One of Apple’s first computers set to sell for over $500K

By Dean Murray via SWNS

A historic example of one of Apple's first computers is set to sell for over $500,000.

The fully functional Apple-1 Computer was from one of the first PC shops in America and was later signed by Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc.

The model was initially used as a demonstration system at the Data Domain computer store in Columbus, Indiana, in 1977.

Boston auctioneers RR Auction say: "It is a rarity as a signed, operational, and 'undiscovered' Apple-1, not logged in the Apple-1 Registry until this year."

The Apple-1 was originally conceived by Steve Jobs and Steve' Woz' Wozniak as a bare circuit board to be sold as a kit and completed by electronics hobbyists, their initial market being Palo Alto's Homebrew Computer Club.

Seeking a larger audience, Jobs approached Paul Terrell, owner of The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California, one of the first personal computer stores in the world.

Aiming to elevate the computer beyond the realm of the hobbyist, Terrell agreed to purchase 50 Apple-1 computers, but only if they were fully assembled. The Apple-1 thus became one of the first 'personal' computers which did not require soldering by the end user.

Altogether, over a span of about ten months, Jobs and Wozniak produced about 200 Apple-1 computers and sold 175 of them.

RR Auction's March sale also brings dozens of important Apple Computer, Steve Jobs, and computer history items to the bidding block.

Featured is a Steve Jobs-signed Applesoft ROM chip, the remarkable original Applesoft ROM chip used in the Apple II Plus computer systems of the early 1980s, signed across the bottom on a thin sliver of tape in black ink by the company's legendary co-founder.

The chip is taped to the bottom of a typed letter by Jobs, one page, Apple Computer letterhead, November 16, 1983. In full: "Thanks for letting us know of your support. It's really great to know that our fans up in the bleachers are cheering for us. Keep the faith! PS: Hope you enjoy the chip—an Applesoft ROM." (Estimate: £42,000, $50,000+)

A quirky lot is a factory-sealed first-generation iPhone. The consignor notes that he purchased this phone upon its release in 2007 but received one through work as an Apple employee; this spare was never opened. The iPhone ushered in the modern age of the smartphone, and catapulted Apple to the top of the charts as one of the world's most valuable companies. (Estimate: £17,000, $20,000+)

The Steve Jobs and the Apple Computer Revolution auction by RR Auction began on February 17 and will conclude on March 16.