Copernicus' work-of-art sold for 2,2 million dollars

The famous work-of-art of Polish astronomer Nicholas Copernicus " De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" ( On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres) was sold for 2,2 million dollars on the auction in the NY Christie's House. The buyer paid almost the double of the estiamting cost.

They calculated that the old print published in 400-500 copies in 1543 in Norymberg will be sold on tuesday auction for 900 thousand- 1.2 million dollars (equal value to the average apartment in Manhattan).
The codition of the book, whose publishing the Christie's House called "the most important scientific paper of the XVI century ", is remarkably good. The print contains 202 pages, 148 diagrams, calculation tables and decorative initials.
In Poland we have 12 copies of the first edition, or one fewer if the old print that had been stolen in 1998 from the Library of the Polish Academy of Science in Cracow, was sent abroad.

Unfortunately, very rich collection of Copernicus works (written in the testament of Warmińska Bishopric) and one of the first publication "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres" from the Colegium of the Society of Jesus in Braniewo had been captured by Swedes who spoiled the Library in Frombork and Colegium of Hozjos in Braniewo.