Apple-1 Prototype Auction Sets Record Despite Tech Auction Trends

The earliest prototype of the Apple-1 computer, auctioned a couple of weeks ago, was sold for five times the expected price. The lot went under the hammer for $2.75 million, whereas it was predicted to fetch around $500,000. Furthermore, the previous record for an Apple-1 was surpassed by a wide margin, as it was only $945,000.

It’s worth noting that this lot represented the earliest known prototype of the Apple-1. It is claimed that this specimen was used by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak to test the Apple-1 before launching it into commercial production.

The buyer will not only receive the board but also a vintage Key Tronic keyboard from 1977, a vintage power supply, a vintage Sony TV, a copy of the Apple-1 user manual signed by Steve Wozniak, and a copy of the Apple-1 schematic, also signed by him. Additionally, the auction house sold Apple’s first company check, for a similar amount of $2.41 million.

Interestingly, the Apple-1 represents both an iconic piece of technology and a seminal moment in the history of personal computing. Introduced in 1976, it was Apple’s first product and played a crucial role in the home computer revolution. Its creation marked the beginning of a tech giant and transformed the way we interact with electronics.

The auction of the Apple-1 prototype aligns with a broader trend of escalating values for iconic technology artifacts, though the actual auction figures often exceed expert expectations due to the item’s historical significance and collector interest.