Apple Computer
1976 Apple-1
Intro
At Palo Alto in 1976, two young inventors introduce an already highly developed system: around a motherboard, other equipment can be connected to facilitate the use, such as a keyboard and a monitor. They became famous: Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
Paul Terrell, owner of the specialty store Byte Shop in Mountain View, is also a visionary. He wants to buy 50 copies of the Apple I machine of the two Steves, but only if the components are already assembled on the motherboard, to be able to offer it ready-made.
The operation is a success. 150 additional Apple I will also be sold directly by Apple. The improvement ideas gush at such a speed that the Apple I will be very ephemeral, soon replaced by the Apple II.
Paul Terrell, owner of the specialty store Byte Shop in Mountain View, is also a visionary. He wants to buy 50 copies of the Apple I machine of the two Steves, but only if the components are already assembled on the motherboard, to be able to offer it ready-made.
The operation is a success. 150 additional Apple I will also be sold directly by Apple. The improvement ideas gush at such a speed that the Apple I will be very ephemeral, soon replaced by the Apple II.
1
March 16, 1976 Check # 1 by the Apple Computer Company
2026 SOLD for $ 2.4M by RR Auction
Apple Computer Company Check No. 1, written on March 16, 1976 and signed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. This Wells Fargo check—made payable for $500 to Howard Cantin, the designer of the Apple-1 printed circuit board—is the first check ever drawn on Apple’s original bank account. The check documents the moment Apple transitioned from an idea into an operating business. It was sold for $ 2.4M on January 30, 2026 at RR Auction from an estimate of $500000+, lot 6000. Define more precisely the work billed by Cantin and its position in Apple timeline.
The video is shared by the auction house.
Howard Cantin's work involved designing the printed circuit board (PCB) layout for the Apple-1 (also known as Apple I), Apple's inaugural product.
Steve Wozniak personally designed the electrical circuitry and overall architecture of the Apple-1, including its schematic. However, turning that schematic into a practical, manufacturable PCB required specialized layout expertise—routing traces, placing components, ensuring signal integrity, and optimizing for production using manual techniques (such as tape-based drafting common in the 1970s). Cantin, an experienced PCB layout engineer then working at Atari (where he had handled layouts for early Atari arcade games and systems), was hired as an independent contractor for this task. The $500 payment via Check No. 1 compensated him specifically for this PCB layout design work.
In a 2012 interview, Cantin discussed his role in laying out early Apple boards (including the Apple-1 and initial Apple II versions), noting his use of tape for creating traces and turns on the design.
This positions the payment—and thus Cantin's contribution—very early in Apple's timeline:
The video is shared by the auction house.
Howard Cantin's work involved designing the printed circuit board (PCB) layout for the Apple-1 (also known as Apple I), Apple's inaugural product.
Steve Wozniak personally designed the electrical circuitry and overall architecture of the Apple-1, including its schematic. However, turning that schematic into a practical, manufacturable PCB required specialized layout expertise—routing traces, placing components, ensuring signal integrity, and optimizing for production using manual techniques (such as tape-based drafting common in the 1970s). Cantin, an experienced PCB layout engineer then working at Atari (where he had handled layouts for early Atari arcade games and systems), was hired as an independent contractor for this task. The $500 payment via Check No. 1 compensated him specifically for this PCB layout design work.
In a 2012 interview, Cantin discussed his role in laying out early Apple boards (including the Apple-1 and initial Apple II versions), noting his use of tape for creating traces and turns on the design.
This positions the payment—and thus Cantin's contribution—very early in Apple's timeline:
- By early March 1976, Wozniak had largely completed the basic electrical design of the Apple-1.
- On March 16, 1976, Jobs and Wozniak opened their first bank account at Wells Fargo (funded by selling Jobs' VW bus and Wozniak's HP calculator) and issued Check No. 1 to Cantin. This occurred 16 days before Apple's official founding as a partnership on April 1, 1976 (when Jobs, Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne signed the formal agreement).
- The check thus captures the precise moment the duo transitioned from a conceptual project to an operational business entity committing real funds to produce their first product.
- After Cantin's layout, the bare PCBs were fabricated (e.g., by a company like Ramlor Inc., paid via early subsequent checks), components were sourced and hand-assembled by Jobs and Wozniak in the garage, and the Apple-1 was demonstrated publicly in March/April 1976 before going on sale (primarily as bare boards) starting in July 1976.
2
March 31, 1976 Wells Fargo Account Statement
2026 SOLD for $ 830K by RR Auction
Wells Fargo account statement for Apple Computer company, sold for $ 830K from an estimate of $10,000+ at RR Auction on January 29, 2026, lot 6002. Define the significance of this document in Apple's history and its position in Apple's timeline.
The Wells Fargo account statement for "Apple Computer Co.," covering the period ending March 31, 1976, is Apple's earliest surviving financial record and the first official ledger of the company's banking activity. This one-page document (8.5 x 14 inches, prepared by the Los Altos branch) chronicles the very inception of Apple as an operational entity, documenting:
The Wells Fargo account statement for "Apple Computer Co.," covering the period ending March 31, 1976, is Apple's earliest surviving financial record and the first official ledger of the company's banking activity. This one-page document (8.5 x 14 inches, prepared by the Los Altos branch) chronicles the very inception of Apple as an operational entity, documenting:
- The opening of the company's inaugural bank account at Wells Fargo.
- The initial deposits (starting with $500 on March 16, 1976—the same day as Check No. 1—and totaling $840 by month's end).
- The first six checks ever drawn on the account (noted as "6 Items Enclosed," with the returned checks accompanying the statement).
- Early expenditures, including payments for Apple-1 PCB design (Check #1 to Howard Cantin for $500), PCB fabrication (e.g., to Ramlor Inc.), electronic components from suppliers, and even the company's first telephone bill.
- The resulting low ending balance (around $142.55), reflecting the bootstrapped, garage-stage finances.
- Early March 1976: Wozniak finalizes much of the Apple-1 circuitry.
- March 16, 1976: Jobs and Wozniak open the Wells Fargo account (funded by selling personal items like Jobs' VW bus and Wozniak's HP calculator), make the first $500 deposit, and immediately issue Check #1.
- March 16–31, 1976: The next five checks clear (e.g., #2 on March 19, etc.), covering production essentials for the first Apple-1 boards/units.
- April 1, 1976: Official partnership formed (Jobs, Wozniak, Wayne).
- March/April–July 1976: Apple-1 demonstrated publicly and sold (as bare boards initially).
3
April 1976 Founding Documents
2026 SOLD for $ 2.5M by Christie's
The steps of the great technological revolution of the communication have been gradual and fast : after the discovery of the radio waves in the 19th century, the early events are the invention of the transistor in 1948, the integrated circuit in 1958. The breakthrough was achieved in 1969 with the development of the Intel 4004, the first microprocessor and also the first marvel of miniaturization because it already had a computing power comparable to machines that occupied an entire building.
Fans use their soldering iron to test the new wonders. Clubs and shops are created.
The home computer aka personal computer would be the next technological craze in California. In June 1975 Steve Wozniak tests his first working prototype. He makes a buzz with it in a group of computing hobbyists at Palo Alto.
The concept is viable and some production can be scheduled. Around a motherboard, other equipment can be connected to enable the use, such as a keyboard and a monitor. Wozniak completes the design of the Apple-1 on March 1, 1976, having prepared alone the hardware, the circuit boards and the operating system. He is disappointed : Hewlett Packard is not interested. Steve Jobs convinces him to start a business of their own.
