An Apple-themed auction hosted by RR Auction last week focused on the life and legacy of Steve Jobs, as well as Apple’s monumental role in the tech revolution. The auction featured 175 unique items, each offering a glimpse into the early days of Apple and the journey of its enigmatic co-founder, Steve Jobs. The total sales from the auction reached an impressive $983,096, underscoring the enduring value and fascination surrounding Apple and its pioneering figures.
Polaroid Photos of Apple-1 Prototype: A Glimpse into Apple’s Origins
One of the most notable items in the auction was a trio of ultra-rare Polaroid pictures depicting the Apple-1 prototype. These photographs were not just historical artifacts but pivotal elements in Apple’s early success. The photos were originally given to Paul Terrell, the owner of the Byte Shop, in 1976 as part of Steve Jobs’ pitch to sell the Apple-1 computer. This pitch proved successful, leading to Apple’s first major order of 50 units, which were sold on a “cash on delivery” basis. Without this deal, Apple might not have survived its infancy.
The Polaroids, arriving at the auction directly from Terrell, show the prototype Apple-1 board in detail. They fetched a remarkable $54,904, reflecting their significance in Apple’s history and their rarity as collectible items.
Steve Jobs’s NeXT Badge and Employee Photos: A Piece of Tech History
Another fascinating lot from the auction was Steve Jobs’ original identification badge photo from his time at NeXT, the company he founded after leaving Apple in 1985. The lot also included eight Polaroids of NeXT’s founding employees, each signed and used as an actual ID badge. These items, steeped in the history of Jobs’ post-Apple career and his quest to revolutionize computing yet again, sold for $12,501. The badges offer more than just collectible value—they are tangible pieces of Jobs’ journey from Apple to NeXT and eventually back to Apple, where he would later oversee the creation of iconic products like the iPod and iPhone.
Other Highlights: From Vintage Photos to Early Apple Devices
The auction featured several other remarkable items tied to Steve Jobs and Apple’s storied past. An original 8 x 10-inch satin-finish press photo of Steve Jobs taken in 1992 by John Vorhees for *The Advocate* newspaper sold for $275. This print, complete with editorial markings, offers a rare glimpse of Jobs during a pivotal time in his career as he navigated the challenges of running NeXT.
Notably, the auction also included a signed photograph of current Apple CEO Tim Cook alongside famed musician Dave Grohl. Both figures signed the photo, which sold for $2,145, blending Apple’s modern leadership with its rock-and-roll connections.
A Bargain in the Mix: The Apple QuickTake 100 Digital Camera
Among the items was an Apple QuickTake 100 digital camera, which holds the distinction of being not just Apple’s first digital camera, but also one of the first consumer digital cameras ever released. Despite its historical significance, the camera, listed in “untested condition,” sold for just $330, a relative bargain considering its place in tech history.
The auction’s most expensive item was an Apple-1 computer, which sold for an astonishing $315,914. This particular unit came from the collection of former Apple employee Dana Reddington and included a detailed letter of provenance. Remarkably, the Apple-1 computer had been recently restored to a fully operational state by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen, adding to its allure. According to RR Auction, this unit had been “undiscovered” prior to this sale and is now officially registered as #104 in the Apple-1 Registry.
Other noteworthy items in the auction included an Apple Lisa computer and printer combo that sold for $81,251 and a check signed by Steve Jobs before the official formation of Apple, which fetched $66,844. Even modern Apple collectibles made an appearance, with a sealed 8GB iPhone from the original 2007 launch selling for $25,460.
The RR Auction event was a resounding success, showcasing the enduring appeal and value of Apple memorabilia. Collectors and tech enthusiasts alike were treated to a range of items spanning from the company’s inception to its modern era, highlighting the indelible impact of Steve Jobs and Apple on the world of technology. For those interested in the detailed results of the auction, they are available on the RR Auction website.
