FIRST EDITION OF THE DOUBLE HELIX, SIGNED BY FRANCIS CRICK AND JAMES WATSON, ADVANCE REVIEW COPY

(CRICK, Francis) WATSON, James D. The Double Helix. A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA. New York: Atheneum, 1968. Octavo, original blue cloth, original dust jacket. $22,500.

First edition, advanced review copy of Watson's controversial personal account of the DNA discovery, signed on the title page by Francis Crick and James D. Watson.

"One of the investigators, more than any of the others, realized the decisive importance of the DNA molecules in biology, and it was this understanding which urged him relentlessly to push this work toward a successful conclusion, in spite of his rather modest technical qualifications for this task" (Mayr, 823). "He has described admirably how it feels to have that frightening and beautiful experience of making a great scientific discovery" (Richard Feynman, winner of the 1965 Nobel Prize for Physics). With numerous diagrams and photographic illustrations, and six pages of facsimiles. Owner signature dated the year of publication. With advance review copy slip laid in.

A few spot of foxing to text block fore-edge; dust jacket with mild wear to spine, evidence of paper clip removal to rear panel. A nearly fine copy, very desirable and rare signed by both Watson and Crick.