Paul Terrell, who had just founded the specialty retail store Byte Shop in Mountain View, is also a visionary. Terrell rejects an idea of Jobs to sell modules : he will only accept 50 fully operational computers. In a hurry a motherboard referred as the Apple Computer A prototype is assembled to be used as a demonstrator for Terrell. Some bubbles in solder joints assess that it has been prepared with Wozniak's unconventional technique of holding the solder coil from his mouth.
That piece was kept by Apple without coating for a purpose of cannibalizing the electronic parts, many of them including the microprocessor being now missing. The broken upper side is also missing. Recently resurfaced and authenticated in 2022 by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen, it was sold for $ 680K by RR on August 18, 2022, lot 5006.
The would be entrepreneurs are 25 and 21 years old. The role of the senior partner is played by Ronald Wayne, a 41 years old enthusiast of engineering. The team of three creates the Apple Computer Company on April 1, 1976, with 45 % of the shares to both Wozniak and Jobs and the remaining 10 % to Wayne.
The Apple-1 model is released on April 11 for retail by the Byte Shop.After harsh negotiations,
In the mean time Wayne appreciates that the new company can be successful but he is not a businessman and will not take a risk. He withdraws from the Apple company on April 12. The Apple-1 is available from July 1976 at the Byte Shop for the unit price of $ 666.66 defined by Wozniak.
A set made of three Apple founding documents previously owned by Wayne was sold by Sotheby's on December 13, 2011 for $ 1.6M from a lower estimate of $ 100K, lot 241. It is made of the April 1 contract signed by the three partners, a later amendment and the Registrant's copy of County of Santa Clara Statement of Withdrawal signed by Wayne.
The founding documents were sold for $ 2.5M by Christie's on January 23, 2026, lot 242.
Apple Company founding contracts (3 documents), sold by Sotheby's on December 13, 2011, lot 241. Significance in Computer history. Listed for sale by Christie's (2 documents) on January 23, 2026, lot 242. Confirm that Wayne's withdrawal document has been removed.
Apple's Founding Documents
The Apple Computer Company was founded on April 1, 1976, through a partnership agreement signed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. This three-page document outlined the initial ownership: 45% for Jobs, 45% for Wozniak, and 10% for Wayne (who drafted it and provided early administrative support).
2011 Sotheby's Auction (Lot 241, December 13, 2011)
Ronald Wayne's personal copy of the founding documents sold as a set of three items:
Upcoming Christie's Auction (January 23, 2026)
The same set of founding documents (the 2011 Sotheby's lot, now consigned by its private owner) returns to auction as part of Christie's "We the People: America at 250" sale in New York. It is described as:
Significance in Computer History
These documents mark the formal birth of Apple in a Los Altos garage, launching the personal computer revolution. They symbolize the shift from mainframes to accessible home computing, paving the way for the Apple II (1977), Macintosh (1984), and modern devices like the iPhone. Wayne's early exit underscores the high-risk, high-reward nature of Silicon Valley startups—his forfeited 10% stake would be worth hundreds of billions today. As foundational artifacts, they represent innovation, entrepreneurship, and the dawn of the digital age, often called Apple's "birth certificate."
chat with AI :
ArtHitParade :
The Apple computer company partnership agreement is for sale by Christie's on January 23, 2026, lot 242. The previous sale, by Sotheby's on December 13, 2011, lot 241, included Wayne's withdrawal document, which is not referred in Christie's catalogue. Was this document withdrawn from the set ?
Grok :
No, the Wayne withdrawal document has not been withdrawn from the set. It is included in Christie's lot 242 as the "amendment letter" dated April 12, 1976, which is the same document that formalized Ronald Wayne's exit from the partnership. The lot is the identical set previously sold at Sotheby's in 2011 (per the provenance), comprising the original three-page partnership agreement plus the one-page amendment.
ArtHitParade :
Explain why the Sotheby's catalogue referred to 3+1+1 page and Christie's referred to 4 pages together. I believe that some confusion happened in your response between the Amendment dated 12 April 1976, 1 page, referred by both Sotheby's and Christie's, and Registrant's Copy of County of Santa Clara Statement of Withdrawal signed by "Ronald G. Wayne," 1 page, so referred by Sotheby's and not found in Christie's catalogue.
Grok :
The discrepancy in the page and document descriptions between the two auction catalogues stems from differences in what was included in each lot, despite the core items being the same provenance from Ronald Wayne and previously sold at Sotheby's in 2011.
Sotheby's 2011 catalogue for lot 241 described the item as three separate documents totaling five pages: the original three-page typed partnership agreement dated April 1, 1976 (signed by Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, and Ronald Wayne); a one-page amendment dated April 12, 1976 (also signed by all three, formalizing Wayne's exit and the $800 payment to him in exchange for relinquishing his 10% stake); and an additional one-page "Registrant's Copy of County of Santa Clara Statement of Withdrawal" signed solely by Wayne, which served as the official county-filed record of his withdrawal from the partnership.
In contrast, Christie's 2026 catalogue for lot 242 presents the lot as a single set of four pages together, comprising only the three-page partnership agreement and the one-page amendment letter—without the separate Santa Clara withdrawal statement. The provenance explicitly confirms this is the same item acquired from the 2011 Sotheby's sale, but the extra one-page county document appears to have been removed or separated from the grouping for this resale, possibly by a previous owner or as a curatorial decision by Christie's. This results in the streamlined "4 pages" reference, focusing solely on the foundational agreement and its immediate amendment.
Fans use their soldering iron to test the new wonders. Clubs and shops are created.
The home computer aka personal computer would be the next technological craze in California. In June 1975 Steve Wozniak tests his first working prototype. He makes a buzz with it in a group of computing hobbyists at Palo Alto.
The concept is viable and some production can be scheduled. Around a motherboard, other equipment can be connected to enable the use, such as a keyboard and a monitor. Wozniak completes the design of the Apple-1 on March 1, 1976, having prepared alone the hardware, the circuit boards and the operating system. He is disappointed : Hewlett Packard is not interested. Steve Jobs convinces him to start a business of their own.
Paul Terrell, who had just founded the specialty retail store Byte Shop in Mountain View, is also a visionary. Terrell rejects an idea of Jobs to sell modules : he will only accept 50 fully operational computers. In a hurry a motherboard referred as the Apple Computer A prototype is assembled to be used as a demonstrator for Terrell. Some bubbles in solder joints assess that it has been prepared with Wozniak's unconventional technique of holding the solder coil from his mouth.
That piece was kept by Apple without coating for a purpose of cannibalizing the electronic parts, many of them including the microprocessor being now missing. The broken upper side is also missing. Recently resurfaced and authenticated in 2022 by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen, it was sold for $ 680K by RR on August 18, 2022, lot 5006.
The would be entrepreneurs are 25 and 21 years old. The role of the senior partner is played by Ronald Wayne, a 41 years old enthusiast of engineering. The team of three creates the Apple Computer Company on April 1, 1976, with 45 % of the shares to both Wozniak and Jobs and the remaining 10 % to Wayne.
The Apple-1 model is released on April 11 for retail by the Byte Shop.After harsh negotiations,
In the mean time Wayne appreciates that the new company can be successful but he is not a businessman and will not take a risk. He withdraws from the Apple company on April 12. The Apple-1 is available from July 1976 at the Byte Shop for the unit price of $ 666.66 defined by Wozniak.
