Christie’s withdraws rare ‘first calculator’ from auction after French court halts export

The GuardianWednesday, November 19, 2025 at 4:49:21 PM
Christie’s withdraws rare ‘first calculator’ from auction after French court halts export
  • Christie's has withdrawn La Pascaline, the first functioning calculating machine, from auction following a French court's decision to halt its export, pending further legal rulings. This rare artifact, created by Blaise Pascal in 1642, was anticipated to fetch over €2 million.
  • The withdrawal signifies a critical moment for the preservation of historical scientific instruments in France, reflecting the nation's commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage and the importance of La Pascaline in the history of mathematics.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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