“TOP SECRET”

Lot 127
27.01.2023 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 13 860
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 887905
Lot 127 | “TOP SECRET”
Estimate value
$ 8 000 – 12 000
CRICK, Francis (1916-2004). Autograph letter signed (“Francis”) to Leonard Hamilton, Cambridge, 16 July 1955.

Two pages recto and verso, 163 x 203mm (mild creasing, rusted paper clip). On Cavendish Laboratory stationery, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge; autograph envelope preserved addressed to Hamilton c/o Maurice Wilkins at M.R.C. (heavily creased).

“TOP SECRET.” A gossipy letter from Crick to Hamilton mentioning Jim Watson, J.R. Randall, DNA, and Maurice Wilkins. In part, “Unfortunately I’m leaving England for Switzerland on Tuesday so I shall just miss you. However Odile will be here, so if you were to visit Cambridge we can always put you up. Jim Watson will also be here, or at any rate when you arrive, but you’ll have to come to Cambridge to see him, as Randall wont give him a Visa to visit Kings! We haven’t seen Maurice here for a long time—no passport, presumably. Alex Rich is also here. / I’ll be at Brussels, so we shall certainly meet there … How would you react to the idea of supplying us with some of your DNA?” The envelope is marked twice in all caps, red pen, “Top Secret.”
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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SW1Y 6QT London
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13.01.2023 – 27.01.2023
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