Codex Leicester

The Codex Leicester (also briefly known as the Codex Hammer) is a collection of scientific writings by Leonardo da Vinci. The codex is named after Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester, who purchased it in 1717. The codex provides an insight into the mind of the Renaissance artist, scientist and thinker, as well as an exceptional illustration of the link between art and science and the creativity of the scientific process. When the manuscript was last sold—to Bill Gates at Christie's auction house on 11 November 1994 in New York for US$30,802,500 (equivalent to $63,320,092 in 2023)—it was the most expensive manuscript ever sold.