Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Other Telephone Information => Off Topic => Topic started by: TelePlay on June 06, 2022, 08:59:43 PM

Title: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: TelePlay on June 06, 2022, 08:59:43 PM
Saw one of these on Pawn Stars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7jjsvErXD0) (Season 17, Eps 10). The "expert's" appraisal was $500,000.

Saw this one on a TV talk show a week or so ago with them saying it was going up on auction.

Just stumbled on the auction today.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185449020907

It's a 7 day auction, 5+ days left. Starting bid was $0.99. 78 bids latter, the current bid is $111,100.00, but, hey, it's free shipping. A bit more than the half million appraisal a few years ago.

Listing Description:  "This Apple-1 computer has been professionally restored both for originality and operation. It is one of the few remaining Apple-1 boards that is almost completely original and in an operational state. Unlike most remaining Apple-1 computers, it contains almost all period-correct components with the appropriate make, part, and production date for an Apple-1 "NTI" board. The exception is the four 74S257 data selector multiplexor ICs that are Texas Instruments parts with 1977 date codes. Please keep in mind, this is a hand assembled computer that is nearly 46 years old. All of the components have exceeded their design life and can fail at any time even if all precautions are taken. No warranty is provided and no returns will be accepted. You should review the photos, videos, and detailed description before bidding."

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"Apple co-founder and engineer Steve Wozniak is believed to have hand-built about 200 (https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/03/13/rare-functional-apple-1-computer-sold-at-auction-for-458711#:~:text=A%20rare%20functioning%20Apple%2D1,example%22%20worth%20at%20least%20%24500%2C000.) Apple-1 computers. Steve Jobs and company later sold about 175 of those, including 50 in an order to The Byte Shop in California."

That article (link in prior paragraph) said that unit, "A rare functioning Apple-1 computer sold for $458,711.25, including buyer's premium, on Thursday at Boston-based auction house RR Auction." - March  2020

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I guess this, from the description, sums it up nicely:  "Please keep in mind, this is a hand assembled computer that is nearly 46 years old. All of the components have exceeded their design life and can fail at any time even if all precautions are taken. No warranty is provided and no returns will be accepted."

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Bookmark this one. The last 10 seconds of snipes should be fun to watch.

Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: ReneRondeau on June 07, 2022, 12:09:28 PM
Back in 2014 the Henry Ford Museum paid $905,000 for an Apple 1: https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/400080/

This eBay auction will indeed be interesting to watch.
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: FABphones on June 08, 2022, 02:42:30 AM
82 bids so far. Just over four days left on auction. Currently at $125,100.00.
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: RDPipes on June 08, 2022, 07:41:08 AM
One things for sure, with people complaining about inflation, others living on a thread because of the economy
these days and gas sky rocketing there are still some that have money, maybe too much. 
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: TelePlay on June 08, 2022, 08:16:10 AM
As with everything, basic supply and demand at work. For example, on May 5th, 2022, a rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Gullwing Uhlenhaut Coupe sold for $142.5 million. It went so high because the tank was full of gas.

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/mercedes-benz-300-slr-gullwing-uhlenhaut-expensive-car-world/
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: RDPipes on June 08, 2022, 08:31:48 AM
And here I feel bad when I spend over $25 on a phone I don't need. (shaking head in shame)
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: FABphones on June 08, 2022, 10:04:00 AM
QuoteIt went so high because the tank was full of gas...

And who says humour doesn't cross the water.
Sooo funny.
;D

Gullwing. Iconic design.

On the 'would like' list...
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: TelePlay on June 09, 2022, 04:04:03 PM
As of 3 pm CDST on June 9, the high bid is a bit more than $201,000.

4,466 watchers.

2 1/2 days left in the auction.
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: TelePlay on June 11, 2022, 09:10:24 PM
With 14 hours to go, it's up to
$300,100 with a very high number of watchers, 5,898!

The last 30 seconds will be interesting, no snipes if it's at market, big time snipes if not.
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: Doug Rose on June 12, 2022, 11:14:41 AM
Free shipping from Dubai
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: TelePlay on June 12, 2022, 12:03:52 PM
No sniping war, one final bid with 5 seconds to go, sold for $340,100.
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: FABphones on June 12, 2022, 01:05:45 PM
A sign of the times? So many watchers and sold for just over half of the anticipated price.
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: TelePlay on June 12, 2022, 01:44:51 PM
I think this is the 3rd one sold in the past few years. So, could be there are more out there so supply goes up, demand (those who can afford one and don't have one) goes down and discretionary money may be drying up.
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: wds on June 12, 2022, 05:38:37 PM
Yeah, I was going to buy this with my discretionary money but decided to buy gas for my car instead.
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: TelePlay on June 12, 2022, 05:45:48 PM
Quote from: wds on June 12, 2022, 05:38:37 PM. . . was going to buy this with my discretionary money but decided to buy gas for my car instead.

Sold for only 68,020 gallons of gas, good choice! 😉
Title: Re: 1976 Original Apple-1 Computer, fully operational, signed by Woz
Post by: FABphones on June 12, 2022, 05:54:46 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on June 12, 2022, 05:45:48 PMSold for only 68,020 gallons of gas...

If my calcs are correct, that would buy about 38,913 gallons over here...  :-\