Apple I sells for $210K at Christie's auction in London

One of the first Apple computers ever made, the Apple I, has been sold at a Christie's auction in London on Tuesday. The Apple I, one of only 200 of its kind to have been made, was won by the Italian businessman and private collector Marco Boglione for $210,000.

The Apple I was released in 1976 and originally sold for $666.66.

The computer came with its original packaging, a signed sales letter from co-founder and current CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, as well as an autographed letter by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who was present at the auction. Wozniak said of the Apple I, "It really was an important step, [even though] I didn't feel that way when I designed it." Wozniak added, "I'm very delighted for the gentleman who purchased it."

According to Christies, the Apple I was the first personal computer to come with an assembled motherboard that worked out of the box. However, users still needed to provide their own keyboard, display and power supply. However, according to the BBC, the Apple I's processor works 1,000 times slower than the processor found in today's iPad.

Francesco Boglione, the brother of the winning bidder (who was present at the auction), said that the Apple I would likely be restored to working order before joining a collection of other Apple computers owned by Marco Boglione who "...loves computers."

A detailed picture of the Apple I can be viewed on Christies website here.

[via AppleInsider]
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