A set made of three Apple founding documents previously owned by Wayne was sold by Sotheby's on December 13, 2011 for $ 1.6M from a lower estimate of $ 100K, lot 241. It is made of the April 1 contract signed by the three partners, a later amendment and the Registrant's copy of County of Santa Clara Statement of Withdrawal signed by Wayne.
The founding documents were sold for $ 2.5M by Christie's on January 23, 2026, lot 242.
Apple Company founding contracts (3 documents), sold by Sotheby's on December 13, 2011, lot 241. Significance in Computer history. Listed for sale by Christie's (2 documents) on January 23, 2026, lot 242. Confirm that Wayne's withdrawal document has been removed.
Apple's Founding Documents
The Apple Computer Company was founded on April 1, 1976, through a partnership agreement signed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. This three-page document outlined the initial ownership: 45% for Jobs, 45% for Wozniak, and 10% for Wayne (who drafted it and provided early administrative support).
2011 Sotheby's Auction (Lot 241, December 13, 2011)
Ronald Wayne's personal copy of the founding documents sold as a set of three items:
- The original 3-page partnership agreement (dated April 1, 1976).
- A 1-page amendment (dated April 12, 1976).
- A 1-page Statement of Withdrawal from the County of Santa Clara (signed by Wayne).
Upcoming Christie's Auction (January 23, 2026)
The same set of founding documents (the 2011 Sotheby's lot, now consigned by its private owner) returns to auction as part of Christie's "We the People: America at 250" sale in New York. It is described as:
- The original three-page partnership agreement.
- The accompanying papers documenting Ronald Wayne's withdrawal (the amendment and/or statement).
Significance in Computer History
These documents mark the formal birth of Apple in a Los Altos garage, launching the personal computer revolution. They symbolize the shift from mainframes to accessible home computing, paving the way for the Apple II (1977), Macintosh (1984), and modern devices like the iPhone. Wayne's early exit underscores the high-risk, high-reward nature of Silicon Valley startups—his forfeited 10% stake would be worth hundreds of billions today. As foundational artifacts, they represent innovation, entrepreneurship, and the dawn of the digital age, often called Apple's "birth certificate."
chat with AI :
ArtHitParade :
The Apple computer company partnership agreement is for sale by Christie's on January 23, 2026, lot 242. The previous sale, by Sotheby's on December 13, 2011, lot 241, included Wayne's withdrawal document, which is not referred in Christie's catalogue. Was this document withdrawn from the set ?
Grok :
No, the Wayne withdrawal document has not been withdrawn from the set. It is included in Christie's lot 242 as the "amendment letter" dated April 12, 1976, which is the same document that formalized Ronald Wayne's exit from the partnership. The lot is the identical set previously sold at Sotheby's in 2011 (per the provenance), comprising the original three-page partnership agreement plus the one-page amendment.
ArtHitParade :
Explain why the Sotheby's catalogue referred to 3+1+1 page and Christie's referred to 4 pages together. I believe that some confusion happened in your response between the Amendment dated 12 April 1976, 1 page, referred by both Sotheby's and Christie's, and Registrant's Copy of County of Santa Clara Statement of Withdrawal signed by "Ronald G. Wayne," 1 page, so referred by Sotheby's and not found in Christie's catalogue.
Grok :
The discrepancy in the page and document descriptions between the two auction catalogues stems from differences in what was included in each lot, despite the core items being the same provenance from Ronald Wayne and previously sold at Sotheby's in 2011.
Sotheby's 2011 catalogue for lot 241 described the item as three separate documents totaling five pages: the original three-page typed partnership agreement dated April 1, 1976 (signed by Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, and Ronald Wayne); a one-page amendment dated April 12, 1976 (also signed by all three, formalizing Wayne's exit and the $800 payment to him in exchange for relinquishing his 10% stake); and an additional one-page "Registrant's Copy of County of Santa Clara Statement of Withdrawal" signed solely by Wayne, which served as the official county-filed record of his withdrawal from the partnership.
In contrast, Christie's 2026 catalogue for lot 242 presents the lot as a single set of four pages together, comprising only the three-page partnership agreement and the one-page amendment letter—without the separate Santa Clara withdrawal statement. The provenance explicitly confirms this is the same item acquired from the 2011 Sotheby's sale, but the extra one-page county document appears to have been removed or separated from the grouping for this resale, possibly by a previous owner or as a curatorial decision by Christie's. This results in the streamlined "4 pages" reference, focusing solely on the foundational agreement and its immediate amendment.
4
April-May 1976 Celebration Apple
2026 SOLD for $ 2.75M by RR Auction
A prototype is preceding a production. The Apple-1, in 1976, did not waive this universal law of the equipment industry. To fulfill the Byte Shop order of 50 units, they had to act quickly and there was no place left in that phase to realize disparities in product assembly and component selection.
This key step does not prevent to continue later to try new solutions. An Apple-1 that just surfaced has however some features that undoubtedly anticipate the production. The most obvious is the heat sink which is too small. Wozniak and Jobs were not thermal engineers and it is only through powering prototypes and not by calculations that they could appreciate that this element was undersized.
This motherboard was nevertheless used and Apple joined the same accessories and documents as on regular models : interface cassette, BASIC tape, user manuals, warranty.
The Apple Computer cassette bears a handwritten inscription identifying the reentry code after reset and the words "Good luck !!". A friend of Jobs who became one of Apple's first permanent employees is recognizing his handwriting. It appears plausible that this specimen has been assembled either by him or by Jobs during the early development phase and sold by him after about one year.
This Apple-1 was sold for $ 815K with no identified buyer's premium by CharityBuzz on August 25, 2016. It is not working. It would probably be easy to reactivate it by changing some electronic parts but its historical value rather invites to leave it in its original condition. The video is shared by CharityBuzz.
Identified as The Celebration Board, it was sold for $ 2.2M by RR Auction on January 29, 2026, lot 6003. The video is shared by the auction house. The board is narrated in both videos by Corey Cohen.
Estimated Assembly Dates
This key step does not prevent to continue later to try new solutions. An Apple-1 that just surfaced has however some features that undoubtedly anticipate the production. The most obvious is the heat sink which is too small. Wozniak and Jobs were not thermal engineers and it is only through powering prototypes and not by calculations that they could appreciate that this element was undersized.
This motherboard was nevertheless used and Apple joined the same accessories and documents as on regular models : interface cassette, BASIC tape, user manuals, warranty.
The Apple Computer cassette bears a handwritten inscription identifying the reentry code after reset and the words "Good luck !!". A friend of Jobs who became one of Apple's first permanent employees is recognizing his handwriting. It appears plausible that this specimen has been assembled either by him or by Jobs during the early development phase and sold by him after about one year.
This Apple-1 was sold for $ 815K with no identified buyer's premium by CharityBuzz on August 25, 2016. It is not working. It would probably be easy to reactivate it by changing some electronic parts but its historical value rather invites to leave it in its original condition. The video is shared by CharityBuzz.
Identified as The Celebration Board, it was sold for $ 2.2M by RR Auction on January 29, 2026, lot 6003. The video is shared by the auction house. The board is narrated in both videos by Corey Cohen.
Estimated Assembly Dates
- Apple Computer A (Phenolic Prototype): March 1976. This aligns with the commissioning of the initial PCB layout from Howard Cantin and hand-soldering by Wozniak, shortly before its use in the demonstration to Paul Terrell (which occurred in 1976, leading to the July 1976 Byte Shop delivery).
