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Turing papers could be saved after auction fail

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Reserve not met...

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Bootnotes, 23rd November 2010 15:40 GMT

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The Turing papers - the almost complete collection of the great codebreaker's writings - failed to reach their reserve price at auction today.

Bidders at Christie's pushed the price up to £240,000, but that was lower than the minimum price set by the seller.

Google had offered $100,000 towards any purchase, and Bletchley Park's fundraising had found another £20,000.

The failure to sell might mean the museum can do a private deal with the seller and save the archive for the nation.

The papers include 15 of his 18 published works and were collected by friend and fellow code-breaker Professor Max Newman.

Any private deal will likely need more money - anyone fancy chucking in another £300,000 or so?

We've left messages with Christie's and will update when we hear more.

Today also sees an Enigma machine and an Apple I go on sale. ®

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