Pawn Stars: Isaac Newton’s RARE Book DEFIES the Odds (Season 3) | History

Pawn Stars
2 Mar 202105:32
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRA man brings a book from Isaac Newton's library, published in 1546, to a pawn shop. The book, on geology and mining, is believed to be valuable due to Newton's connection. Though not in its original binding, the book plate confirms Newton's ownership. An expert appraises it at $20,000, but the man sells it for $7,000, satisfied with the deal and the prospect of dinner included.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The script revolves around a book that once belonged to Isaac Newton, a renowned scientist.
  • 🗓️ The book was printed in 1546, making it quite old and potentially valuable.
  • 🍏 The common story of an apple falling on Newton's head and leading to his theory of gravity is a myth; the actual event was an apple falling from a tree.
  • 📖 The book's subject is geology and mining, showing Newton's interest in these fields.
  • 🇱🇹 The text of the book is in Latin, indicating its historical and scholarly nature.
  • 🏛️ The book has a bookplate indicating it was stored at Newton's location in England, Barnsley Park.
  • 🔍 Newton's unique practice of turning corners of pages is observed in this book, suggesting his personal use.
  • 💰 The book is believed to be worth thousands if it indeed belonged to Newton.
  • 🔎 The book's authenticity and connection to Newton are confirmed by an expert in the field.
  • 📉 The book's value is somewhat diminished due to it not having its original binding and being restored in the 1700s.
  • 💵 The appraised retail value of the book is estimated to be twenty thousand dollars.
  • 🤝 After negotiation, the book is sold for seven thousand dollars, with the seller also receiving a dinner offer.
Q & A

  • What is the significance of the book mentioned in the script?

    -The book is significant because it belonged to Isaac Newton's library and was published in 1546, making it a historical item with a connection to one of the greatest thinkers of all time.

  • What is the common misconception about Isaac Newton and gravity?

    -The common misconception is that an apple falling on Newton's head led to his discovery of gravity. In reality, he observed an apple falling from a tree and this inspired his work on gravity.

  • What is the book's subject matter?

    -The book is about geology and mining, topics that Newton was very interested in.

  • Why was the book written in Latin?

    -The book was written in Latin because it was the scholarly language of the time, and it would have been accessible to the higher educated people who were interested in the subject matter.

  • What does the book plate in the front cover of the book indicate?

    -The book plate indicates the case location and Barnsley Park in England, where the book was stored, and it also shows Newton's shelf number, J9-S7.

  • What is the condition of the book's binding?

    -The book's binding is not original; it was restored and re-backed, likely in the 1700s.

  • Why was alchemy considered dangerous during the time the book was written?

    -Alchemy was considered dangerous and akin to witchcraft because it involved changing different minerals into gold, a practice that was not well understood and feared by the general population.

  • What is the estimated retail value of the book according to the expert?

    -The expert estimates the book's retail value to be twenty thousand dollars.

  • What was the final selling price of the book in the script?

    -The final selling price of the book was seven thousand dollars, after a negotiation between the seller and the buyer.

  • What is the significance of the turned corners in the book?

    -The turned corners are a method that Isaac Newton used to save pages in many of his books, indicating that he had likely read and studied the content.

  • What is the profession of the person who appraised the book in the script?

    -The person who appraised the book is the owner of Academy Fine Books in Las Vegas and has been in the book business for over 30 years.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Isaac Newton's Geological Book Discovery

A man brings a book from Isaac Newton's library to a pawn shop, claiming it was found among his father's belongings. The book, printed in 1546, is about geology and mining, and is written in Latin. The man believes it to be valuable due to Newton's association with it. The book plate and turned corners suggest Newton's ownership, and the appraiser confirms this, noting Newton's interest in alchemy and the book's connection to it. Despite the book having been restored in the 1700s, it is deemed a rare and valuable piece, with an estimated retail value of twenty thousand dollars.

