Steve Jobs’ handwritten Apple-1 ad sells for a whopping 1.4 crore at auction | Trending

A handwritten advertisement Apple founder Steve Jobs for the Apple-1 Computer fetched an impressive $175,759 (approximately ₹ 1.4 crore), as per Boston-based RR Auction. The ad gives an insight into the early days of Apple and the visionary mind of Steve Jobs, who sparked a technological revolution. Steve Jobs drafted this particular advertisement for Apple-1. (RR Auction) The auction house also published a blog discussing this particular advertisement, which was drafted for the Apple-1 computer on an 8.5 x 11 binder sheet in black ink in 1976. The document, acquired the consignor during a visit to Steve Jobs’ garage in the same year, outlined the technical details of the Apple-1 – a computer ahead of its time. Jobs’ handwritten note describes the computer’s features, including power supplies, 8K tes of RAM, an entire CRT terminal with keyboard input, composite video output, and expandability up to 65K via an edge connector. Interestingly, Jobs indicated a preference for the 6501 or 6502 microprocessor due to the presence of BASIC programming. He even provided the exact count of integrated circuits (ICs) used, emphasizing its potential for growth and expandability. The advertisement also features two Polaroid photographs taken at The te Shop in Mountain View, California. One of the pictures shows a fully assembled Apple-1 board, complete with a keyboard and monitor. The other image captures an Apple-1 computer screen displaying an Apple Basic program. An annotation Jobs reads, “Fuzzy because camera wiggled.” The document’s horical significance is further confirmed its alignment with the original Apple-1 advertisement, which was published in the July 1976 issue of Interface Magazine. Apple horian Corey Cohen validated the document’s authenticity, noting that the technical specifications outlined in the handwritten draft perfectly match those of the original ad. In the same issue, R.S. Jones wrote the product review titled “Comparing Apples and Oranges.” The article featured quotes from Jobs and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Steve Jobs’ signature, contact information, and the address of his parents’ home, which served as the Apple Computer Company’s first headquarters, “11161 Cr Dr. Los Altos, CA 940,” adds a personal touch to this advertisement and reveals the company’s humble beginnings. Steve Jobs concluded the advertisement saying that Apple-1 was “a rare deal,” as the board and the manual were quoted for $75. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Arfa Javaid is a journal working with the Hindustan Times’ Delhi team. She covers trending topics, human interest stories, and viral content online. …view detail