- Celebration (Fiberglass Prototype): April–May 1976. Assembled after revisions to the phenolic board's design issues but before the first production run for the Byte Shop order; component date codes (e.g., 7617 on capacitors) suggest a spring 1976 timeline, though some experts note mixed codes indicating possible later additions.
Full history of the pre-production 'Celebration' Apple board, listed by RR Auction ending 01/29/2026
The 'Celebration' Apple board is a pre-production prototype of the Apple-1 computer, recognized as the earliest known fiberglass prototype used to validate Apple's inaugural computer design prior to commercial manufacturing. It represents a pivotal artifact in Apple's early history, bridging the gap between initial experimental prototypes and the production models that launched the company.
Origin and Development
In March 1976, Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak commissioned an initial tan phenolic prototype board from PCB designer Howard Cantin. However, this early version revealed several design issues that required extensive revisions and reworking. To confirm the corrected layout on a more durable material suitable for production, Apple produced this fiberglass prototype—the 'Celebration' board—as a validation unit. It was assembled before the first batch of 50 Apple-1 machines destined for Paul Terrell's Byte Shop order, marking it as a critical transitional piece that helped solidify Apple's emergence as a computer manufacturer.
Key Features and Modifications
This board exhibits several distinctive characteristics that distinguish it from later production models:
The 'Celebration' board holds singular importance as the first board with the revised, corrected layout that Jobs and Wozniak used to verify the Apple-1's viability for manufacturing. It encapsulates the moment Apple transitioned from garage-based experimentation to a viable product ready for market, laying the groundwork for the personal computing revolution. Provenance and Condition
The board was examined by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen in May 2016, with his technical condition report revised in December 2025. It has not been tested for functionality, but its cosmetic condition is rated between 6.5 and 7.0 out of 10. It is documented as entry #75 in the Apple-1 Registry, officially listed as the “Celebration” Apple-1. This prototype is currently offered as Lot #6003 in RR Auction's "Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction," which concludes on January 29, 2026. The auction lot includes the original board along with period-correct accessories: a vintage Key Tronic keyboard (circa 1977), a vintage power supply, a vintage Sony TV set, a replica Apple-1 Operation Manual signed by Steve Wozniak, and a replica Apple-1 schematic also signed by Wozniak.
chat with Grok
Is it the board sold at auction for $ 815K with no identified buyer's premium by CharityBuzz on August 25, 2016 ? If yes, was the 2016 auction validated ? If no, compare both boards.
Yes, the 'Celebration' Apple-1 board currently listed as Lot #6003 in RR Auction's "Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction" (ending January 29, 2026) is the same board that was previously sold at the CharityBuzz auction on August 25, 2016, for $815,000. Public reports and articles from the time do not explicitly identify or break out a separate buyer's premium in the final sale price, though CharityBuzz auctions typically include one as part of their standard policy (usually added to the hammer price).
Yes, the 2016 auction was validated—the sale was successfully completed after 39 bids, with the winning bid placed by Glenn and Shannon Dellimore. The buyer later stated in interviews that they were prepared to pay up to $2 million for the board, which they described as the "Holy Grail of computers." The transaction is documented in the Apple-1 Registry as a confirmed sale, and the board's provenance aligns across both auctions, including its examination by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen in May 2016 (just prior to the CharityBuzz sale) and its entry as #75 in the Apple-1 Registry.
The 'Celebration' Apple board is a pre-production prototype of the Apple-1 computer, recognized as the earliest known fiberglass prototype used to validate Apple's inaugural computer design prior to commercial manufacturing. It represents a pivotal artifact in Apple's early history, bridging the gap between initial experimental prototypes and the production models that launched the company.
Origin and Development
In March 1976, Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak commissioned an initial tan phenolic prototype board from PCB designer Howard Cantin. However, this early version revealed several design issues that required extensive revisions and reworking. To confirm the corrected layout on a more durable material suitable for production, Apple produced this fiberglass prototype—the 'Celebration' board—as a validation unit. It was assembled before the first batch of 50 Apple-1 machines destined for Paul Terrell's Byte Shop order, marking it as a critical transitional piece that helped solidify Apple's emergence as a computer manufacturer.
Key Features and Modifications
This board exhibits several distinctive characteristics that distinguish it from later production models:
- Socket Type: It uses wave-soldered Robinson-Nugent sockets, differing from the Texas Instruments sockets found on standard production boards.
- Components: Features hand-soldered parts sourced from local suppliers, including two common silver Sprague 39D capacitors (non-computer-rated but readily available from a radio repair shop).
- Heatsink: Equipped with a smaller, non-standard heatsink in the voltage regulation area, with no indications of ever having a larger production-style heatsink installed.
- Timing Circuit: Includes a unique modification to the 74123 timing circuit to handle DRAM refresh, resolving early timing problems before full-scale production.
- Overall Design: Predates all Byte Shop retail boards and was never intended for commercial sale, serving purely as a proof-of-concept unit.
The 'Celebration' board holds singular importance as the first board with the revised, corrected layout that Jobs and Wozniak used to verify the Apple-1's viability for manufacturing. It encapsulates the moment Apple transitioned from garage-based experimentation to a viable product ready for market, laying the groundwork for the personal computing revolution. Provenance and Condition
The board was examined by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen in May 2016, with his technical condition report revised in December 2025. It has not been tested for functionality, but its cosmetic condition is rated between 6.5 and 7.0 out of 10. It is documented as entry #75 in the Apple-1 Registry, officially listed as the “Celebration” Apple-1. This prototype is currently offered as Lot #6003 in RR Auction's "Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction," which concludes on January 29, 2026. The auction lot includes the original board along with period-correct accessories: a vintage Key Tronic keyboard (circa 1977), a vintage power supply, a vintage Sony TV set, a replica Apple-1 Operation Manual signed by Steve Wozniak, and a replica Apple-1 schematic also signed by Wozniak.
chat with Grok
Is it the board sold at auction for $ 815K with no identified buyer's premium by CharityBuzz on August 25, 2016 ? If yes, was the 2016 auction validated ? If no, compare both boards.
Yes, the 'Celebration' Apple-1 board currently listed as Lot #6003 in RR Auction's "Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction" (ending January 29, 2026) is the same board that was previously sold at the CharityBuzz auction on August 25, 2016, for $815,000. Public reports and articles from the time do not explicitly identify or break out a separate buyer's premium in the final sale price, though CharityBuzz auctions typically include one as part of their standard policy (usually added to the hammer price).
Yes, the 2016 auction was validated—the sale was successfully completed after 39 bids, with the winning bid placed by Glenn and Shannon Dellimore. The buyer later stated in interviews that they were prepared to pay up to $2 million for the board, which they described as the "Holy Grail of computers." The transaction is documented in the Apple-1 Registry as a confirmed sale, and the board's provenance aligns across both auctions, including its examination by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen in May 2016 (just prior to the CharityBuzz sale) and its entry as #75 in the Apple-1 Registry.
4 bis
Special Report
Key evolution between the Apple Computer A prototype and the Celebration
Key Evolutions
The Apple Computer A prototype (sold as Lot 5006 by RR Auction on August 18, 2022, for $677,196) represents the initial experimental phase of the Apple-1 design, while the Celebration board (Apple-1 Registry entry #75) marks a transitional validation step toward production. The primary evolutions reflect iterative improvements in materials, layout reliability, component sourcing, and circuit refinements to address early flaws identified in the Apple Computer A. Below is a structured comparison of the key differences and advancements:
Computer A (Phenolic Prototype)
Celebration (Fiberglass Prototype)
Evolution/Improvement
Material and PCB Type
Computer A : Tan phenolic PCB, commissioned from designer Howard Cantin; fragile and prone to issues during testing.
