Apple computer sells for record $905K in NY–Bonhams

This undated file photo provided by Bonhams shows a vintage 1976 Apple 1 computer that was among the items being offered for auction on Oct. 22, 2014 by Bonhams auction house in New York. AP

NEW YORK–One of the first Apple computers ever built sold in New York on Wednesday for $905,000 (approximately P40,534,950), leading Bonhams auction house to declare it the world’s most expensive computer relic.

The Apple-1 computer, built by hand in 1976 by Steve Wozniak in Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ garage or his sister’s bedroom, fetched nearly twice its pre-sale high estimate, Bonhams said.

It was bought by the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, the auction house said.

Cassandra Hatton, senior specialist in charge of Wednesday’s history of science sale, said that the computer was in outstanding condition.

“We are thrilled to have broken the world record for its sale, and are even more thrilled that it is going to a wonderful new home at the Henry Ford Museum,” she said.

The computer came with an intact motherboard, vintage keyboard, Sanyo monitor, a custom power supply in wooden box and two vintage tape-decks.

The Apple-1 is considered a vanguard of the personal computer revolution, being the first pre-assembled personal computer ever sold.

Bonhams said the lot was one of 50 hand-built for the ByteShop by Wozniak in the summer of 1976.

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