
Bonhams reports that the “Hatfield” Apple-1 sold for $1.15 million at its History of Science, Technology & Computing sale, which closed on October 14. Two bidders fought over it for 28 minutes. The price is a new world auction record for a commercially sold Apple-1, and more than double the estimate.
The machine was built by Steve Wozniak in 1976 and is signed by him on the motherboard. It comes with a 1978 letter signed by Steve Jobs to the original owner, Fred Hatfield, offering a trade-in upgrade to the then new Apple II.
It is listed as No. 48 on the Apple-1 Registry. Fewer than 75 verified Apple-1 computers are known to survive, and a smaller number of those still work. This one does. Ian Ehling, Director of Fine Books & Manuscripts, North America at Bonhams, noted the sale came during Apple’s 50th anniversary year.
See more at bonhams.com.