Steve Jobs’ handwritten ad sells for massive sum

WEB DESK: A handwritten advertisement crafted by Apple’s founder, Steve Jobs, for the iconic Apple-1 Computer, has recently fetched an impressive $175,759 through Boston-based RR Auction.

The advert provides an insightful glimpse into the early days of Apple, showcasing the visionary prowess and entrepreneurial foresight of Steve Jobs, whose innovative spirit ignited a technological revolution.

This handwritten advertisement, acquired by its consignor during a visit to Steve Jobs’ garage in the same year, features Jobs’ full signature in lowercase print, “steven jobs.” It also includes contact details, such as his parents’ home address and phone number, historically marking the original headquarters of the Apple Computer Company.

The document meticulously outlines the technical specifications of the Apple-1, a groundbreaking computer well ahead of its time.

In his handwritten note, Steve Jobs eloquently describes the computer’s attributes, highlighting features like power supplies, 8K bytes of RAM, a complete CRT terminal with keyboard input, composite video output, and expandability up to 65K through an edge connector.

Remarkably, Jobs expressed a preference for the 6501 or 6502 microprocessor due to the presence of BASIC programming. He even provided the precise count of integrated circuits (ICs) used, underscoring its potential for future growth and expansion.

The advertisement also showcases two Polaroid photographs taken at The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California. One image exhibits a fully assembled Apple-1 board with a keyboard and monitor, while the other captures an Apple-1 computer screen displaying an Apple Basic program. An annotation by Jobs humorously mentions, “Fuzzy because camera wiggled.”

This document’s historical significance is further authenticated by its alignment with the original Apple-1 advertisement, originally published in the July 1976 issue of Interface Magazine.

Apple historian Corey Cohen vouched for the authenticity of the document, noting that the technical specifications outlined in the handwritten draft impeccably mirror those of the original ad.

Within the same issue of the magazine, an article titled “Comparing Apples and Oranges,” penned by R.S. Jones, features quotes from both Steve Jobs and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Steve Jobs eloquently concludes the advertisement by portraying the Apple-1 as “a rare deal,” underscoring its value as the board and manual were priced at $75—a testament to the foundations of the tech giant’s remarkable journey.