Apple Memorabilia Treasures
written by Alexander Bitar
On the first of April in 1976, the college dropouts Steve and Steve founded Apple Inc. They wanted to revolutionize the computer game, but little did they know that all their early products would become remarkable collectibles.
Apple 1 On display at the Smithsonian, Ed Uthman.
Apple memorabilia – a new collectible
The world of collecting includes all kinds of items. Each decade we see new categories appear. One relatively new and exciting collecting category is Apple memorabilia. Not the fruit, nor Beatles' music company, but Apple Inc. Apple was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. 40-some years after its founding, the company is now the world's most valuable company by looking at Market Capitalization. Not a bad legacy for Steve Jobs, who left us in 2011. During that time, people's interest in Apple and Steve Jobs memorabilia began, and it has since steadily risen.
How much is your MacBook worth?
Well, if it's an Apple 1, the value could be between $100,000 to $750,000 or even more! It all depends on the condition and whether it's fully complete. Old Apple computers are usually in high demand, but it's primarily the Apple 1 that brings the most money. The Apple 1 was introduced in 1976 and wasn't easy to sell at the time. The Apple Lisa computer was released in 1983 and was more successful than its predecessor. A complete Apple Lisa in good condition can reach a hammer price of $50,000 to $100,000 at auction.
Value your Apple and Steve Jobs collectibles here!
Steve Jobs with his MacBook Air at Macworld 2008, Matthew Yohe.
Are vintage Apple products valuable?
The short answer is yes! The early MacBooks are, as written above, of the highest interest. But pretty much all first-generation products from Steve Jobs' time are valuable. A first-generation iPod is worth approximately $35,000, that is, if it's still-sealed. Both the first-generation iPod and iPhone were made in somewhat large quantities. Not at all comparable with today's massive production figures, but indeed a high amount compared with the Apple 1 and the Apple Lisa. So for a first-generation iPhone, meaning an iPhone 1, to be valuable, then it simply must be sealed in its original plastic seal. The most recent sale of a still-sealed iPhone 1 went for $55,000! It was sold by RR Auction, crushing the estimate of $20,000. So if you think that an old and used iPhone 1 can be valuable, you're mistaken. The value lies in that the box is sealed, and thus that the phone has never been touched. The same principle can be applied to collecting vintage music records. If the record is still-sealed, then the value is at least double!
The value of Steve Jobs memorabilia
Steve Jobs is arguably one of the most influential people globally in the last 50 years. Only a few have made such an enormous impact as Steve Jobs. And that shows when it comes to Steve Jobs-related items that have come up at auction. Pretty much everything that's been personally owned and/or used by Steve Jobs is of great value. Just a simple business card is valued at a couple of thousand dollars. His old Birkenstock sandals sold for $218,000(!) by Julien's Auctions in 2022. And to clarify – they were NOT in good condition. They were heavily used by Jobs. Another notable items are his Casio watch that Heritage Auctions sold for $42,500.
Related: Steve Jobs’ Job Application
Steve Jobs shows off the iPhone 4 at the 2010 Worldwide Developers Conference, Matthew Yohe. (Public domain, cropped)
Handwritten and signed Steve Jobs items
Another highly collectible is the autograph of Steve Jobs. Just a signed autograph on a paper cut can sell for a five-figure amount. RR Auction sold an Apple II manual that was inscribed by Jobs: "Julian, Your generation is the first to grow up with computers. Go change the world! Steven Jobs, 1980". The price? Close to $800,000! Last year, RR Auction also sold a check, signed by Jobs and Wozniak, for $163,000. Pretty impressive since the check itself only was for $3,430.
What's the future value of Apple and Steve Jobs collectibles?
Since the legacy of Steve Jobs is growing each year, and the Apple company is getting bigger each year, it's fully reasonable to believe that the value of Apple and Steve Jobs-related collectibles will grow year by year. Anything else would simply be inexplicable.
Value your Apple and Steve Jobs collectibles here!
Alexander Bitar is an international dealer of high-end collectibles. Based in Stockholm with office in Beverly Hills, some of Bitar's specialities are entertainment memorabilia as well as autographs and manuscripts.