The Apple I Computer
The Sothebys Auction House in New York last Friday, the 15th of June, sold an original Apple I, the first Apple computer along with the original cassette interface. Created by the late Apple founder Steve Jobs and his partner Steve Wozniak, there are only roughly fifty Apple Is left in existence today. In addition, this specific Apple I that was sold is thought to be one of just a mere six out of the fifty that is still in working condition, thus increasing its value and popularity.
The Books and Manuscripts portion of the Sothebys Auction was the category that the Apple I fell under and this also included the sale of Steve Jobs memo while working at Atari. This memo, which we also blogged about recently, went for $27,500 and more than doubled its estimated worth of $10,000-$15,000. Furthermore, other magnificent news has been piping out of Sothebys Auction Houses of late as our blogs also discussed the sale of Edvard Munchs The Scream, Sothebys Jewels selling for $112 Million, as well as the Sothebys Art Gallery moving to Brazil.
So how much did this Apple I computer from 1976 sell for? Something that totally revolutionized the way that we as consumers approach technology, this was the one that first allowed individuals to type on keyboards instead of toggling between lights and switches. Therefore, a lofty $374,000 from an anonymous phone bidder was achieved by Sothebys that truly was a shock within the auction house. This is because it far and away surpassed the experts pre-auction estimates which pegged the Apple I selling anywhere from $120,000-$180,000. Clearly, great optimism amongst the public and their now willingness to spend is occurring more and more as all of our recent studies have shown that auction estimations are being blown out of the water. Many congratulations to Sothebys once again, a great sign for the future indeed.
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