05:08
💰 Successful Sale of Newton's Book

After the book's authenticity and connection to Isaac Newton are confirmed, the man decides to sell it. Although he believes it could be worth more, he is pleased with the offer of seven thousand dollars, which he accepts. The seller expresses satisfaction with the deal, knowing that the buyer will appreciate the book's historical significance and the seller himself will enjoy the additional benefit of a dinner included in the agreement.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton is a pivotal figure in the history of science, known for his laws of motion and universal gravitation. In the video, his significance is highlighted by the book's connection to him, suggesting its historical and potential monetary value. The script mentions Newton's contributions to various fields, including the story of the apple and gravity, which is a common anecdote associated with his discovery of the law of universal gravitation.
💡Book
The book is the central object in the video, purportedly from Isaac Newton's library, and is the reason for the visit to the pawn shop. It is described as an old and potentially valuable item, with the script emphasizing its age, condition, and historical significance. The book's content is about geology and mining, and it is written in Latin, adding to its intrigue and value.
💡1546
The year 1546 is mentioned as the publication date of the book, indicating its antiquity. This date places the book in the Renaissance period, which was a time of significant cultural and scientific advancements. The script uses this date to underscore the book's rarity and historical importance.
💡Pawn Shop
A pawn shop is a place where people can sell or pawn items, often for immediate cash. In the video, the protagonist visits a pawn shop to sell the book, which sets the stage for the evaluation and potential sale of the item. The interaction at the pawn shop is central to the narrative, as it is where the book's value is assessed.
💡Geology
Geology is the scientific study of the Earth, its materials, and the processes that shape it. The book in the video is about geology and mining, which reflects Newton's interests beyond physics. This keyword is significant as it provides context for the book's subject matter and Newton's broader intellectual pursuits.
💡Latin
Latin is an ancient Italic language that was the language of the Roman Republic and Empire. The script mentions that the book is written in Latin, which adds to its historical value and suggests that it was intended for a scholarly audience. The use of Latin in the book is an example of the historical and cultural context of the time.
💡Alchemy
Alchemy is an ancient philosophical and protoscientific tradition that aimed to transform base metals into noble ones, especially gold. In the video, the expert mentions that the book was published during a time when alchemy was practiced, and Newton was interested in this field. This keyword is relevant as it ties the book's content to the scientific beliefs and practices of the time.
💡Calculus
Calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with rates of change and slopes of curves. The script notes that Newton 'figured out a funny type of math that we call calculus,' highlighting his contributions to mathematics. This keyword is important as it connects to Newton's broader impact on the field of mathematics.
💡Appraisal
An appraisal is the process of estimating the value of an item, often by a professional. In the video, an expert is called in to appraise the book, determining its authenticity and potential worth. The appraisal is a crucial part of the narrative, as it provides a monetary value to the book and influences the final transaction.
💡Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of minerals, their chemistry and physical properties. The script mentions George Agricola, known as the father of mineralogy, who published the book. This keyword is significant as it provides insight into the book's content and its relevance to the field of geology.
💡Barnsley Park
Barnsley Park is mentioned in the script as the location where the book was stored, indicated by the book plate. This keyword is important as it provides a geographical and historical context to the book's provenance, suggesting its connection to Newton's personal library.
Highlights

The book belonged to Isaac Newton's library and was found in a box with the owner's father's things.

The book was printed in 1546, suggesting it has historical significance.

Isaac Newton is known for his contributions to physics, such as the law of universal gravitation, but the book is about geology and mining.

The common story about Newton discovering gravity from an apple falling on his head is a myth.

The book is written in Latin, showcasing Newton's linguistic abilities.

Isaac Newton was also interested in alchemy, which was considered witchcraft at the time.

The book plate inside the book indicates it was stored at Barnsley Park in England, Newton's case location.

Turned corners in the book are a technique Newton used to save pages, indicating his personal use of the book.

The book's authenticity is confirmed by the shelf number J9-S7, which was Newton's storage method.

The book was restored and re-backed in the 1700s, which affects its originality but not its historical value.

The book is appraised to have a retail value of twenty thousand dollars.

The owner negotiates the sale of the book for seven thousand dollars, including a dinner deal.

The transaction shows the excitement and historical appreciation of owning a piece that belonged to Isaac Newton.

The book's subject matter, geology and mining, reflects Newton's diverse interests beyond physics and mathematics.

The owner's discovery of the book in their father's belongings highlights the serendipity of finding valuable historical items.

The expert's authentication process demonstrates the importance of provenance in determining the value of rare books.

The negotiation between the owner and the buyer illustrates the subjective nature of valuing historical artifacts.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Pawn Stars: All Time Historic Items (6 Amazing Pieces of American History) | History

Isaac Newton: His life and Work - Simon Schaffer 1983

Pawn Stars: A Very Rare 1944 Silver Coin (Season 13) | History

Game Theory Scene | 21(2008) | Now Playing

Understanding Universal law of Gravitation!

Pawn Stars: VERY RARE 1922 COIN IS HOLY GRAIL OF CURRENCY (Season 10) | History

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
Isaac NewtonBook AppraisalAntique BookAlchemyMineralogyHistorical ArtifactPawn ShopLatin TextScientific LegacyRare Find