A Paris administrative court has provisionally blocked the auction of La Pascaline, an early calculating machine invented by French mathematician Blaise Pascal in 1642. The decision was prompted by an appeal from scientists and researchers who advocated for the instrument's classification as a "national treasure," seeking to grant it heritage protections.
Auction house Christie's had estimated the machine's value between €2 million and €3 million (£1.77 million to £2.65 million) and had previously called it the "most important scientific instrument ever offered at auction." Christie's has since confirmed it will not proceed with the planned bid.
Pascal developed the calculator at age 19, and only nine of these machines are known to be in existence. The official collection description characterizes La Pascaline as "the first attempt in history to substitute the human mind with a machine," recognizing its historical significance. The instrument had been exhibited at Christie's venues in New York and Hong Kong.
The court's provisional ruling on Wednesday temporarily nullified an export authorization previously granted in May by France's culture minister. This certificate had been approved by two experts, including one from the Louvre Museum. The judge cited "serious doubts" regarding the legality of the certificate, as detailed in a statement from the Paris court. The decision remains provisional until a final judgment is delivered.
A spokesperson for Christie's confirmed to AFP news agency that the sale of La Pascaline was suspended, citing the provisional nature of the court's decision and the client's instructions. The court also noted that La Pascaline's historical and scientific value might qualify it as a "national treasure," which would ensure protections under France's heritage code. The French heritage organization Association Sites & Monuments, an applicant in the case, expressed approval of the court's decision.