Rare Working Apple-1 with Steve Jobs Letter Heading to Bonhams Auction

A rare, fully operational Apple-1 computer known as the “Hatfield” model is heading to a Bonhams auction in October with an estimated value between 500,000 and 800,000 dollars. The computer is one of fewer than 75 surviving units and belongs to a limited group of machines that still function.

Identified as number 48 in the official registry, the device carries the autograph of Steve Wozniak on the motherboard and features a letter signed by Steve Jobs addressed to original owner Fred Hatfield. Jobs had offered Hatfield the option to trade the computer for an Apple II, an offer Hatfield declined because he would have had to pay an additional 400 dollars. Hatfield later sold the machine in 2013 in non-working condition for 40,000 dollars before it was restored to working order, acquired Wozniak’s signature, and resold at auction for 671,400 dollars.

Bonhams Tours Computer Before October Auction

Before the final sale, Bonhams is exhibiting the computer across the United States. The promotional tour includes stops in Los Angeles from September 9 to 11, Boston from September 21 to 23, and San Francisco from September 30 to October 1. The computer will also be available for public viewing by appointment in these cities.

Bidding for the item will take place as part of the History of Science, Technology, and Computing auction, which runs from October 4 through October 14.

Origins of the Apple-1

Designed and hand-assembled by Wozniak and presented by Jobs in 1976, the Apple-1 was originally conceived as a bare circuit board kit for hobbyists. However, Steve Jobs sold 50 units to a California retailer, The Byte Shop, which commercialized the machines fully assembled at a price of 666.66 dollars. Out of 200 units originally produced, 175 were sold, leaving a small handful of functioning units for collectors in the modern market.