Steve Wozniak-signed Apple 1 motherboard expected to fetch up to $800,000 at Bonhams auction

The motherboard, labeled "Apple Computer 1 / Palo Alto. Ca. Copyright 1976" on the component side, bears an 'NTI' stamp indicating it is from the second production batch. It is complete with a white ceramic MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor, keyboard interface and connector, three original Sprague 'Big Blue' capacitors, 8KB of RAM, and expansion and cassette board connectors.

Bonhams notes that the board comes with all essential accessories needed to get computing done, making it more than a static display piece. The lot also includes a typed letter signed by Steve Jobs in his capacity as Vice President of Operations at Apple Computer Inc., dated January 18, 1978, authorising the original owner, Fred Hatfield, to exchange his Apple 1 for an Apple II 4K board.

The auction represents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a piece of computing history with direct provenance from both of Apple's founders. The Apple 1 was Apple's first product, hand-built by Wozniak and marketed by Jobs, with only about 200 units produced and even fewer known to survive today.

Why This Matters

The auction price will signal current demand for vintage tech artifacts, which have seen strong interest from wealthy collectors and tech executives.
A working Apple 1 with dual founder signatures is exceptionally rare — few boards exist with Wozniak's signature and even fewer with a signed Jobs letter.
The outcome may influence future valuations of early Apple memorabilia and the broader market for computing history.

Background

The Apple 1 was launched in 1976 as Apple Computer Company's first product. It was sold as a bare circuit board — users had to supply their own case, keyboard and monitor. Approximately 200 units were built, and perhaps 60 to 80 are believed to still exist, with only a handful in working condition. The 'Hatfield' Apple 1 is named after its original owner, who later traded it for an Apple II. Signed examples command substantial premiums; a similarly authenticated Apple 1 sold at auction for over $900,000 in 2021.

Key Perspectives

Collectors: The combination of Wozniak's signature on the board itself and Jobs's letter creates a uniquely compelling provenance. Collectors value authenticity and condition — this board is described as working, which adds utility and preservation value. Historians and museums: Institutions may compete for the board to display as a milestone in the personal computer revolution. The letter offers a personal glimpse into early Apple operations. Skeptics: Some auction-watchers may question whether the market has peaked, noting that the estimate range is narrower than the 2013 sale price, perhaps reflecting cautious expectations in a softening luxury collectibles market.

What to Watch

Final hammer price — whether it exceeds the upper estimate of $800,000 or falls short.
Buyer identity — a private collector, a museum, or a deep-pocketed tech figure.
The condition report — any discrepancies between the auction description and the board's actual functionality could affect bidding.

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