Attention Apple fans and tech enthusiasts! An exciting piece of Apple history is up for auction. A vintage Apple computer, signed by none other than co-founder Steve Wozniak, is hitting the auction block.
The Apple-1, which kickstarted the company’s incredible journey to becoming the first publicly traded business with a $3 trillion market value, is now fully restored and operational. It even comes with a custom-built case and built-in keyboard. This iconic computer, originally sold for $666, is expected to fetch around $200,000 at the auction, which runs until August 24th. Last year, an Apple-1 prototype sold for nearly $700,000, highlighting the immense value collectors place on these early devices.
Back in 1976 and 1977, approximately 200 Apple-1 computers were manufactured in Steve Jobs’ garage in Los Altos, California. Of those, about 175 were sold. According to RR Auction’s Executive Vice President Bobby Livingston, this particular computer is a true legend. Jobs had approached Paul Terrell, owner of The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California, who agreed to buy 50 fully assembled Apple-1 computers. This marked a significant shift in the personal computing industry as it eliminated the need for purchasers to solder the components themselves.
The introduction of the Apple-2 in 1977 further revolutionized the industry, but the Apple-1 remains an iconic symbol of Apple’s humble beginnings. The computer up for auction was signed by Wozniak himself at an event in 2017, adding to its desirability.
The current owner acquired this piece of tech history in 1980 at a computer hobbyist show in Framingham, Massachusetts. It was actively used throughout the 1980s and has recently been brought back to life by Apple expert Corey Cohen.
But that’s not all! The auction also includes an Apple company check signed by both Jobs and Wozniak, dated March 19, 1976. This check, made out to a circuit board maker called Ramlor, Inc., is believed to be connected to the production of the first Apple-1 computers. Early bidding for this unique piece of memorabilia has already surpassed the expected price of $50,000.
So, if you’re a die-hard Apple fan or a collector of tech artifacts, don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to own a piece of Apple’s history. Place your bids and who knows, you might just become the proud owner of this legendary computer and a piece of Apple’s early legacy.