The appeal of nostalgia has led to a fascination with technology memorabilia, particularly objects linked to Apple’s humble beginnings. Apple’s first computers, original devices, and even job applications have become valuable commodities at auction. The latest addition to this category is a handwritten draft of an ad for the Apple Computer-1, penned by Steve Jobs himself, which has sold for a staggering $175,759 at Boston-based RR Auction. The draft ad, a simple handwritten piece of paper, contains the tech specs of the Apple Computer-1, which was originally launched in 1976 as the Apple Computer and later became known as the Apple I or Apple-1. The ad provides details such as the computer’s memory capacity, display resolution, and connectivity options, as well as Jobs’ signature in lowercase print and his parents’ home address and phone number.
According to RR Auction, the ad was given to the consignor during a visit to Jobs’ garage in 1976. The draft ad is notable for including a section mentioning “basic on the way (ROM)”, a feature that never materialized for the Apple-1 but did come with the Apple II the following year. The listing notes that Jobs quotes a price of $75 for the “board only + manual, a real deal”, which was a significant amount of money at the time.
The handwritten draft is not only a rare piece of Apple history but also a testament to Jobs’ vision and leadership. Apple historian Corey Cohen notes that the tech specs of Jobs’ draft for the ad align with the original ad for the Apple-1, which first appeared in the July 1976 issue of Interface Magazine. The ad was a significant marketing coup for Apple, allowing the company to gain the necessary funding to evolve from a small startup to a major player in the tech industry.
Steve Jobs’ Handwritten Apple-1 Ad Fetches $175,000 at Auction, Highlighting Tech Nostalgia
The lot also includes two original Polaroid photos taken at The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California, showcasing an Apple-1 computer board fully assembled with an accompanying keyboard and monitor, and an Apple-1 computer screen displaying an Apple Basic program. These photos provide a Look into the early days of Apple and its fledgling products.
The sale of this historic document serves as a reminder of Apple’s humble beginnings and the company’s ability to transform itself into one of the most successful businesses on the planet. The simplicity of this handwritten ad is all the more remarkable when considering how far Apple has come since its early days, from the iconic 1984 ad created by ad agency Chiat/Day and directed by Ridley Scott to its current status as a global technology powerhouse.
This historic Apple memorabilia has provided a fascinating look into the early days of the company and its co-founder Steve Jobs. The draft ad is a rare and valuable piece of Apple history that has captured the imagination of tech enthusiasts and collectors alike, selling for six times its estimated value at auction. This artifact serves as a reminder of Apple’s pioneering legacy, its humble beginnings, and its ability to transform itself into a technological giant.
