Rare Working "Hatfield" Apple-1 Computer At Auction

Bonhams is auctioning the "Hatfield" Apple-1 computer, a rare, working example of the first pre-assembled personal computer, with an estimated sale price of up to $800,000 USD. This particular Apple-1 motherboard, built in 1976, is a second-batch unit and is preserved in operational condition. It features its original MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor, 8KB of RAM, a keyboard interface, three Sprague "Big Blue" capacitors, and its original cassette interface board. This configuration allowed the Apple-1 to be used with a standard monitor, a significant advancement at a time when competing microcomputers often required banks of switches or slow teletype output for interaction. The sale includes a comprehensive set of period accessories, such as the original operation and BASIC manuals, a 1977 Koyo video monitor, a Panasonic cassette recorder, and two period keyboards, enhancing its historical completeness.

What distinguishes the "Hatfield" Apple-1 is its exceptional provenance and the direct connection to Apple's co-founders. The motherboard itself is signed along its top edge by Steve Wozniak, the designer and primary builder of the machine. Furthermore, the lot is accompanied by a typed letter signed by Steve Jobs, dated January 18, 1978. This letter was sent to the original owner, Fred Hatfield, and offered him a trade-in for an Apple II board. Hatfield, who was employed at Computer Data Systems and had previously contacted Apple regarding the Apple-1's limited software library, ultimately chose to keep the computer. The Apple-1 computer is one of only 74 verified surviving units, and its traceable history to its first owner, Fred Hatfield, with nearly all its original components intact, makes it a particularly significant artifact. Many early Apple-1 owners accepted the trade-in offer, and their returned boards were often subsequently dismantled for parts, making intact, documented examples like this one exceedingly rare. The computer's ability to function after more than 45 years further elevates its desirability among collectors of early computing history. The "Hatfield" Apple-1 represents a pivotal moment in the personal computing revolution, embodying the innovative spirit of its creators and the foundational technology that launched Apple Inc. into a global technology giant. Its inclusion in Bonhams' History of Science, Technology & Computing sale underscores its importance as a historical object. The auction house anticipates strong interest from collectors and institutions seeking to acquire a piece of computing history. The estimated value reflects the rarity, condition, and historical significance of this particular machine, positioning it as a highly sought-after item in the memorabilia market. The sale is scheduled to take place in October.