● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsLow impact2 neutral
Working Apple I Computer, Signed by Steve Wozniak, Heads to Auction
Key points
- The "Hatfield" Apple I computer is returning to auction.
- It is expected to sell for $500,000 to $800,000.
- The motherboard is signed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
- Fewer than 75 Apple I computers are known to exist, with fewer still operational.
- The computer comes with a signed letter from Steve Jobs.
- The auction will be held at Bonhams in New York.
- The 'Hatfield' Apple 1 previously sold for $686,000 in 2013.
- The motherboard is labeled "Apple Computer 1 / Palo Alto. Ca. Copyright 1976."
- The motherboard has an 'NTI' stamp underneath.
- The motherboard includes a MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor.
- The motherboard has 8KB RAM.
- The computer includes an original Apple cassette interface board.
Rare Apple I Returns to Auction
The "Hatfield" Apple I computer, which previously sold for $671,400 in 2013, is scheduled for auction this fall. Auction house Bonhams anticipates a sale price ranging from $500,000 to $800,000 for the device. This particular unit is named after its original owner, Fred Hatfield, who purchased it during Apple's first year of operation.
Historical Significance and Scarcity
The Apple I, listed as No. 48 on the Apple I Registry, is one of fewer than 75 surviving units, with even fewer remaining operational. The computer's motherboard bears the signature of Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who designed the machine. Buyers of the original Apple I had to provide their own power supply, keyboard, and monitor, and the device featured 4KB of RAM. Approximately 200 Apple I computers were produced.
Accompanying Steve Jobs Letter
The auction lot also includes a letter signed by Steve Jobs from 1978. In the letter, Jobs offered Hatfield a trade-in for an Apple II 4K board in response to a complaint about the lack of software for the Apple I. Hatfield declined the offer and later sold the Apple I to a collector for $40,000.
Updates
- The computer comes with a signed letter from Steve Jobs.
- The auction will be held at Bonhams in New York.
- The 'Hatfield' Apple 1 previously sold for $686,000 in 2013.
- The motherboard is labeled "Apple Computer 1 / Palo Alto. Ca. Copyright 1976."
- The motherboard has an 'NTI' stamp underneath.
- The motherboard includes a MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor.
- The motherboard has 8KB RAM.
- The computer includes an original Apple cassette interface board.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
A working Apple 1 computer motherboard, signed by Steve Wozniak and accompanied by a letter signed by Steve Jobs, is going up for auction next month with an estimated value of $500,000 to $800,000. This auction highlights the continued high value of early Apple artifacts among collectors.
A rare, working Apple I computer, known as the "Hatfield" Apple I, is going up for auction again, with an expected sale price between $500,000 and $800,000. This event matters as it highlights the enduring value of early computing artifacts and the historical significance of Apple's foundational products.