Newton, Darwin & Galileo

The first among equals of the grouping is a beautiful first edition, second issue copy of Sir Isaac Newton's most famous and important work, Philosophiæ naturalis principia mathematica, London: 1687, the book that Printing andtThe Mind of Man rightly called the "greatest work in the history of science." It is estimated to bring $150,000+.

"It's impossible to calculate the impact of Newton's Principia on the world we live in," said James Gannon, Director of Rare Books at Heritage Auctions. "This is where Newton formulated the three laws of motion from which he derived the principle of universal gravitation. The second issue of the first edition is much rarer than the first issue, making it even more special to be offering this book."

Not far behind in terms of importance to modern day thought, and certainly one of the most controversial books ever written, is a fine first edition copy of Darwin's Origin of Species, London: 1859, easily the most important biology book ever penned, estimated at $125,000+.

"More than 150 years after he first published Origin of Species, Darwin's name is still a catchword for controversy," said Joe Fay, Manager of Rare Books at Heritage Auctions. "Darwin completely turned the world of science on its head with his revelations of evolution and natural order. For an advanced collector this book is going to make a great cornerstone."

Another intriguing and important science text is an excellent copy of the first edition in Latin of Galileo's Dialogo, containing the argument that the Earth revolves around the sun, printed in Strassburg in 1635. It is estimated to bring $30,000+.

Important historical works play a significant role in the Heritage Rare Books auction, with an amazing 1842-49 very rare colored issue of David Roberts' The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia, expected to lead the way with a pre-auction estimate of $250,000+. This amazing work was made from drawings Roberts made on the spot in the Holy Land.

Also on offer, a beautiful set of one of the greatest American color-plate books, Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall's History of the Indian Tribes of North America with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs Embellished with One Hundred and Twenty Portraits presents a greatly desirable piece of American history, estimated to bring $100,000+

A Fourth Folio edition of Shakespeare's plays, Mr. William Shakespear's Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies, Published according to the true Original Copies, London: 1685, is bound to intrigue collectors, given that it is easily the most stately of all the Shakespeare Folios, and carries a pre-auction estimate of $135,000+.

Also of great importance in terms of the history of storytelling and fine printing in the English language is a simply magnificent 1896 Kelmscott Press edition of The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, Hammersmith: 1896.

"This is one of approximately 50 copies bound by The Doves Bindery in full white pigskin," said Gannon. "Perhaps more importantly, the binding was designed by Arts & Crafts luminary William Morris. There may well be no more desirable book from the fine press movement. It was certainly the pinnacle of achievement at Kelmscott Press."

Rare American fiction is in evidence at the Heritage sale with an extremely scarce first edition first issue of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven and Other Poems. New York: 1845, just one of 750 copies printed, and this copy is in the original printed wrappers. It carries a pre-auction estimate of $100,000+.

Further highlights include, but are not limited to:

Hartmann Schedel, Liber chronicarum. Nuremberg: 1493:

Always an important event when a copy comes to auction, this very tall copy in a near contemporary German binding of the first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, the most extensively illustrated book of the 15th century, and one of the most important books in history. Estimate: $100,000+.

Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language... In two volumes. New York: 1828: First edition, uncut, in the original boards, with a four-page manuscript in Webster's hand concerning word origins. Webster manuscripts related to his dictionary are noteworthy as they are exceedingly scarce. Estimate: $35,000+.

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution… New-York: 1788: First volume of the first edition, uncut and unrestored with the original rear drab board attached. The most famous and influential American political work. Estimate: $30,000+

Ignatius Sancho, Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, An African. London: 1803: Fifth edition, with 15 original autograph letters signed by Sancho. Part of The John Ralph Willis Collection of Rare Africana. A unique and extraordinary item of considerable historical significance. Estimate: $15,000+.

Albert Einstein. Mein Weltbild. Amsterdam: 1934. First edition. Presentation copy, inscribed by Albert Einstein to his friend and mentor, Max Talmey on the front free endpaper. In a 1934 first edition presentation copy of his seminal book, Mein Weltbild, or The World As I See It, Einstein's inscription to his longtime mentor and friend, Max Talmey, brings full circle the lives of the two men as Einstein writes: "What I let slip carelessly / the Devil kept. /Mr. Talmey with/best wishes on your birthday./A Einstein/1934". Estimate: $8,000+.

Heritage Auctions, headed by Steve Ivy, Jim Halperin and Greg Rohan, is the world’s third largest auction house, with annual sales more than $600 million, and 475,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.