Celebration : Fiberglass PCB, more durable and suitable for production validation.
Improvement : Shift to fiberglass for better structural integrity and manufacturability, confirming the design's readiness beyond experimental phenolic boards.
Labeling and Design Markings
Computer A : Text reads "Apple Computer A ©76"; no green protective coating or white silkscreen parts labeling.
Celebration : Standard early Apple-1 layout without specific prototype markings; also lacks green coating but incorporates revised trace layouts.
Improvement : Incorporation of corrected circuit traces from the phenolic's fixes; the "A" designation was dropped in favor of production-oriented labeling ("Apple Computer 1").
Soldering and Assembly Technique
Computer A : Fully hand-soldered by Steve Wozniak using a 'three-handed' technique (evident in tight solder bubbles); includes point-to-point wire corrections on the back to make it functional.
Celebration : Wave-soldered Robinson-Nugent sockets with hand-soldered components; manual modifications like added wires and a cut trace on the back.
Improvement : Introduction of wave soldering for sockets improved efficiency and consistency, reducing reliance on fully manual corrections while still allowing targeted fixes.
Processor and Clock Circuit
Computer A : Populated clock circuit at top-left for compatibility with Motorola 6800 or MOS 6501 processors (in addition to the 6502); reflects early design flexibility.
Celebration : Standard MOS 6502 support without populated alternative clock circuit (area marked "6800 Only" but unpopulated, as in production models).
Improvement : Standardization on the 6502's on-chip clock oscillator, eliminating unnecessary compatibility for alternatives to streamline the design.
Capacitors and Power Components
Computer A : Three orange Sprague Atom capacitors (instead of production 'Big Blue'); different diodes and electrolytic caps in power section.
Celebration : Two common silver Sprague 39D capacitors (non-computer-rated, sourced from a local radio shop); silver capacitors throughout, with a large blue capacitor from 1975.
Improvement : Adoption of readily available local components for quick validation, improving sourcing practicality over the phenolic's more experimental setup.
Heatsink and Thermal Management
Computer A : Standard early configuration (no specific deviations noted).
Celebration : Smaller, non-standard heatsink in voltage regulation area; no evidence of a larger production-style heatsink ever being installed.
Improvement : Customized thermal solution to test stability, informing production choices for better heat dissipation in final units.
Timing and Circuit Modifications
Computer A : Revealed several design flaws requiring extensive revisions, including point-to-point fixes.
Celebration : Unique modification to the 74123 timing circuit for DRAM refresh to resolve early timing problems; additional wire and capacitor on back at power supply section.
Improvement : Direct addressing of timing and refresh issues identified in the phenolic prototype, ensuring reliability before scaling to production.
Sockets and Slots
Computer A : Standard early sockets; missing some like C1 (for 6800 only).
Celebration : More expensive Robinson-Nugent sockets (vs. cheaper Texas Instruments in production); unique hand-soldered slot with date code 3175.
Improvement : Upgrade to higher-quality sockets for prototyping, with cost reductions applied in production runs.
Overall Purpose and Significance
Computer A : Initial test board used for experimentation and demonstration to Paul Terrell in 1976, leading to the Byte Shop order of 50 units; highlighted flaws that needed reworking.
Celebration : Validation unit to confirm corrected layout on durable material; predates all retail boards and was never intended for sale, bridging experimentation to manufacturing.
Improvement : Progression from flaw identification and demo (phenolic) to design confirmation (fiberglass), enabling Apple's shift from garage project to viable product.
These evolutions encapsulate Apple's rapid iteration in early 1976: the Apple Computer A exposed foundational problems, while the Celebration incorporated fixes to greenlight the first production run of 50 units for the Byte Shop.
The Apple Computer A prototype (sold as Lot 5006 by RR Auction on August 18, 2022, for $677,196) represents the initial experimental phase of the Apple-1 design, while the Celebration board (Apple-1 Registry entry #75) marks a transitional validation step toward production. The primary evolutions reflect iterative improvements in materials, layout reliability, component sourcing, and circuit refinements to address early flaws identified in the Apple Computer A. Below is a structured comparison of the key differences and advancements:
Computer A (Phenolic Prototype)
Celebration (Fiberglass Prototype)
Evolution/Improvement
Material and PCB Type
Computer A : Tan phenolic PCB, commissioned from designer Howard Cantin; fragile and prone to issues during testing.
Celebration : Fiberglass PCB, more durable and suitable for production validation.
Improvement : Shift to fiberglass for better structural integrity and manufacturability, confirming the design's readiness beyond experimental phenolic boards.
Labeling and Design Markings
Computer A : Text reads "Apple Computer A ©76"; no green protective coating or white silkscreen parts labeling.
Celebration : Standard early Apple-1 layout without specific prototype markings; also lacks green coating but incorporates revised trace layouts.
Improvement : Incorporation of corrected circuit traces from the phenolic's fixes; the "A" designation was dropped in favor of production-oriented labeling ("Apple Computer 1").
Soldering and Assembly Technique
Computer A : Fully hand-soldered by Steve Wozniak using a 'three-handed' technique (evident in tight solder bubbles); includes point-to-point wire corrections on the back to make it functional.
Celebration : Wave-soldered Robinson-Nugent sockets with hand-soldered components; manual modifications like added wires and a cut trace on the back.
Improvement : Introduction of wave soldering for sockets improved efficiency and consistency, reducing reliance on fully manual corrections while still allowing targeted fixes.
Processor and Clock Circuit
Computer A : Populated clock circuit at top-left for compatibility with Motorola 6800 or MOS 6501 processors (in addition to the 6502); reflects early design flexibility.
Celebration : Standard MOS 6502 support without populated alternative clock circuit (area marked "6800 Only" but unpopulated, as in production models).
Improvement : Standardization on the 6502's on-chip clock oscillator, eliminating unnecessary compatibility for alternatives to streamline the design.
Capacitors and Power Components
Computer A : Three orange Sprague Atom capacitors (instead of production 'Big Blue'); different diodes and electrolytic caps in power section.
Celebration : Two common silver Sprague 39D capacitors (non-computer-rated, sourced from a local radio shop); silver capacitors throughout, with a large blue capacitor from 1975.
Improvement : Adoption of readily available local components for quick validation, improving sourcing practicality over the phenolic's more experimental setup.
Heatsink and Thermal Management
Computer A : Standard early configuration (no specific deviations noted).
Celebration : Smaller, non-standard heatsink in voltage regulation area; no evidence of a larger production-style heatsink ever being installed.
Improvement : Customized thermal solution to test stability, informing production choices for better heat dissipation in final units.
Timing and Circuit Modifications
Computer A : Revealed several design flaws requiring extensive revisions, including point-to-point fixes.
Celebration : Unique modification to the 74123 timing circuit for DRAM refresh to resolve early timing problems; additional wire and capacitor on back at power supply section.
Improvement : Direct addressing of timing and refresh issues identified in the phenolic prototype, ensuring reliability before scaling to production.
Sockets and Slots
Computer A : Standard early sockets; missing some like C1 (for 6800 only).
Celebration : More expensive Robinson-Nugent sockets (vs. cheaper Texas Instruments in production); unique hand-soldered slot with date code 3175.
Improvement : Upgrade to higher-quality sockets for prototyping, with cost reductions applied in production runs.
Overall Purpose and Significance
Computer A : Initial test board used for experimentation and demonstration to Paul Terrell in 1976, leading to the Byte Shop order of 50 units; highlighted flaws that needed reworking.
