A rare piece of history from Apple Inc’s. storied early days in Silicon Valley will go to the highest bidder. Steve Jobs’ Apple-1 Computer prototype is being auctioned by Boston-based RR Auction, and the bid as of now is at $278,005. Offering closes on Aug. 18. RR Auction sold the Apple-1 computer in September 2018 for $375,000.
The prototype, which was thought of as “lost” until recently, is what the Apple co-founder used to exhibit Apple-1 to personal computer store owner Paul Terrell in 1976. As per the item portrayal on RR Auction’s site, Jobs and co-founder Steve Wozniak originally envisioned the Apple-1 PC computer as part of a $40 do-it-yourself kit. Terrell convinced the entrepreneurs to turn the item into a pre-assembled personal computer for $666.66 and gave them their first big order.
“There is no Apple-1 without this board— it’s the holy grail of Steve Jobs and Apple memorabilia,” said Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction.
The device went through Wozniak’s hands, as well: The prototype seems to have been hand-soldered by Wozniak on an exceptional “Apple Computer A” circuit board, as per the auction house description. The prototype shows Wozniak’s unusual “three-handed technique ” using a wire in one hand, soldering iron in the older and solder with his mouth.
In 1976, Terrell took Polaroid photographs of the prototype, which were matched to the circuit board. The prototype was examined and authenticated in 2022 by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen, who additionally wrote an accompanying 13-page report.
