An Apple-1 personal computer from the office of Steve Jobs has set a new auction record, selling for an astounding $945,000 at Christie’s on September 10. This sale occurred during the “Pushing Boundaries: Ingenuity from the Paul G. Allen Collection” auction in New York, making it the most expensive Apple-1 ever sold.
The Apple-1, which dates back to 1976, is notable for its historical significance. It was originally used as a demo unit by Apple and spent nine years in Steve Jobs’ office before being removed in 1985. The computer’s provenance adds to its allure: it was taken along with a pound of Starbucks coffee by Apple engineer Don Hutmacher after Jobs resigned from Apple amid internal conflicts and leadership struggles.
Auction Details
Lot Number: 10
Description: Apple-1 Personal Computer
Dimensions: 8.9 x 38.1 x 45.7 cm
Provenance: Originally an Apple demo unit, removed from Jobs’ office in 1985 by Don Hutmacher
Estimate: $500,000 – $800,000
Hammer Price: $750,000
Final Sale Price: $945,000 (including fees)
The computer’s unique history—being in Jobs’ office and later ending up in the collection of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen—contributes to its high value. Allen’s collection, which included various technological artifacts from the Living Computers: Museum + Labs in Seattle, was disbanded in 2020.
Historical Context
The Apple-1 was among the first personal computers to come fully assembled, a significant innovation at the time. Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple with Jobs, built only 200 units of the Apple-1, with 175 sold within the first 10 months. This particular unit was used to demonstrate Apple’s future computing innovations and featured upgrades that would eventually appear on the Apple II.
Steve Jobs’ tenure at Apple was marked by significant tension and eventual conflict, particularly with then-CEO John Sculley. Jobs’ push for the Macintosh to compete directly with IBM’s dominance in business computing contributed to his departure from the company in 1985. The Apple-1 was a relic of that turbulent period, reflecting both the ambition and turmoil of Apple’s early years.
Anecdote and Legacy
The story behind the Apple-1’s removal from Jobs’ office adds a touch of whimsy to its history. Hutmacher’s anecdote about finding the computer and coffee in an almost empty office underscores the chaotic end of Jobs’ era at Apple.
The Apple-1 now holds a place of prominence not only in technological history but also in auction records, highlighting the enduring legacy of Steve Jobs and Apple’s early days.
This sale underscores the continued fascination with early computing history and the significant value placed on artifacts associated with pivotal moments in technology.
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