Apple check signed by Steve Jobs up for auction

By Dean Murray via SWNS

A check from Steve Jobs paying his phone bill is up for auction.

Described as "a remarkable relic from the dawn of the Apple era", the check is dated July 8, 1976, some three decades before the advent of the iconic iPhone.

Bearing the signature of Jobs, it describes a payment of $201.41 to Pacific Telephone and is estimated to fetch over $20,000.

Boston-based RR Auction says: "It provides a fascinating glimpse into the early days of the tech titan, utilizing Apple's inaugural official address at "770 Welch Rd., Ste. 154, Palo Alto" – a poignant reminder of the company's humble beginnings in the legendary Jobs family garage.

"This artifact holds immense historical significance, representing a pivotal moment in the trajectory of personal computing. With the release of the first iPhone on June 29, 2007, this check predates the technological revolution by over three decades, marking a crucial juncture in Apple's evolution."

The check was cut during the summer of 1976, just four months post the foundation of the Apple Computer Company, Jobs and his partner Steve Wozniak were engrossed in crafting their inaugural product – the Apple-1.

Initially conceived as a DIY kit, the duo pivoted towards a fully assembled model at the behest of Paul Terrell, proprietor of The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California. Terrell's wholesale order of 50 units catalyzed the transition of personal computing from hobbyist terrain to the mainstream consumer market, a move hailed by Wozniak as a watershed moment in Apple's history.

The Apple-1, one of the pioneering completely assembled personal computers of its time, marked a paradigm shift in the industry. Over a span of approximately 10 months, Jobs and Wozniak churned out around 200 units, with 175 finding eager buyers.

Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction, lauded the significance of this unique artifact, labeling it as a testament to Jobs' visionary leadership in the realm of personal computing.

The auction ends on March 21, 2024.