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Rare working Apple 1 computer in Fine Books & Manuscripts auction

working Apple 1 computer in Fine Books & Manuscripts auction

by Matt Mensley | June 14th 2012 | 10:00 am

Lot 57 - Apple I Computer - Operational Apple Computer I. An Apple I motherboard, labeled on obverse Apple Computer I, Palo Alto, CA. Copyright 1976. - An exceptionally rare, working example with original Apple cassette interface, operation manuals and a rare basic users’ manual. - Est. 120/180,000 USD

To say that you own an Apple product is not nearly as rare a thing now as it would have been fifteen years ago. Pre-iPod they were mostly the realm of desktop publishers or designers, computing on the creative fringe to the business and corporate side of things.

But what if you were to say you own a working model of the very first computer that set in motion the Cupertino behemoth in 1976, the Apple 1? Hand-built by Steve Wozniack who, together with Steve Jobs, brought about the most complete personal computer available at the time. Essentially a bare circuit board – all the user needed to complete the set up was a case, power supply, keyboard and display – it was certainly innovative over the toggle-and-switch operated competitors of the time.

That chance to own this piece of computing history is yours on this week on June 15th, as Sotheby's 'Fine Books and Manuscripts' auction gets under way, offering up a wealth of surprising finds in addition to the Apple 1.

The nautically inclined may take delight in an 1807 print of The New Practical American Navigator (Lot 7) by Nathaniel Bowditch, the American mathematician who is widely credited as the father of modern maritime navigation. To this day being updated and kept current by the United States Hydrographic Office, it is a maritime treasure that still holds relevance.

A rare archive of acclaimed Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning author Saul Bellow's notebooks and typescripts is also on the block, consisting Humboldt's Gift and the unfinished Zetland (Lot 74) – a compelling collection for the connoisseur of literature looking to delve deeper behind one of the great writers of the 20th century.

Of the Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life – these words should say all that needs be said for Lot 83, Charles Darwin's seminal work detailing his observations and theories that sparked the study of evolutionary biology. This particular lot is an 1859 print of the book that should find pride of place in a scientifically interested collection.

Something on the lighter side that caught our attention was a signed caricature of Albert Einstein (Lot 95). One of the greatest thinkers of the last century as a cartoon, complete with a large and bold signature, is something we would like hanging on our wall.

The 'Fine Books and Manuscripts' auction takes place at 10am on June 15th at Sotheby's New York.

Full information on lots and bidding on the Sotheby's webpages