A Rare Apple

A rare Apple-1 computer is expected to fetch at least £250,000 when it goes up for auction.

19:30 17 March 2017

A rare, well-preserved Apple-1 computer is to be auctioned on May 20 in Cologne, Germany and is expected to fetch at least £250,000. It is being sold by its original owner, a computer engineer from Berkeley, California. The computer, which is in full working condition, is believed to be one of only eight working examples left in the world.

 

Apple-1 is the first ever product released by Apple in 1976. Designed and built by hand by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, it is now a much sought-after collectors’ item.

 

“The Apple-1 is already a legendary highlight of the great, young history of the computer,” a spokesperson for the auctioneers said. “This Apple-1 has the very rare, original NTI sign.

 

“According to the Apple-1 register, compiled by Mike Willegal, there are only 60 sets still in existence, and a mere eight in working order!

 

“This model has the serial number 01-0073 and is logged as the fourteenth in the register.

 

“The lot also comes with the original documents from the computer's first and only owner, including the receipt for the motherboard and cassette interface dated 30/11/1967 [and] an original letter from Apple Customer Service refusing an upgrade to Apple-II.

 

“The original Apple-1 manual included still shows the primary logo. The founders chose Isaac Newton as a symbol in recognition of the binary system he was credited with inventing in the 18th century.”