Bonhams Auctions Fully Functional Apple I for $500k-$800k

A fully functional Apple I computer is heading to auction, offering collectors a rare chance to own a piece of computing history. This vintage machine, known as the Hatfield unit, carries significant provenance that sets it apart from other surviving examples. Buyers interested in early personal computing hardware should note the strict bidding window and the substantial price tag attached to this specific unit.

Rare bootable unit with Wozniak signature and Jobs letter sells online

The device being sold is Serial Number 48, one of the earliest Apple I computers ever built. It was originally owned by Fred Hatfield, a computer hobbyist who famously refused to trade it for a newer Apple II model. The machine remains in fully functional condition and can boot up, a rare trait for computers of this age.

Specifications

• Condition: Fully functional, bootable
• Serial Number: 48
• Provenance: Signed by Steve Wozniak, includes letter from Steve Jobs
• Estimated Price: $500,000 to $800,000 USD
• Bidding Window: October 4 to October 14, 2024

Key features of this unit include a signature from Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak on the motherboard. The auction package also includes a handwritten letter from Steve Jobs addressed to the original owner. These documents provide verified provenance that validates the machine's authenticity and historical significance.

Bonhams Auction House has set an estimated hammer price between $500,000 and $800,000 USD. The online bidding period opens on October 4, 2024, and closes on October 14, 2024. This timeframe gives international collectors a ten-day window to place their bids before the sale concludes.

This auction highlights the enduring value of early Apple hardware among serious collectors. The combination of a working machine, Wozniak's signature, and Jobs' letter creates a unique lot in the vintage computer market. The final sale price will reflect the rarity of a bootable Apple I with such complete documentation.