Steve Wozniak-signed Apple 1 motherboard expected to achieve up to $800,000 at auction — fully working board also comes with a signed letter from Steve Jobs
A 'beautifully preserved in working condition' Apple-1 computer motherboard signed by Steve Wozniak with a letter signed by Steve Jobs is up for auction next month at Bonhams in New York.
An Apple 1 computer motherboard signed by Steve Wozniak, coupled with a letter from Steve Jobs, is set to be auctioned next month at Bonhams in New York. The estimated value of this piece of computing history ranges from US$500,000 to US$800,000, although it previously sold for $686,000 in 2013. This "Hatfield" Apple 1 is not merely a display piece; it is a fully functional model that comes with all necessary accessories for computing purposes.
The motherboard, labeled "Apple Computer 1 / Palo Alto. Ca. Copyright 1976," includes a white ceramic MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor, keyboard interface, connector, 3 original Sprague 'Big Blue' capacitors, 8KB RAM, expansion connector, cassette board connector, and an Apple cassette interface board. Additionally, it features a period-appropriate monitor, cassette recorder, and pair of ASCII keyboards, along with manuals such as the Apple-1 Operation Manual, Preliminary Apple BASIC Users Manual, and Apple 1 Cassette Interface manual.
A significant highlight of the auction is the signed letter from Steve Jobs, dated 1978, to the original owner, Fred Hatfield. The letter authorizes the exchange of the Apple 1 for an Apple II 4k board and was in response to Hatfield's dissatisfaction over the lack of software for the Apple 1. Jobs signed the letter as Vice President, Operations of Apple Computer Inc.
The Apple 1 computer was first demonstrated in early 1976 and was personally designed and hand-built by Wozniak. It was sold to Homebrew Computer Club members and Byte Shop visitors in the summer of 1976. Only less than 200 Apple 1 systems were ever produced. The Hatfield Apple 1 was initially purchased by Fred Hatfield in 1976 from the second batch made available.
This particular Apple 1 last changed hands in 2013 for $686,000 at auction. The estimated range of US$500,000 to US$800,000 this time might appear low, but Bonhams may use this tactic to attract broader interest. The auction will take place between October 4 and 14 as part of the History of Science, Technology & Computing auctions at Bonhams, New York, and can be accessed online.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Hardware's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
