Boston.- An authenticated prototype of the Apple I computer made in the mid-1970s sold at auction for nearly $700,000.
The prototype was used by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in 1976 to demonstrate the Apple I to Paul Terrell, owner of The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California, one of the world’s first personal computer stores, the company said. Boston-based auctioneer RR Auction said in a statement.
A collector who wishes to remain anonymous placed the winning bid of $677,196 on Thursday, the auction house said.
“There is no Apple I without this card – it is the holy grail of Steve Jobs and Apple memorabilia,” said Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of RR Auction.
The card has been checked against photographs taken by Terrell in 1976, showing the prototype in use. It has also been examined and authenticated by Apple I expert Corey Cohen, whose 13-page notarized report accompanied the sale.
The prototype sat on the property of the Apple Garage for many years before Jobs gave it to the seller some 30 years ago.
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