Rare Working Apple-1 Could Fetch $800,000 at Auction

An original Apple-1 Computer, described as one of fewer than 75 operational units, is expected to fetch between $500,000 and $800,000 at an upcoming auction in October. This particular unit, known as the Hatfield Apple-1, holds special significance as it is number 48 on the Apple-1 registry and is currently in working condition.

The machine was acquired by Fred Hatfield, a computer enthusiast and ex-employee of Computer Data Systems, who signed for it. The Apple-1 is notably signed by Steve Wozniak and includes a letter from Steve Jobs. After Hatfield purchased the device in 2013 for $40,000, it was later sold at auction for $671,400 in a functional state.

The original run of Apple-1 computers, produced by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976, consisted of only 200 units. These early machines were initially sold as kits for hobbyists, but Jobs sold 50 fully assembled versions to The Byte Shop, who resold them for $666.66 each. The Hatfield Apple-1 will be on public and private view in Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, and New York prior to its auction, with the viewing schedules listed on the auctioneer's website.

Bidding will be open from October 4 to October 14. In the past, fully functional Apple-1 computers have been known to sell for over $900,000 at auctions, but prices fluctuate depending on factors such as condition and provenance.