A copy of the first edition of Principia Mathematica by Sir Isaac Newton, which states the laws of motion and universal gravitation, was recently auctioned for over $3.7 million. The book, published in the year 1687, has become the most expensive printed scientific book ever auctioned.

According to the auction house Christie's, the book was described as "perhaps the greatest intellectual stride that it has ever been granted to any man to make." It was bought for nearly two and a half times more than its highest estimate.

The auction was held at Christie's New York office and raised a total of $9.3 million. Principia Mathematica was just one of the fine books and manuscripts auctioned at the event on Wednesday night.

Out of a total 400 of the edition of the book produced originally, only 80 are thought to have been published. The continental edition was intended to be distributed on the European mainland by Samuel Smith and bears some differences from the British edition.

The society, however, retains two copies of the book which include the original manuscript that was used as the basis to print further copies in 1687. The society describes the manuscript as its "greatest treasure."

Edmund Halley, the famous astronomer after whom the Halley's comet was named, played a role in getting Newton's work published. He went out of his way to encourage Newton to produce a single copy penning down his ideas. Halley edited the work and paid for the printing from his own pocket when the Royal Society ran out of funds.

Newton's book is mostly popular for the laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation that he stated using mathematics and physics.

Keith Moore, the head of the Royal Society library, agreed that the work is a "benchmark in human thought."

According to Christie's, other sale highlights included nine lots of correspondence to the Marquis de Chastellux, featuring six letters by George Washington and three by Thomas Jefferson. The Guardian reported that they sold for a total of $1.1 million.