Rare Handwritten Steve Jobs Ad for Apple-1 Fetches ₹1.4 Crore

In a remarkable auction event, a handwritten advertisement by Apple's co-founder, Steve Jobs, for the iconic Apple-1 Computer has been sold for a staggering ₹1.4 crore (approximately $175,759). The auction, conducted by Boston-based RR Auction, unveiled not just a piece of Apple's history but also provided insights into the company's humble beginnings.

The advertisement, penned by Jobs himself, is signed in lowercase letters with his full name, "Steven Jobs." What makes this piece truly unique is that it includes the phone number and address of Jobs' parents' house, which also served as the Apple Computer Company's initial headquarters - "11161 Crist Dr., Los Altos, CA 94022, (415) 968-3596."

This handwritten artifact, which essentially functions as a rough draft specification sheet for the Apple-1, was presented to the consignor during a visit to Jobs' garage in 1976. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the early days of Apple's journey.

The advertisement, titled "Apple Computer-1," outlines technical details of the Apple-1 Computer. It mentions the use of a 6800, 6501, or 6502 microprocessor, with a recommendation for the latter two due to their compatibility with BASIC programming. The ad also lists features such as on-board power supplies, 8K bytes of RAM, a full CRT terminal input, and the ability to expand to 65K via an edge connector. Jobs noted that there were 58 integrated circuits, including 16 for 8K RAM. He also mentioned monitor software and the impending arrival of BASIC on ROM.

What's intriguing is that Jobs quoted a price of $75 for the "board only + manual," emphasizing a "real deal" for potential buyers.

The advertisement also included two polaroids of a working Apple-1 prototype taken at The Byte Shop in California. These polaroids showcase the complete Apple-1 computer board, complete with a keyboard and monitor. Additionally, there's an image from an Apple-1 computer displaying an Apple Basic program, which Jobs humorously notes as "fuzzy because the camera wiggled."

Apple historian Corey Cohen has confirmed that the technical specifications in this handwritten advertising draft closely match the original advertisement for the Apple-1. This original ad was first published in the July 1976 issue of Interface Magazine, marking the public debut of a company that would go on to become one of the most valuable and influential tech giants globally.

The sale of this artifact not only provides a glimpse into the past but also highlights the enduring fascination with Apple's history and the profound impact of its co-founder, Steve Jobs, on the world of technology. The handwritten ad's sale price of ₹1.4 crore underscores its significance as a piece of tech history and a cherished collector's item.