Handwritten Apple I computer ad by Steve Jobs sold for $175,759

Apple has announced the sale of a handwritten Apple computer ad by its founder, Steve Jobs at an auction. The ad which is a handwritten draft by the founder has served as an advertisement for the groundbreaking Apple I computer and fetched a valuation of $175,759. This far surpasses the initial estimated value of $30,000.

The significance of this artefact is highlighted by the unexpected increase in bidding that raised the final price approximately six times higher than anticipated.

The draft itself, dating back to 1976, carries the Steve Jobs’ creativity. This connection to one of the most influential figures in the tech industry adds to the item’s value. The advertisement is described as a “historic early advertising draft for the ‘Apple Computer-1′” and is written entirely by Jobs himself. Alongside his handwritten text, the draft includes two Polaroid photographs showcasing the working prototype of the Apple I.

As seen in a report by Mybroadband, these photographs were taken at The Byte Shop, an integral part of the computer’s early history.

The annotations made by Steve Jobs on this draft introduce a higher value by offering a deeper understanding during the early phases of Apple’s development. These annotations serve as a portal into Jobs’ vision for promoting the Apple I computer, a vision that would go on to play a pivotal role in the transformative journey of personal computing.

These handwritten notes provide a unique insight into the strategies, ideas, and how best to market the Apple I. As such, they interpret the essence of Jobs’ creativity by selling a groundbreaking technological product.

The auction listing’s description underlines the historical significance of this draft. Its connection to Steve Jobs and the formation of Apple makes it a historical artefact that notes a crucial part of technology. This draft not only represents the early days of Apple but also signifies the broader narrative of the digital revolution that unfolded over decades.

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More on the handwritten Apple computer ad sales

The ad includes a brief description of the computer:

All Power Supplies, 8K bytes of RAM (16 pin 4K dynamic), full crt terminal—input: ASC11 Keybd, output: composite vidio [sic], fully expandable to 65K via edge connector, 58 ic’s which includes 16 for 8K ram!! Monitor software (for 2 proms on board (256 bytes) included.

The sale portrays the lasting impact of Steve Jobs’ products and the continued growth that has been recorded since Apple’s beginnings. Also, this auction serves as a reminder of the transformative power of ideas and how technological milestones can be preserved in the coming years.

In the closing lines of the advertisement draft, Steve Jobs highlights an offer by quoting a price of $75 for the “board only + manual,”. This pricing strategy aimed to entice potential customers with what Jobs perceived as a valuable proposition. Notably, these words are part of the handwritten draft for the Apple I computer’s advertisement, which recently garnered significant attention at an auction

Apple historian, Corey Cohen has drawn attention to the fact that the technical specifications and details present in this handwritten advertising draft closely align with those of the original advertisement for the Apple I. This initial advertisement made its debut in the July 1976 edition of Interface Magazine, marking a pivotal moment in Apple’s early history.

“This first marketing blitz granted Apple the requisite funding to evolve from ‘two guys in a garage’ to two of the most influential figures of the late 20th century,” the auction listing reads.

The auction listing underscores the significance of this advertising effort, recognizing it as the major factor that facilitated Apple’s evolution to a powerhouse of innovation. Jobs’ strategic pricing quote, mirrored in both the draft and the published advertisement, reflects his knack for driving sales with his unique approach to marketing.

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