The first Apple Inc computer memorabilia of 2023 is heading to auction at Alexander Historical Auctions in Chesapeake City, MD on 27th January, including the very first Apple Computer trade sign.
The sign, which measures 100 inches long by 20 inches tall, is expected to sell for $50,000.
It was first used by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak at trade shows in 1976 when they first promoted the Apple Computer Company, and was later on display outside the company HQ first at 10260 Bandley Dr. and later at Bubb Rd
The sign includes the famous Apple Inc logo featuring a rainbow coloured apple.
The provenance states the sign is originally from the collection of M. Thomas Liggett, Jr who was employed as a Facilities Engineer by Apple in 1978, becoming employee number 118, and had been given permission to take the sign home after it had been left in a skip following the arrival of a new corporate sign.
The sign was last sold in November 2008 when it was purchased by the All About Apple Museum in Savona, Italy, where it has resided on display ever since.
Apple memorabilia has become hugely popular with collectors in the last few years.
In 2020 an original Apple-1 computer complete with all its original components and accessories sold for $458,711 at RR Auctions, who also sold Steve Jobs signed Apple II manual with the handwritten inscription "Your generation is the first to grow up with computers. Go change the world!" for $787,484.
And in August 2022 RR Auction sold Steve Jobs’ original Apple Computer A proto-type for $677,196.
But it's not just 'the tech stuff' that sells for big bucks. Anything Apple related has seen huge interest in recent months with a $9.18 Apple Inc cheque, signed by Stece Jobs, selling for $55,000 and even Jobs' dirty old Birkenstock sandals selling for a whopping $218,750 in November 2022.
About your Author:
Adrian Roose has over 30 years’ experience covering all aspects of the rare stamp & memorabilia industry during which he has sold over £50m of unique items, helping build collections for Royalty, household name celebrities and 1,000s of collectors around the world.
Adrian was previously a Director at Stanley Gibbons, a Board Member of Stampex, and Executive Director of Paul Fraser Collectibles, PFC Auctions and JustCollecting, prior to founding The Memorabilia Club.