Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Lot #402
Gregor Mendel Document Signed - Imperial-
Royal Lower Realschule Certificate

Gregor Mendel signs an 1859 school certificate for “Natural Science,” amidst his foundational experiments in genetics

Estimate: $20000+

The 30 Minute Rule begins November 11 at 7:00 PM EST. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By November 11 at 6:00 PM EST To Participate After 6:00 PM EST

Server Time: 10/15/2026 09:03:43 AM EDT
Sell a Similar Item?
Refer Collections and Get Paid
Share:  

Description

Gregor Mendel signs an 1859 school certificate for “Natural Science,” amidst his foundational experiments in genetics

Austrian biologist and friar (1822–1884) known for his experiments in the crossbreeding of pea plants, which established many of the rules of heredity; today, he is remembered as the founder of the modern science of genetics. Partly-printed DS, in German, signed “Gr. Mendel,” one page, 10.75 x 17.25, July 30, 1859. “Schul-Zeugniß” (“School Certificate”) for the pupil Theodor Horsky of the second class at the Imperial-Royal Lower Realschule in Brünn. Mendel grades his performance in “Naturlehre” (“Natural Science”) as “recht gut” (“quite good”), signing in the rightmost column. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, small edge splits, and faint staining to the edges.

From 1854 onward, Mendel served for fourteen years as an assistant teacher in Brünn, instructing students in physics and natural history. During these same years, he carried out the botanical investigations that would lead to his formulation of the fundamental laws of heredity. The present document dates from the midst of this decisive period: by 1859, Mendel was already engaged in his systematic experiments with pea plants in the monastery garden at Altbrünn, work he pursued for years before presenting his results to the Brünn Natural History Society in 1865. Certificates and documents from his years as a schoolteacher are therefore of particular interest, showing Mendel in the context of his everyday professional life as an educator while he was simultaneously conducting the experiments that would lay the foundations of modern genetics.

Auction Info






This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for $300.00

*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.

Third-party authentication service applies only to signatures and handwriting, and does not cover the addition of sketches, artwork, musical quotations, etc.