ID 887899
Lot 121 | Bumper number of Nature on DNA [-] next week I think
Estimate value
$ 8 000 – 12 000
Two pages, rectos only, 200 x 124mm. Fine condition. On Biophysics Research Unit stationery, King’s College London.
“Bumper number of Nature on DNA next week I think.”
Great letter penned just a few days before the landmark Nature article hit the newsstands. Wilkins compares four of Hamilton’s DNA specimens and their relative crystallinity and requests 50mgm more of his favorite: S180. In part: “DNA S180 is very good, crystalline ^like the best Signer specimen of calf thymus we have. Could you send us more of this? It has some salt in it, do you know what is likely [-] Na or Mg or what? … If you could send ~50 mgm of S180 we can do its nucleotide ratio, water uptake etc & dialyse the salt out. Can you spare that much? (or more) …
Bumper number of Nature on DNA next week I think. My contribution is hastily and badly written. / Can you let us know method of DNA prep? We are interested to find what produces crystallinity. Or is it a trade secret? If it is don’t worry.” On the second page is a table of four DNA samples and their results: the S180 and three others—less desirable—all from human white blood cells.
| Artist: | Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins (1916 - 2004) |
|---|---|
| Place of origin: | United Kingdom |
| Auction house category: | Letters, documents and manuscripts |
| Artist: | Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins (1916 - 2004) |
|---|---|
| Place of origin: | United Kingdom |
| Auction house category: | Letters, documents and manuscripts |
| Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Preview |
| |
| Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
| Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
| Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |
![Bumper number of Nature on DNA [-] next week I think - photo 1 Bumper number of Nature on DNA [-] next week I think - photo 1](/assets/image/picture_2660775/53a21/um9q4oeihgl7iw-upnifnlbtzn5u2h10r-o7vzbjheu1ijqkuxe8bdwoqlixoofo1674694114jpg__fix_555_460.jpeg)


![“They are the best [DNA] specimens we have had from anywhere”](/assets/image/picture_2660780/1a7f5/wtqxsgckh1utttpjz81lkszp-kdnfcaybbwjqjldhyieuoi-f2a-ptsya9jk2i1674694167jpg__fix_162_205.jpeg)





![Bumper number of Nature on DNA [-] next week I think - photo 1 Bumper number of Nature on DNA [-] next week I think - photo 1](/cache/lot/887899/um9q4oeIHgL7iW-UpNIfNLbTzn5U2H10r-o7VZbjheu1iJQKuXe8bDWOQliXOofO_1674694114-80x80_center_50.jpg)
