Sotheby’s Geek Week Showcases Rare Dinosaur Fossils and Martian Meteorites

From July 8 to 15, 2025, Sotheby’s, the renowned auction house located on the Upper East Side of New York City, is transforming into a temporary museum with its inaugural 'Geek Week.' This unique event features an exceptional collection of natural history artifacts, scientific wonders, and space exploration memorabilia, including a six-foot-tall juvenile Ceratosaurus and the largest known piece of Mars on Earth—a 54-pound Martian meteorite.

Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman of Science and Natural History, stated that the Ceratosaurus fossil, approximately 150 million years old and discovered in Wyoming in 1996, is one of only four known specimens of this species. It is expected to fetch between $4 million and $6 million at auction. The dinosaur's reconstruction includes some ceramic components to replace missing pieces, showcasing the intricate work that goes into preserving such rare finds.

In addition to the dinosaur, the auction will include over 100 items from various collectors, featuring dinosaur skulls, claws, meteorites, a 4,000-year-old stone axe, and stunning iridescent mineral slices. The Martian meteorite, which is believed to have originated from an asteroid strike, traveled approximately 140 million miles to reach Earth, landing in the Sahara Desert. Hatton explained, “That chunk had to be loose enough to break off, and then it had to get on the right trajectory to travel. Then it had to land in a spot where someone could find it.” The meteorite’s extraterrestrial origin was confirmed through gas analysis conducted by scientists, comparing it to data from NASA’s Viking lander from 1976.

The auction will also showcase artifacts linked to space travel, including objects owned by astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Among these is what Hatton describes as the finest operational Apple-1 computer in existence, one of only 50 machines hand-built by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs in 1976. The Apple-1, which played a pivotal role in the history of computing, is expected to garner significant interest from collectors and tech enthusiasts alike.

Hatton noted that despite Sotheby’s reputation for high-end art sales, Geek Week highlights the auction house's broader scope as a purveyor of extraordinary collectibles. “I go from scientific books and manuscripts to tech, dinosaurs, minerals, meteorites, space exploration,” she remarked, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of the items on display.

Sotheby’s Geek Week is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except on Sundays when it opens at 1 p.m. No prior reservation is required to view these remarkable artifacts.

As the event unfolds, it serves not only as an exhibition of rare collectibles but also as a reminder of the intersection between art, science, and history, resonating with audiences in a uniquely engaging manner. The event reflects a growing trend in the collectibles market, where the appeal of unique and scientifically significant items continues to captivate a diverse audience.

Sotheby’s Geek Week represents a blend of culture, history, and science, offering a unique opportunity for the public to engage with the extraordinary stories behind these artifacts both before and after their auction. For collectors and enthusiasts, this event is a rare chance to witness such unique items that span millions of years and light-years, all within the prestigious walls of Sotheby’s auction house.