Francis Crick Twice-Signed Copy of ''Nature'' from 1953, the First Offprint of His Articles Announcing the Discovery of DNA

"We wish to suggest a structure for the salt of deoxyribose nucleic acid (D.N.A.). This structure has novel features which are of considerable biological interest. It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material." 

Very rare offprint of ''Nature'' from 1953, containing the two groundbreaking articles announcing the discovery of DNA, here signed by co-author Francis Crick, who won the Nobel Prize in 1962 for what's considered the most important scientific discovery of the 20th century. London: MacMillan and Co., 1953. Collectible in its own right, this offprint representing the first separate edition of the 25 April 1953 ''Nature'' articles, is further unique as twice-signed by Francis Crick: first at the conclusion of the article ''Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids: A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid'' on page 738, and then again at the beginning of the article ''Genetical Implications of the Structure of Deoxyribonucleic Acid'', which contains a diagram of the DNA double helix, on page 964. Book measures 7.25'' x 10'', containing all the ''Nature'' articles published from January-June 1953, including others by Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin. Bound in red boards with gilt stamp of Boston Public Library on front board. Light shelf wear, overall very good to near fine condition. Scarce.

First separate edition (offprint) of the three papers announcing the discovery of the structure of DNA, one of the most important scientific achievements of the century.

The three landmark articles (including an illustration of the double helix), appeared together in the April 25, 1953 issue of Nature. Realizing the significant of the articles, the publisher took the highly unusual step of publishing the offprint with the three articles together. Few copies were printed and the offprint is of great rarity on the market.

Watson, James D.; Crick, Francis. Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids, A Structure for Dexyribose Nucleic Acid. WITH: Wilkins, M.H.F.; Stokes, A.R.; Wilson, H.R. Molecular Structure of Deoxypentose Nucleic Acids. WITH: Franklin, Rosalind E.; Gosling, R.G.; Molecular Configuration in Sodium Thymonucleate. Offprint from Nature, vol 171, p.737ff, April 25, 1953. 14pp. St. Albans: Fisher, Knight & Co., Ltd, 1953. Original self-wrappers. Fine condition. 

This article is often termed a "pearl" of science because it is brief and contains the answer to a fundamental mystery about living organisms. This mystery was the question of how it is possible that genetic instructions are held inside organisms and how they are passed from generation to generation. The article presents a simple and elegant solution, which surprised many biologists at the time who believed that DNA transmission was going to be more difficult to deduce and understand. The discovery had a major impact on biology, particularly in the field of genetics, enabling later researchers to understand the genetic code."

Here is the situation. This is the original article published in the journal, Nature, 1953. Not only is this the real article but it is actually signed by Francis Crick. Even better, a subsequent article, page 964 is also signed by Francis Crick. Hard to believe, but we came across this a few years ago and decided that we must get this masterpiece and offer it, here for sale.  There are 2 signatures of Francis Crick in this volume.

This is history at its greatest.

By the way, we also have the original article, not signed, for $9,000. If interested, let us know at sales@thednastore.com - or go to: www.thednastore.com/dnastuff/originalarticle.html