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The Codex Leicester (also briefly known as Codex Hammer) is a collection of largely scientific writings by Leonardo da Vinci. The codex is named after Thomas Coke, later created Earl of Leicester, who purchased it in 1719. Of Leonardo's 30 scientific journals, the Codex may be the most famous of all. The manuscript holds the record for the sale price of any book, when it was sold to Bill Gates at Christie's auction house on 11 November 1994 in New York for US$30,802,500.
The Codex provides an insight into the inquiring mind of the definitive Renaissance artist, scientist and thinker as well as an exceptional illustration of the link between art and science and the creativity of the scientific process.
The manuscript does not take the form of a single linear script, but is rather a mixture of Leonardo's observations and theories on astronomy; the properties of water, rocks, and fossils; air, and celestial light. The topics addressed include:
The Codex was sold to Bill Gates by Christie's auction house on 11 November 1994 in New York for US$30,802,500. After Gates acquired the Codex, he had its pages scanned into digital image files, some of which were later distributed as screen saver and wallpaper files on a CD-ROM as Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95. A comprehensive CD-ROM version (simply titled Leonardo da Vinci) was released by Corbis in 1997.
The Codex is put on public display once a year in a different city around the world.
In 2000, it was displayed at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum.
In 2004, it was exhibited in the Château de Chambord, and in 2005 in Tokyo.
One page was exhibited at the Seattle Museum of Flight's 2006 exhibit "Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius."
From June to August 2007, the codex was the centerpiece of a two-month exhibition hosted by the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, Ireland.
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The Codex Leicester (also briefly known as Codex Hammer) is a collection of largely scientific writings by Leonardo da Vinci. The codex is named after Thomas Coke, later created Earl of Leicester, who purchased it in 1719. Of Leonardo's 30 scientific journals, the Codex may be the most famous of all. The manuscript holds the record for the sale price of any book, when it was sold to Bill Gates at Christie's auction house on 11 November 1994 in New York for US$30,802,500.
The Codex provides an insight into the inquiring mind of the definitive Renaissance artist, scientist and thinker as well as an exceptional illustration of the link between art and science and the creativity of the scientific process.
The manuscript does not take the form of a single linear script, but is rather a mixture of Leonardo's observations and theories on astronomy; the properties of water, rocks, and fossils; air, and celestial light. The topics addressed include:
- an explanation of why fossils can be found on mountains. Hundreds of years before plate tectonics became accepted scientific theory, Leonardo believed that mountains had previously formed sea beds, which were gradually lifted until they formed mountains.
- the movement of water. This is the main topic of the Leicester Codex. Among other things, Leonardo wrote about the flow of water in rivers, and how it is affected by different obstacles put in its way. From his observations he made recommendations about bridge construction and erosion.
- the luminosity of the moon. Leonardo speculated that the moon's surface is covered by water, which reflects light from the sun. In this model, waves on the water's surface cause the light to be reflected in many directions, explaining why the moon is not as bright as the sun. Leonardo explained that the pale glow on the dark portion of the crescent moon is caused by sunlight reflected from the Earth. Thus, he described the phenomenon of planetshine one hundred years before the German astronomer, Johannes Kepler, proved it.
The Codex was sold to Bill Gates by Christie's auction house on 11 November 1994 in New York for US$30,802,500. After Gates acquired the Codex, he had its pages scanned into digital image files, some of which were later distributed as screen saver and wallpaper files on a CD-ROM as Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95. A comprehensive CD-ROM version (simply titled Leonardo da Vinci) was released by Corbis in 1997.
The Codex is put on public display once a year in a different city around the world.
In 2000, it was displayed at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum.
In 2004, it was exhibited in the Château de Chambord, and in 2005 in Tokyo.
One page was exhibited at the Seattle Museum of Flight's 2006 exhibit "Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius."
From June to August 2007, the codex was the centerpiece of a two-month exhibition hosted by the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, Ireland.
[.....]
World’s Most Expensive Printed Book - “The Bay Psalm Book” - Sells For $14.2 mn
Scribbled Draft Lyrics of Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” Sells for Record $2 Million
Rorke's Drift: Rare Account Of Zulu Battle Written The Day After Sells For £15k
Original Magna Carta Copy Found In Sandwich Archive
Shakespeare First Folio discovered In French Library
'American Pie' Lyrics Sell For $1.2 million In New York
Alan Turing Manuscript Sells For $1 million
Beatles’ First Recording Contract to Be Auctioned For An Estimated $150,000
Queen Marks Magna Carta Anniversary
Shakespeare First Folio found on Scottish Isle of Bute
The Book Of Kells: A Medieval Treasure
William Shakespeare Folios Net $3.6 Million At Christie’s
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Press Pass for the Spanish Civil War Found
Letter From Paul McCartney To Prince Sells For $15K
The Voynich Manuscript: World's Most Mysterious Manuscript To Be Released
500-Year-Old Hidden Images Revealed In Mexican 'Manuscript'
John Lennon MBE Return Letter Valued At £60k
