10 of the most valuable pieces of Stephen Hawking memorabilia
Stephen Hawking is one of the most celebrated physicists of our time.
His groundbreaking work on black holes, cosmology, and the nature of space and time has earned him numerous awards, accolades, and a place in popular culture.
Hawking's legacy continues to inspire new generations of scientists and thinkers, and his memorabilia has become a sought-after commodity at auction.
Here are 10 of the most valuable pieces of Stephen Hawking memorabilia that have sold at auction:
1. Stephen Hawking's signed thesis:
In 1966, a 24-year-old Hawking submitted his doctoral thesis on the properties of black holes. The thesis was later published as a book, but only a few copies were made. In 2018, one of the original copies signed by Hawking sold for £584,750 ($767,000) at Christie's.
2. Stephen Hawking's wheelchair:
Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21 and relied on a wheelchair for mobility. In 2019, his motorized wheelchair sold for £296,750 ($393,000) at Christie's.
3. Stephen Hawking's signed copy of A Brief History of Time:
Hawking's best-selling book A Brief History of Time has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. In 2018, a signed copy of the book sold for £68,750 ($90,000) at Christie's.
4. Stephen Hawking's script for The Simpsons:
Hawking made several appearances on the popular TV show The Simpsons, and even had a speaking role in one episode. In 2018, a script for his episode signed by Hawking sold for £8,125 ($10,700) at Christie's.
5. Stephen Hawking's bomber jacket:
Hawking was known for his casual style and often wore a bomber jacket. In 2018, his personal jacket sold for £40,000 ($52,000) at Christie's.
6. Stephen Hawking's voice synthesizer:
Hawking used a computerized voice synthesizer to communicate after losing the ability to speak due to his ALS. In 2018, his original voice synthesizer sold for £296,750 ($391,000) at Christie's.
7. Stephen Hawking's letter to an admirer:
In 2018, a letter Hawking wrote to an admirer sold for £3,750 ($4,900) at Christie's. The letter included Hawking's thoughts on the possibility of time travel and the nature of the universe.
8. Stephen Hawking's signed photo with Isaac Newton's chair:
Hawking was a professor of mathematics at the University of Cambridge, and held the same position once occupied by Sir Isaac Newton. In 2018, a photo of Hawking sitting in Newton's chair sold for £13,750 ($18,100) at Christie's.
9. Stephen Hawking's signed copy of The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time:
In 2018, a signed copy of the book that Hawking co-authored with G.F.R. Ellis sold for £3,500 ($4,600) at Christie's.
10. Stephen Hawking's medals and awards:
Hawking received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2018, his collection of medals and awards sold for £296,750 ($391,000) at Christie's.
These 10 pieces of Stephen Hawking memorabilia provide a glimpse into the life and legacy of one of the greatest scientists of our time.
From his groundbreaking work on black holes to his popular books and TV, collectors are in awe of him and bidding big at auction.
Further reading:
The Celebrity Memorabilia Index.
About your Author:
Adrian Roose has over 30 years’ experience covering all aspects of the rare stamp & memorabilia industry during which he has sold over £50m of unique items, helping build collections for Royalty, household name celebrities and 1,000s of collectors around the world.
Adrian was previously a Director at Stanley Gibbons, a Board Member of Stampex, and Executive Director of Paul Fraser Collectibles, PFC Auctions and JustCollecting, prior to founding The Memorabilia Club.