One of the first computers ever built by global computer giant Apple was sold at aauction in New York last night for a reported sum of $905,000 (€715,655). The price paid for the historic computer has lead to it being declared as the world’s most expensive computer relic by Bonhams auction house.
The vintage Apple-1 computer, was reportedly built by hand in 1976 by Steve Wozniak in Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ garage or his sister’s bedroom, fetched nearly double its pre-sale estimate, a spokesperson for Bonhams said. It is believed to have been bought by the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile senior specialist in charge of the sale Cassandra Hatton, couldn’t be happier with the news saying the computer was in outstanding condition. She said “We are thrilled to have broken the world record for its sale, and are even more thrilled that it is going to a wonderful new home at the Henry Ford Museum,”
It is understood that the vintage computer came with an intact motherboard, vintage keyboard, Sanyo monitor, a custom power supply in wooden box and two vintage tape-decks. It is thought that the Apple-1 computer is considered a vanguard of the personal computer revolution, being the first pre-assembled personal computer ever sold.
Bonhams auction house has since said the lot was one of 50 hand-built for the ByteShop by Mr Wozniak in the summer of 1976.