An Apple 1 computer from Steve Jobs’ desk is set to hit the auction block this fall at Christie’s, with an estimate of $500,000 to $800,000.
The computer, originally taken directly from the desk of Jobs before entering into the collection of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is one of just 200 of the first computers ever built by Steve Wozniak and Jobs at the genesis of Apple in 1976.
After spending countless hours attending meetings of the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, California, the duo was inspired to create their own PC. Wozniak led the charge, passing around early schematics to fellow club members and even making free house visits to help friends build their own.
Then Apple Computers was formed in April 1976. In need of funding, Wozniak sold his HP-65 calculator and Jobs cashed in his van, together raising around $1,300 to begin assembling the first boards of what would become the Apple 1 in Jobs’ bedroom.
Wozniak hand-built all 200 of the original Apple 1 computers, a barebones machine meant for serious techies. They priced the computers at $666.66, selling all but 25 of their units.
As an incomparable example of the origins of the computing revolution, these machines have become rare and valuable collectibles in recent years. One sold for more than $900,000 in 2014.
Today, it’s believed around 70 verified Apple 1 computers exist, according to the Apple 1 registry. It’s one of even fewer in working condition.
This example, used as a demo model by Jobs and taken from his office in 1985, was acquired around 2005 by Allen for an undisclosed sum. It was later exhibited in The Living Computers: Museum + Labs museum in Seattle. The institution called it “the most important computer in history” in 2017.
Despite the two visionary’s parallel paths, they had never met until an evening in 2017 at The Living Computers: Museum + Labs.
The most recent Apple 1 to sell publicly ended at $323,789 at RR Auctions in March 2024. RR previously sold Jobs’ original Apple 1 prototype, hand-soldered by Wozniak, for $677,196 in August 2022..@LivingComputers tonight. Had great time reminiscing w @Apple co-founder @stevewoz. His Apple I design that was in Jobs' office on view Fri pic.twitter.com/aKufRNeG6J
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) April 13, 2017
Demand for Apple and Jobs-related memorabilia has soared in recent years. A Jobs-signed business card and check sold for $181,183 and $176,850, respectively — both records — earlier this year. A sealed original iPhone set a record when it fetched more than $190,000 in 2023.
Other items, like Jobs’ personally-owned Birkenstocks, sold for $218,750 in 2022 while an Apple II manual inscribed by Jobs with the words "Go Change The World!" went for $787,484 in 2021.
The computer will join other items from the collection of Allen in its “Pushing Boundaries: Ingenuity from the Paul G. Allen Collection” sale this September.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.