Lot 119
Lot 119
Property of the Leonard D. Hamilton Estate
“We have the hell of a lot of data on DNA but not very much idea—just now—what it means"

Maurice Wilkins, 28 February 1953

    Price Realised USD 23,940
    Estimate
    USD 4,000 - USD 6,000
    Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
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    “We have the hell of a lot of data on DNA but not very much idea—just now—what it means"

    Maurice Wilkins, 28 February 1953

    Price Realised USD 23,940
    Register
    Price Realised USD 23,940
    Register
    Details
    WILKINS, Maurice (1916-2004). Autograph letter signed (with initial “M” and headed “M.H.F. Wilkins”) to Leonard Hamilton, London, 28 February 1953.

    One page, 168 x 198mm. (Slight creasing, fine condition.) On Biophysics Research Unit stationery, King’s College London.

    “We have the hell of a lot of data on DNA but not very much idea—just now—what it means except that Pauling’s theory is utter cock.”

    Exciting letter written almost simultaneously to the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA; and acknowledging the work of Harriett Ephrussi-Taylor. In full: “Please send DNA. If it has not been completely freed from salt maybe so much the better. Is it human, we specially want human. We now have good crystalline pictures off Mrs Ephrussi-Taylor’s Transform Principle. We have the hell of a lot of data ^on DNA but not very much idea ^just now what it means except that Pauling’s theory is utter cock. / Maybe I will be over for Gordon Conf. but the bastards didn’t invite me. Randall has two U.S. invitations & as he doesn’t see how he can ^quite make 4 Atlantic crossings in 2 months he nicely relinquished one for me. All best wishes & to Ann & the family. It was very nice seeing you last summer.”
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