The price of an autographed letter is determined by the importance of the signer and the content of the letter. So it is not surprising that a letter written by Francis Harry Compton Crick (1916-2004) telling his son about the discovery of the structure of DNA set a world record for any letter sold at auction, $6,059,750. The letter, written in March 1953, is known as the “Secret of Life” letter. It was sold by Christie’s, New York, on April 10, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2013