Celebration : Validation unit to confirm corrected layout on durable material; predates all retail boards and was never intended for sale, bridging experimentation to manufacturing.
Improvement : Progression from flaw identification and demo (phenolic) to design confirmation (fiberglass), enabling Apple's shift from garage project to viable product.
These evolutions encapsulate Apple's rapid iteration in early 1976: the Apple Computer A exposed foundational problems, while the Celebration incorporated fixes to greenlight the first production run of 50 units for the Byte Shop.
5
July-August 1976 ex Byte Shop
2014 SOLD for $ 900K by Bonhams
The Apple Computer 1 aka Apple-1, created in 1976, was the first personal computer ready to use, which means that the components were assembled on the printed circuit before the sale. The user had however to connect by himself this card to a keyboard, to a monitor and to a tape injecting a program in BASIC language.
The rapid sequence of events that led in 1976 to the production by Jobs and Wozniak of the Apple-1 has become legendary. After the helpful meeting by Wozniak with the electronics enthusiasts of the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, the two Steves design their machine.
We also know the condition set by Paul Terrell who had just founded his specialist Byte Shop retail operation : he agrees to take 50 motherboards at $ 500 each on the condition that the manufacturing time is less than thirty days. The two Steves mobilize their relatives to meet this requirement in their apartments and garages, without having time to arrange a workshop. In July, the Apple 1 was available for $ 666.66, a figure chosen by Wozniak to bring good luck.
The serial numbers from 01-0011 to 01-0070 were not assigned by Apple and do not fully match with the units sold by Byte Shop. Yet they remain a good indicator of the very first production, before a change of source of the PCB.
These examples of the first personal computer obviously appeal to the museums, provided they are in working condition.
One of the 50 units supplied to Byte Shop was sold for $ 900K by Bonhams on October 22, 2014, lot 286. The motherboard is accompanied by its original Apple-1 cassette interface and is still functioning without having undergone repairs. It was acquired by the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan.
Comparison: "ex Byte Shop" Apple-1 (Bonhams Lot 286, sold $905,000 inc. premium on October 22, 2014) vs. Celebration Apple-1 (Registry #75)
The ex Byte Shop (also known as the "Henry Ford" or "Anderson" Apple-1) is a production unit from the first batch of ~50 boards delivered to Paul Terrell's Byte Shop in summer 1976. It was acquired by The Henry Ford Museum and remains one of the best-preserved operational examples.The Celebration is a unique pre-production fiberglass prototype used to validate the final design before full production.
Type/Status
Celebration predates all production units; used to confirm fixes before Byte Shop delivery.
Assembly Date
ex Byte Shop : Summer 1976 (July–August, part of first 50)
Celebration assembled earlier for testing revised layout.
PCB Material
Same material, but Celebration tested durability post-phenolic prototype.
Sockets
Celebration used higher-quality sockets for prototyping; production switched to cheaper ones.
Capacitors/Components
Celebration has hand-sourced/local components and custom fixes (e.g., DRAM refresh mod); production standardized for scale.
Heatsink
Celebration tested alternative thermal setup.
Markings/Modifications
Celebration shows prototype tweaks.
Condition/Functionality
ex Byte Shop prized for pristine production state; Celebration for historical transitional role.
Provenance/Significance
ex Byte Shop represents Apple's first commercial product; Celebration the critical "go/no-go" step enabling it.
Both are 1st-batch-era fiberglass boards with exceptional provenance, but the Celebration is singularly rare as the pre-production "proof" unit, while the ex Byte Shop exemplifies a top-condition retail production board from Apple's breakthrough order.
The rapid sequence of events that led in 1976 to the production by Jobs and Wozniak of the Apple-1 has become legendary. After the helpful meeting by Wozniak with the electronics enthusiasts of the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, the two Steves design their machine.
We also know the condition set by Paul Terrell who had just founded his specialist Byte Shop retail operation : he agrees to take 50 motherboards at $ 500 each on the condition that the manufacturing time is less than thirty days. The two Steves mobilize their relatives to meet this requirement in their apartments and garages, without having time to arrange a workshop. In July, the Apple 1 was available for $ 666.66, a figure chosen by Wozniak to bring good luck.
The serial numbers from 01-0011 to 01-0070 were not assigned by Apple and do not fully match with the units sold by Byte Shop. Yet they remain a good indicator of the very first production, before a change of source of the PCB.
These examples of the first personal computer obviously appeal to the museums, provided they are in working condition.
One of the 50 units supplied to Byte Shop was sold for $ 900K by Bonhams on October 22, 2014, lot 286. The motherboard is accompanied by its original Apple-1 cassette interface and is still functioning without having undergone repairs. It was acquired by the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan.
Comparison: "ex Byte Shop" Apple-1 (Bonhams Lot 286, sold $905,000 inc. premium on October 22, 2014) vs. Celebration Apple-1 (Registry #75)
The ex Byte Shop (also known as the "Henry Ford" or "Anderson" Apple-1) is a production unit from the first batch of ~50 boards delivered to Paul Terrell's Byte Shop in summer 1976. It was acquired by The Henry Ford Museum and remains one of the best-preserved operational examples.The Celebration is a unique pre-production fiberglass prototype used to validate the final design before full production.
Type/Status
Celebration predates all production units; used to confirm fixes before Byte Shop delivery.
Assembly Date
ex Byte Shop : Summer 1976 (July–August, part of first 50)
Celebration assembled earlier for testing revised layout.
PCB Material
Same material, but Celebration tested durability post-phenolic prototype.
Sockets
Celebration used higher-quality sockets for prototyping; production switched to cheaper ones.
Capacitors/Components
Celebration has hand-sourced/local components and custom fixes (e.g., DRAM refresh mod); production standardized for scale.
Heatsink
Celebration tested alternative thermal setup.
Markings/Modifications
Celebration shows prototype tweaks.
Condition/Functionality
ex Byte Shop prized for pristine production state; Celebration for historical transitional role.
Provenance/Significance
ex Byte Shop represents Apple's first commercial product; Celebration the critical "go/no-go" step enabling it.
Both are 1st-batch-era fiberglass boards with exceptional provenance, but the Celebration is singularly rare as the pre-production "proof" unit, while the ex Byte Shop exemplifies a top-condition retail production board from Apple's breakthrough order.
6
ex Jobs and Allen
2024 SOLD for $ 945K by Christie's
Approximately 200 Apple-1 were built. One of them had been kept by Jobs as a demonstration model. It had been fitted with a 4K EPROM bypassing the original PROM monitor for being used as a demonstration unit and had possibly a role in the development of the Apple-II.
Removed from Apple in 1985 after Jobs left the company, it was acquired ca 2005 by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen.
Mounted in a metal casing with a keyboard and a monitor, it was sold for $ 945K from a lower estimate of $ 500K by Christie's on September 10, 2024, lot 10 in the sale of the Allen collection.
Thought by Grok from an ArtHitParade X post :
The Jobs-Allen (also known as the "Demo unit" or "Company Apple") is a modified 2nd-batch production Apple-1 used as an internal demo machine, retained by Apple for demonstrations and kept in Steve Jobs' office until 1985. It features unique company-added enhancements and is housed in a rare prototype metal case.
The ex Byte Shop (also known as the "John Anderson" or "Henry Ford" Apple-1) is a pristine 1st-batch production unit from the initial 50 boards sold to Paul Terrell's Byte Shop, representing one of the first commercial Apple-1s delivered.
