Science and Natural History

Christie’s Science and Natural History auctions feature an extraordinary range of objects and artefacts, from billion-year-old fossils to astrolabes and WWII Enigma machines. Representing some of the most important scientific discoveries of the modern world, our auctions also encompass rare books, scientific instruments, minerals and meteorites.

A dedicated live auction is held once a year at our London saleroom, alongside several online auctions throughout the year. Recent auctions have seen exceptional prices achieved for pieces from a variety of disciplines, including a landmark dinosaur auction at Christie’s in 2024.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free and confidential valuation, or to simply discuss the market.

Skeletons of two dinosaurs displayed against a dark background, one large and one small, both mounted on metal stands.

Upcoming auctions

VIEW PAST AUCTIONS

26 Nov - 12 Dec
Online
Skybreakers: Between Heaven and Earth
New York
11 Dec
Live
Groundbreakers: Icons of our Time
London

Skybreakers: Between Heaven an auction at Christies

26 Nov - 12 Dec

Online

Skybreakers: Between Heaven and Earth

New York

Groundbreakers: Icons of our T auction at Christies

11 Dec

Live

Groundbreakers: Icons of our Time

London

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Contact us

From free valuations to market advice, our specialists are here to answer your questions.

James Hyslop
Head of Department, Science & Natural History
+44 (0) 20 7752 3205
jhyslop@christies.com
London
James has been Christie’s specialist for Science & Natural History since 2007, and head of Department since 2012.

His first auction at Christie’s was the highly successful pair of Blaeu globes sold in Amsterdam in 2008 for a world record price (€793,850). Other early highlights include the silver armillary sphere in the Yves Saint Laurent sale (€781,000) and the silver simple microscope by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek in 2009 (£313,250). James’ strong personal interest in Geology has resulted in the growth of Natural History sales over the years culminating in the world record price for a Dinosaur with STAN in October 2020 ($31,847,500). With the advent of online sales, he was the first to launch dedicated history of science and technology sales, in June 2013 an Apple-1 personal computer sold for $387,750 in the sale First Bytes: Iconic Technology from the Twentieth Century, followed by a world record price for an enigma machine in November 2014 Code Breakers: Enigmas and Other Cipher Machines for $365,000. Recent sales of note include a record price for a meteorite at auction (£525,000) in the Exceptional sale 8 July 2021 and a world record for a dinosaur skull (£500,000) in 12-26 October 2021 online auction.

A graduate of Jesus College, Cambridge, James speaks English and French; he previously worked for a UK science museum and has sat on the committee of the Scientific Instrument Society.
Thais Hitchins
Junior Specialist
+44 (0) 7771380779
thitchins@christies.com
London
Rachel McLaughlin
Sale Coordinator
+44 7867180998
rmclaughlin@christies.com
London
Emily Pilling
Senior Sale Coordinator
+44 (0) 207 389 2151
epilling@christies.com
London