Hawking's signed thesis, wheelchair auctioned in London

[LONDON] A copy of Stephen Hawking's doctorate thesis signed in a shaky hand was unveiled Tuesday as the highlight of a new auction of the British physicist's personal items in London.

One of Hawking's wheelchairs, an early edition of his bestselling book "A Brief History of Time" marked with a thumbprint, and a script from one of his appearances on the television series "The Simpsons" are also among the 22 lots on sale at Christie's auction house.

The collection highlights the brilliance, determination and sense of humour of Hawking, who died in March aged 76 after a lifetime spent trying to unlock the secrets of the universe.