Type/Status
Jobs-Allen is later-batch with internal Apple mods for demo purposes; ex Byte Shop is early retail exemplar.
Assembly Date
Jobs-Allen assembled slightly later, with post-production mods for ongoing company use.
PCB Material
Identical; both production-grade post-prototype phase.
Processor/PIA
Jobs-Allen uses plastic variants (common in later units); ex Byte Shop has rarer white ceramic CPU.
RAM
Similar, but Jobs-Allen shows component variation typical of hand-assembly.
Sockets
Comparable; no major differences noted.
Capacitors/Components
Jobs-Allen has mixed colors and added caps for mods; ex Byte Shop standardized blue for production consistency.
Heatsink
Jobs-Allen enhanced for stability during extended demos.
Markings/Modifications
Jobs-Allen heavily modified for faster demos (unique use of breadboard, precursor to Apple II features); ex Byte Shop unmodified factory state.
Case/Accessories
Jobs-Allen in rare metal enclosure for portability/demos; ex Byte Shop bare-board style with add-ons.
Condition/Functionality
Both functional museum pieces; ex Byte Shop rated superb for preservation.
Provenance/Significance
Jobs-Allen tied to internal Apple history and Jobs personally; ex Byte Shop symbolizes retail breakthrough.
Both are among the ~62 surviving Apple-1s (of ~200 produced), but the Jobs-Allen stands out for its modifications and direct Jobs provenance, while the ex Byte Shop is valued for its untouched early-batch purity and role in Apple's market entry. The slight price difference ($945K vs. $905K) reflects inflation and the Jobs-Allen’s unique "from Jobs' office" appeal.
Removed from Apple in 1985 after Jobs left the company, it was acquired ca 2005 by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen.
Mounted in a metal casing with a keyboard and a monitor, it was sold for $ 945K from a lower estimate of $ 500K by Christie's on September 10, 2024, lot 10 in the sale of the Allen collection.
Thought by Grok from an ArtHitParade X post :
- The Apple-1 computer, highlighted in the post, was a groundbreaking 1976 invention by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, featuring a pre-assembled motherboard and video display capability, which set it apart from contemporaries and catalyzed the home computing revolution, with only about 200 units ever produced.
- This specific Apple-1, removed from Steve Jobs' office in 1985 by engineer Don Hutmacher after Jobs' dismissal, is a rare demo unit with a unique EPROM modification, making it a prototype for the Apple II and one of fewer than 100 surviving units, now auctioned from Paul G. Allen’s collection by Christie’s in 2024.
- Historical context reveals Jobs and Wozniak funded the Apple-1’s development by selling personal items, like a VW van and calculator, and its original $666.66 price tag—chosen for its simplicity—reflected their innovative yet pragmatic approach, challenging the norm of expensive, unassembled computer kits.
The Jobs-Allen (also known as the "Demo unit" or "Company Apple") is a modified 2nd-batch production Apple-1 used as an internal demo machine, retained by Apple for demonstrations and kept in Steve Jobs' office until 1985. It features unique company-added enhancements and is housed in a rare prototype metal case.
The ex Byte Shop (also known as the "John Anderson" or "Henry Ford" Apple-1) is a pristine 1st-batch production unit from the initial 50 boards sold to Paul Terrell's Byte Shop, representing one of the first commercial Apple-1s delivered.
Type/Status
Jobs-Allen is later-batch with internal Apple mods for demo purposes; ex Byte Shop is early retail exemplar.
Assembly Date
Jobs-Allen assembled slightly later, with post-production mods for ongoing company use.
PCB Material
Identical; both production-grade post-prototype phase.
Processor/PIA
Jobs-Allen uses plastic variants (common in later units); ex Byte Shop has rarer white ceramic CPU.
RAM
Similar, but Jobs-Allen shows component variation typical of hand-assembly.
Sockets
Comparable; no major differences noted.
Capacitors/Components
Jobs-Allen has mixed colors and added caps for mods; ex Byte Shop standardized blue for production consistency.
Heatsink
Jobs-Allen enhanced for stability during extended demos.
Markings/Modifications
Jobs-Allen heavily modified for faster demos (unique use of breadboard, precursor to Apple II features); ex Byte Shop unmodified factory state.
Case/Accessories
Jobs-Allen in rare metal enclosure for portability/demos; ex Byte Shop bare-board style with add-ons.
Condition/Functionality
Both functional museum pieces; ex Byte Shop rated superb for preservation.
Provenance/Significance
Jobs-Allen tied to internal Apple history and Jobs personally; ex Byte Shop symbolizes retail breakthrough.
Both are among the ~62 surviving Apple-1s (of ~200 produced), but the Jobs-Allen stands out for its modifications and direct Jobs provenance, while the ex Byte Shop is valued for its untouched early-batch purity and role in Apple's market entry. The slight price difference ($945K vs. $905K) reflects inflation and the Jobs-Allen’s unique "from Jobs' office" appeal.
7
motherboard 01-0059
2025 SOLD for $ 570K by Sotheby's
Among about 200 Apple-1, some are casually resurfacing, like this unit left at the beginning of this year in a recycling center by a widow among boxes of obsolete electronic equipment. The owner had failed to provide her identity.
These pioneers of the personal computer obviously appeal to the museums, provided they are in working condition. One of them, sold for $ 375K by Sotheby's on 15 June 2012, is displayed by the Nexon Computer Museum in South Korea. Another one was sold for $ 900K by Bonhams on October 22, 2014 to the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan.
The growing interest in the Apple-1 led to the discovery of functional units that were previously unknown. The registry carefully maintained by Mike Willegal identifies as of 2015 no less than 16 Apple-1 whose satisfactory operational status has been verified since 2010. This high rate is explained by the fact that the Apple-1 was rarely used by its customers due to the significant improvements offered by the Apple-II from the following year.
Bonhams is familiar with these machines. Yet the near new condition, with no peeling in the printed circuit, of the motherboard 01-0059, from the original batch of 50, had aroused their admiration. They sold it for $ 365K on September 21, 2015, lot 77.
Its first owner who sold it before 1981 to a specialized dealer had stated that he had powered it only once or twice, and the dealer kept in on his shelf. The video shared by Bonhams is confirming its remarkable condition. Its microprocessor is an Actel 6502.
This motherboard 36 x 23 x 6.4 cm was sold for $ 570K by Sotheby's on July 17, 2025, lot 19. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
These pioneers of the personal computer obviously appeal to the museums, provided they are in working condition. One of them, sold for $ 375K by Sotheby's on 15 June 2012, is displayed by the Nexon Computer Museum in South Korea. Another one was sold for $ 900K by Bonhams on October 22, 2014 to the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan.
The growing interest in the Apple-1 led to the discovery of functional units that were previously unknown. The registry carefully maintained by Mike Willegal identifies as of 2015 no less than 16 Apple-1 whose satisfactory operational status has been verified since 2010. This high rate is explained by the fact that the Apple-1 was rarely used by its customers due to the significant improvements offered by the Apple-II from the following year.
Bonhams is familiar with these machines. Yet the near new condition, with no peeling in the printed circuit, of the motherboard 01-0059, from the original batch of 50, had aroused their admiration. They sold it for $ 365K on September 21, 2015, lot 77.
Its first owner who sold it before 1981 to a specialized dealer had stated that he had powered it only once or twice, and the dealer kept in on his shelf. The video shared by Bonhams is confirming its remarkable condition. Its microprocessor is an Actel 6502.
