Handwritten Apple Ad Draft by Steve Jobs Goes for $175,000 at Auction
An original handwritten advertisement for the Apple-1 Computer, penned entirely by Steve Jobs, has sold for $175,759 at RR Auction.
The rough draft specification sheet for the groundbreaking Apple-1 bears Jobs' full signature in lowercase print, "steven jobs." It features contact information, including his parents' home address and phone numbe, historically, the original headquarters of the Apple Computer Company.
Within the draft, Steve Jobs highlights the technical specifications of the Apple-1, revealing that it was designed to utilize a 6800, 6501, or 6502 microprocessor. He suggests that the 6501 or 6502 is recommended due to the availability of "basic" software. The document delves further into the onboard features, noting the Apple-1's capacity for full expandability to 65K via an edge connector, housing 58 integrated circuits, including 16 for 8K RAM. Interestingly, the draft makes mention of "basic on the way (ROM)," a concept that would eventually materialize in the Apple II, rather than the Apple-1.
Perhaps most captivating is the price point Jobs cites in the draft: a modest $75 for the "board only + manual" which he deems a "real deal."
Other highlights from the sale included a fully operational Apple-1 Computer, signed by Steve Wozniak, which made $223,520, and a Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak signed 1976 Apple Computer Check No. 2 which fetched $135,261.
