Einstein Notes With Sketches of Relativity Theory Sold in Paris Auction for $13 Million

A page of the Einstein-Besso manuscript, a 54-page working manuscript written jointly by Albert Einstein and Michele Besso between June 1913 and early 1914, which documents a crucial stage in the development of the general theory of relativity, is displayed at Christie's auction house in Paris, France on Nov. 22, 2021. Antony Paone/Reuters

PARIS—A manuscript co-authored by Albert Einstein, offering a rare insight into the legendary physicist’s thinking leading up to his general theory of relativity, was sold in an auction on Tuesday for 11.7 million euros ($13.17 million).

Auction house Christie’s had estimated the value of the manuscript at between 2 million and 3 million euros.