This motherboard 36 x 23 x 6.4 cm was sold for $ 570K by Sotheby's on July 17, 2025, lot 19. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
8
Apple I
2012 SOLD for $ 375K by Sotheby's
On June 15, 2012, Sotheby's sold for $ 375K from a lower estimate of $120K an Apple I motherboard which is one of only six which are still identified as being in working condition.
Another example was sold for $ 365K by Christie's on December 11, 2014, lot 34. The invention of the two young engineers attracted some curiosity. This unit was sold by Jobs to a neighbor in his parents' garage at Los Altos on July 27, 1976. The motherboard is accompanied by the Apple 1 user manual. Its operational condition has been verified by an expert.
Another example was sold for $ 365K by Christie's on December 11, 2014, lot 34. The invention of the two young engineers attracted some curiosity. This unit was sold by Jobs to a neighbor in his parents' garage at Los Altos on July 27, 1976. The motherboard is accompanied by the Apple 1 user manual. Its operational condition has been verified by an expert.
1977 Apple Computer poster
2026 SOLD for $ 660K by RR Auction
ex Jobs Apple Computer company poster, closed at $527,920 from an estimate of $5,000+ at RR Auction on January 29, 2026, lot 6014. Textual description, and size. Define position in Apple's timeline.
The Steve Jobs's Personally-Owned 1977 Apple Computer Inc. Poster (Lot 6014 in RR Auction's "Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction," closing January 29, 2026) is a rare vintage promotional poster from Apple's earliest days as a funded company. It sold for $527,920 (well above the $5,000+ estimate), reflecting its provenance: it was personally owned by Steve Jobs and hung in his family's living room at the Los Altos home (where the garage served as Apple's original headquarters and production space).
Textual description: This circa 1977 poster measures 16 x 20 inches and promotes "Apple Computer Inc." shortly after the company secured significant funding (notably Mike Markkula's $250,000 investment in early 1977, which enabled incorporation, hiring, and scaling production beyond the garage). It features early Apple branding, likely including the original rainbow-striped Apple logo (introduced in 1977 with the Apple II era), company name styling as "Apple Computer Inc.," and promotional text emphasizing the revolutionary personal computer vision—positioning Apple as an innovative startup making computing accessible. Such posters were produced in limited quantities for trade shows, dealer displays, internal use, or promotional distribution during the transition from the Apple-1 (sold as bare boards in 1976) to the more professional Apple II launch.
Its significance lies in its extreme rarity as one of the earliest known Apple promotional posters—created in the window between the company's informal startup phase and its formal corporate identity. Unlike later mass-produced posters (e.g., the 1980 "Apple Personal Computers" or "Think" variants), this one captures the raw, bootstrapped excitement of 1977, when Apple was still a tiny operation but poised for explosive growth with the Apple II's debut at the West Coast Computer Faire in April 1977. Its personal association with Jobs (displayed in the family home alongside garage prototypes and early inventory) adds intimate provenance, making it a tangible link to the domestic origins of the company.
In Apple's timeline, this poster dates to early-to-mid 1977 (circa post-January 3, 1977 incorporation):
The Steve Jobs's Personally-Owned 1977 Apple Computer Inc. Poster (Lot 6014 in RR Auction's "Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction," closing January 29, 2026) is a rare vintage promotional poster from Apple's earliest days as a funded company. It sold for $527,920 (well above the $5,000+ estimate), reflecting its provenance: it was personally owned by Steve Jobs and hung in his family's living room at the Los Altos home (where the garage served as Apple's original headquarters and production space).
Textual description: This circa 1977 poster measures 16 x 20 inches and promotes "Apple Computer Inc." shortly after the company secured significant funding (notably Mike Markkula's $250,000 investment in early 1977, which enabled incorporation, hiring, and scaling production beyond the garage). It features early Apple branding, likely including the original rainbow-striped Apple logo (introduced in 1977 with the Apple II era), company name styling as "Apple Computer Inc.," and promotional text emphasizing the revolutionary personal computer vision—positioning Apple as an innovative startup making computing accessible. Such posters were produced in limited quantities for trade shows, dealer displays, internal use, or promotional distribution during the transition from the Apple-1 (sold as bare boards in 1976) to the more professional Apple II launch.
Its significance lies in its extreme rarity as one of the earliest known Apple promotional posters—created in the window between the company's informal startup phase and its formal corporate identity. Unlike later mass-produced posters (e.g., the 1980 "Apple Personal Computers" or "Think" variants), this one captures the raw, bootstrapped excitement of 1977, when Apple was still a tiny operation but poised for explosive growth with the Apple II's debut at the West Coast Computer Faire in April 1977. Its personal association with Jobs (displayed in the family home alongside garage prototypes and early inventory) adds intimate provenance, making it a tangible link to the domestic origins of the company.
In Apple's timeline, this poster dates to early-to-mid 1977 (circa post-January 3, 1977 incorporation):
- 1976 (pre-founding to mid-year): Apple-1 development, first checks (March 1976), partnership formed (April 1, 1976), limited sales of ~200 Apple-1 units (mostly July 1976 onward).
- Late 1976–early 1977: Mike Markkula invests (January 1977), leading to incorporation as Apple Computer Inc. on January 3, 1977; professional structure, funding for Apple II production, and early marketing efforts.
- 1977: Apple II announced/released (April 1977 at WCCF); first widespread promotional materials emerge, including this poster style, to attract dealers, press, and early adopters.
- Post-1977: Branding evolves further with rainbow logo refinements and more polished campaigns (e.g., 1984 Macintosh era).
1980 Apple II Manual
2021 SOLD for $ 790K by RR Auction
With its bare motherboard and its 200 units entirely built by hand, the Apple I could not target more than the hobbyists from Palo Alto and vicinity. The real breakthrough in terms of personal computers was the Apple II, released in 1977. The public already led on by the highly effective Hewlett Packard pocket calculators will very quickly assure the success of the new machines.
The availability from 1979 of a spreadsheet made it hugely popular for a professional use. Taking into account its later variants, it was produced until 1993.
In 1980 the Apple II reference manual is a spiral bound volume of 196 pages 15 x 22 cm. One of them has been inscribed by Steve Jobs. In these few autographed words, 'Steven' Jobs provides to a teenager a clear vision of the impact of the Apple machines on our civilization : "Julian, Your generation is the first to grow up with computers. Go change the world !".
The boy was the son of the UK distributor of Apple II. He was busy with his computer with the user manual in his hands when Jobs, accompanied by his angel investor Mike Markkula, went to visit his father at home. Markkula co-signed the inscription. Julian could not know at that time how scarce the autographs and signatures are.
This book was sold for $ 790K on August 19, 2021 by RR Auction, lot 7001.
The availability from 1979 of a spreadsheet made it hugely popular for a professional use. Taking into account its later variants, it was produced until 1993.
In 1980 the Apple II reference manual is a spiral bound volume of 196 pages 15 x 22 cm. One of them has been inscribed by Steve Jobs. In these few autographed words, 'Steven' Jobs provides to a teenager a clear vision of the impact of the Apple machines on our civilization : "Julian, Your generation is the first to grow up with computers. Go change the world !".
The boy was the son of the UK distributor of Apple II. He was busy with his computer with the user manual in his hands when Jobs, accompanied by his angel investor Mike Markkula, went to visit his father at home. Markkula co-signed the inscription. Julian could not know at that time how scarce the autographs and signatures are.
This book was sold for $ 790K on August 19, 2021 by RR Auction, lot 7001.
