First written mention of virtual reality to be sold at Sotheby’s auction

The next Sotheby’s auction, which will take place on February 27, will feature a manuscript of Neil Stephenson’s cult science fiction novel Snowfall (1992). It is believed that the term «metaverse» first appeared in this work.

«This Snow Crash thing-is it a virus, a drug, or a religion?»

Sotheby’s is excited to announce Snow Crash — an offering of physical and digital items connected to the revolutionary 1992 science fiction novel by @nealstephenson. https://t.co/lvqYJKXWuU

Bidding opens February 27. pic.twitter.com/SnkFVhpU1v

— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) February 23, 2023

The lots will also include works by artist Tony Sheader, who drew the graphic novel Dioxin Posse. It was he who inspired Stevenson to create Snowfall.

Sotheby’s reminded that Stevenson’s novel contributed to the popularization of another virtual reality term — «avatar». James Cameron, the Canadian film director, creator of the Avatar dilogy, recognized the science fiction work as the main source of inspiration for his films.

«Neil Stephenson’s Snowfall is one of the pillars of the cyberpunk genre, one of the most important works of modern science fiction. By switching between the Metaverse and Reality, Stevenson’s novel exemplifies the concept of „hyperreality“ as outlined by the French philosopher Jean Baudrillard. As in Baudrillard’s theory, the Metaverse that Stevenson depicts in Snowfall is a fascinating world that is as 'real' as Reality, and yet it is a simulation that does not correspond to anything in the real world,» Sotheby’s press release says.

Auction experts expect the manuscript to sell for $ 40,000−60,000.

It should be noted that Sotheby’s has already participated in auctions related to digital assets. Last fall, it sold 29 out of 81 exhibits of the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art in New York) collection. The goal was to digitize the exposition due to the inability to visit museums due to the coronavirus pandemic.