A Steve Jobs memorabilia auction featuring the first Apple check, his desk, and personal items has drawn massive interest, with the historic check selling for $2.4 million and other rare artifacts available to collectors.
A Steve Jobs memorabilia auction has captured the attention of Apple enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, with the historic first check signed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak selling for an astounding $2,409,886. The auction, run by RR Auction, concluded on January 30th and featured an extraordinary collection of Apple history artifacts, personal items from Jobs' life, and rare Apple memorabilia.
The Star of the Auction: First Apple Check
The centerpiece of the auction was undoubtedly the first check ever issued by Apple Computer Company, dated April 4, 1976. This historic document, written to circuit board designer Howard Canton for $500, represents the very beginning of what would become the world's most valuable company. Canton revealed that Jobs gave him a choice between the check and Apple stock at the time, and he opted for the tangible check – a decision that would prove financially interesting in hindsight.
Personal Items from Jobs' Life
Among the most intriguing items were personal possessions from Steve Jobs' childhood and early years. The auction included his childhood desk, which had a starting bid of $5,000 and an estimated value of $25,000 or more. Perhaps more surprisingly, the collection featured a set of bow ties that Jobs wore during his school years, offering a glimpse into the young man who would revolutionize technology.
These personal items came from John Chovanec, Steve's stepbrother, who had possession of many contents from Jobs' childhood bedroom. Chovanec shared a memorable story about Jobs taking him into that bedroom – the same house with the famed garage where the first Apple computers were assembled – and showing him how the early Macintosh was developed on an original Macintosh computer.
Rare Apple Prototypes and Hardware
The auction featured several extremely rare Apple prototypes and early hardware pieces. The earliest known Apple 1 prototype was available with a starting bid of $50,000 and an estimate exceeding half a million dollars. Other notable items included:
- An Apple 1 Byte Shop wooden case personally owned by Steve Jobs (starting bid: $500, estimated: $5,000)
- An Apple 1 heatsink personally owned by Jobs
- An Apple 1 ribbon cable with Jobs' provenance
Surprisingly Accessible Items
Some items in the auction had surprisingly low starting bids, making them potentially accessible to a broader range of collectors. Several posters personally owned by Steve Jobs were available with starting bids of just $200. Additionally, there were various Apple memorabilia items that, while not directly owned by Jobs, represented important pieces of Apple history.
The Significance for Apple History
This auction represents a unique opportunity to own pieces of computing history. The items span from Apple's founding days through Jobs' personal life, creating a comprehensive narrative of both the company's and the man's journey. For serious collectors and Apple enthusiasts, these artifacts offer tangible connections to the company that transformed personal computing, mobile technology, and multiple industries.
Market for Tech Memorabilia
The strong prices achieved in this auction reflect the growing market for technology memorabilia, particularly items associated with influential figures like Steve Jobs. As Apple continues to be one of the world's most valuable and influential companies, artifacts from its early days and from Jobs' personal collection become increasingly valuable both monetarily and historically.
The success of this auction may encourage other early Apple employees and associates to consider selling their own memorabilia, potentially leading to more opportunities for collectors to acquire pieces of tech history. It also highlights the enduring fascination with Steve Jobs and his role in shaping modern technology.
Looking Forward
As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the preservation of early computing artifacts becomes increasingly important for understanding the industry's development. Auctions like this serve not only as marketplaces for collectors but also as historical records that help document the origins of the digital age we now inhabit.
The $2.4 million price tag for the first Apple check demonstrates that for many collectors, owning a piece of this history is worth a significant investment, ensuring that these artifacts will be preserved and appreciated for generations to come.
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