Rare Apple-1 computer set to sell for £250,000

Unpublished
Cologne, Germany - A rare Apple-1 computer is expected to fetch more than £250,000 when it goes up for auction. It is the “best-preserved example of an Apple-1 computer to appear on the market”, according to German auctioneers Team Breker. Released in 1976, the Apple-1 was the tech giant’s first ever product and is now a much sought-after collectors’ item. Only 200 examples of the Apple-1 desktop computers were ever made, designed and built by hand by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak in Silicon Valley. This Apple-1 computer, which is in full working condition, is being sold by its original owner, a computer engineer from Berkeley, California. It is believed to be just one of eight working examples left in the world. It is also accompanied by an archive of original documents, including the preliminary operation manual, circuit diagrams and even notes of telephone calls between Steve Jobs and Wozniak in 1977. “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! 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.” It is set to be auctioned in Cologne, Germany, on May 20.(FA)

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