Vintage Apple-1 computer fetches whopping Rs 3 crore at auction

The auction featured rare Apple memorabilia, including a Rs 93 lakh Steve Jobs-signed cheque, a Rs 72 lakh first-gen iPhone, an Apple Lisa with ‘Twiggy’ drives, and prototypes of early Macintosh computers and Steve Jobs' business cards

A rare piece of computing history, an original Apple-1 computer, has been sold for an impressive $375,000 (over Rs 3 crore) at a recent auction, highlighting the enduring legacy of Apple’s early innovations. The historic machine, one of the first personal computers designed and built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, remains a prized collectible for technology enthusiasts.

The auction was part of the “Steve Jobs and the Apple Revolution Auction” organized by RR Auction. The Apple-1 in question, designated as unit #91, received an “exceptional” rating of 8.0 out of 10 for its well-preserved condition. The machine, still featuring its original circuitry with bright and clearly labelled integrated circuits, was professionally restored to working order by vintage Apple expert Corey Cohen.

What further enhanced the value of this Apple-1 was its inclusion of an original manual containing handwritten notes referencing Apple’s founders. Commenting on the significance of the sale, Bobby Livingston, Executive Vice President at RR Auction, stated, “Owning an Apple-1 is not just about having a computer; it’s about possessing a tangible piece of history—one that embodies the groundbreaking vision of Jobs, Wozniak, and the pioneering minds that reshaped the world of technology.”

Apple-1: A personal computing milestone

The Apple-1, first introduced in 1976, marked the beginning of Apple Computer Company’s journey into personal computing. Initially sold for $666.66, only 200 units were produced, with about 175 making their way into the hands of hobbyists and early tech adopters. Unlike most computers of its era, which required manual assembly, the Apple-1 featured a fully assembled circuit board. However, users had to provide their own keyboard, power supply, and display. Many early adopters housed the computer in custom-built wooden or plexiglass cases, as the device was sold as a bare circuit board.

Powered by a MOS MCS6502 processor and featuring 4KB of RAM (expandable to 8KB), the Apple-1 relied on cassette tapes for data storage. Its limited functionality, including a lack of lowercase letters and a delete function, made text input a challenge. Nevertheless, it represented a breakthrough in personal computing and laid the foundation for Apple’s future success.

Rare Apple memorabilia fetches millions

The auction also featured several other rare Apple-related artifacts, drawing significant interest from collectors. Highlights included:

·       A 1976 cheque signed by Steve Jobs, fetching over Rs 93 lakh ($112,054), with another cheque from the same year selling for Rs 52 lakh ($62,500).

·       A first-generation 4GB Apple iPhone, factory-sealed, which commanded Rs 72 lakh ($87,514) at auction.

·       An Apple Lisa computer equipped with rare ‘Twiggy’ drives, an early attempt at graphical user interfaces, sold for Rs 47 lakh ($56,818).

·       Prototypes of early Macintosh computers and business cards belonging to Steve Jobs were also up for bidding.

These high-value sales underscore the lasting impact of Apple’s pioneering products and the ongoing fascination with its technological legacy. Collectors continue to seek out and preserve these milestones in computing history, further cementing Apple’s influence on modern technology.

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