Full Breakdown
Steve Jobs Memorabilia Auction Celebrates Apple's 50th Anniversary
1/7/2026, 9:52:46 PM
Auction Overview and Key Items
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Apple Inc., RR Auction has launched a significant online auction featuring a collection of 191 items associated with co-founder Steve Jobs. The auction, titled "Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction," includes a diverse array of memorabilia, from Jobs' childhood belongings to early Apple products. Bidding commenced on January 6 and will continue until January 30, 2026.
Among the auction's highlights is the first check ever issued by Apple Computer, Inc., dated March 16, 1976, and signed by Jobs and co-founder Steve Wozniak. This check, made out to Howard Cantin for his work on the Apple-1 motherboard, has already attracted bids reaching $32,000, with expectations that it could ultimately sell for $500,000 or more. Another notable item is the earliest known Apple-1 prototype motherboard, currently holding a bid of $55,000, with an estimated final price exceeding half a million dollars.
Personal Artifacts from Jobs' Childhood
The auction also features a unique collection of personal items from Jobs' early life, provided by his stepbrother, John Chovanec. This collection includes twelve bow ties from Jobs' high school years, a wooden desk from his childhood bedroom, and a series of Bob Dylan 8-track tapes. Chovanec noted that Jobs was not sentimental about these items, stating, "Steve didn't want any of this stuff... It's just sitting here gathering dust and I want other people to enjoy it."
Other personal artifacts include a handwritten note to Jobs' father on an old Apple business card, car repair manuals annotated by Jobs, and various Apple marketing posters from the 1970s and 1980s. These items offer a rare glimpse into Jobs' formative years and the early days of Apple.
Historical Significance and Market Expectations
The auction is particularly notable for its blend of personal and historical items, which are often rare in memorabilia sales. While many auctions focus on signed items or specific Apple products, this collection emphasizes Jobs' personal history and the origins of Apple. The auction house, RR Auction, is known for handling significant historical artifacts and has previously sold items related to Apple for substantial amounts.
Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction, highlighted the significance of the check, stating, "What makes this check extraordinary is that it predates Apple’s partnership agreement." The auction is expected to attract collectors interested in both the personal and historical aspects of Apple's legacy.
Criticism and Market Observations
Some observers have noted that several items in the auction appear undervalued given their historical significance. For instance, Jobs' original desk has a starting bid of $5,000, with an estimated value of $25,000, while an Apple-1 Byte Shop wooden case is starting at just $500. This discrepancy raises questions about the auction market for such unique memorabilia.
Conclusion
The "Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction" presents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire significant pieces of Apple's history and Jobs' personal life. As the auction progresses, it will be interesting to see how the bids evolve and what final prices these iconic items will fetch.
