Marco Boglione, an Italian businessman and private collector, made the winning bid, which all in all came to $210,000 after tax, via phone Tuesday at Christie's auction house in London, reported the Associated Press. Beforehand, Christie's thought the computer would go for anywhere from $160,000-240,000. How much did the computer go for during its initial release in 1976? A mere $666.66.
Only 200 of the original computers were made, and only 30 to 50 are said to still be existing. The unit that was auctioned was said to be a "superb example" and came in its original box with a signed letter from Apple cofounder Steve Jobs.
The other Apple cofounder, Steve Wozniak, who had hand-built each of the Apple I personal computers was in attendance at the auction. He had offered to throw in an autographed letter in the lot. Wozniak had told reporters that the auction was a historic moment for his work.
The Apple I wasn't the only tech gem that was auctioned off. According to the AP, it also included other items like an Enigma code-making machine and the writings of Alan Turing, considered "one of the founders of modern computing."
"Today my heart went out as I got to see things auctioned off like the Turing documents and the Enigma machine - and the Apple I," said the Woz after the auction. "It was really an important step, (even though) I didn't feel that way when I designed it."
via AppleInsider
Follow this article's author, Matthew Tilmann on Twitter
(Image courtesy of Christie's)
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