James Watson and Francis Crick fend amongst the winners receiving their Nobel Prizes in Stockholm in 1962 . From left to right wing : Professor Maurice Williams ; Dr. Max Perutz ; Dr. Francis Crick ; John Steinbeck ; Professor James Watson , and Dr. John C. Kendrew .
… if you have a couple million dollars lying around . harmonize toFine Books & Collections , Dr. James D. Watson ’s 1962 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine medal will be auction by Christie ’s on December 4 ; its estimated value is between $ 2.5 and $ 3.5 million .
For those who need a remembering refresher , Dr. Watson — working alongside Dr. Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins — discovered the double genus Helix bodily structure of desoxyribonucleic acid on February 28 , 1953 . In his 1968 memoirThe Double Helix , Watson describes the excitement of noticing that the shapes of two pairs of the base molecule in DNA were identical . “ Upon [ Crick ’s ] arriver , Francis did not get more than midway through the door before I let free that the resolution to everything was in our hands , ” he wrote .
Watson and Crick published the news of their rotatory discovery in an 800 - word article in the scientific journalNaturethat same class . This led directly to the nascence of molecular biota and , therein , a groundbreaking young approach to forward-looking medicine .
This cut-rate sale marks the first time a living recipient has put his or her Nobel plunder medal up for auction . As such , Watson allege he be after to donate a portion of the proceeds to stick out scientific research , donnish institutions , and other kindly causes :
The computer software up for auction bridge on December 4 will include Watson ’s handwritten notes for his acceptance oral communication at the December 10 , 1962 , feast ceremonial occasion in Stockholm ( worth an estimated $ 300,000 to $ 400,000 ) and his manuscript and corrected drawing for his Nobel Lecture , deliver the follow day ( $ 200,000 to $ 300,000 ) , in addition to the Nobel Prize ribbon itself . fix your checkbooks !
