Signed Apple-1 Computer Will Head to Auction

A rare Apple-1 signed by Steve Wozniak will go to auction this October with an estimated value of up to $800,000.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Computers

A close-up of a vintage green circuit board computer from 1976 with visible microchips and wiring on a display stand. — A rare Apple-1 computer, signed by co-founder Steve Wozniak and registered as unit number 48, heads to a Bonhams online auction this October. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Bonhams will host an online auction beginning October 4, 2026, featuring a rare Hatfield Apple-1 computer signed by Steve Wozniak. The device, registered as number 48, is expected to fetch between $500,000 and $800,000.

Why it matters

The auction highlights the extreme scarcity of early computing hardware, as fewer than 75 verified units of the original 1976 Apple-1 survive today. This particular unit gained historical significance after Steve Jobs personally attempted to trade the owner for an Apple II in 1978.

The Hatfield Apple-1 is listed as No. 48 on the Apple-1 Registry and represents one of the few surviving units built in 1976. The auction also includes prototypes like the Apple Paladin and Apple Lisa 1, with estimates ranging from $40,000 to $80,000.

The players

Steve Wozniak

He is the co-founder of Apple and the engineer who personally built the original Apple-1 computers.

Steve Jobs

He was the co-founder of Apple who played a central role in the company's early product marketing and business strategy.

Bonhams

It is an international auction house that specializes in the sale of fine art, antiques, and rare historical collectibles.

The details

The auction will be conducted online, with the device being showcased in both San Francisco and New York prior to the sale. The collection also features other rare hardware, including a Macintosh Portable prototype expected to reach between $10,000 and $15,000.

Wozniak built the Apple-1 in 1976.
Jobs offered a trade-in for an Apple II in 1978.
The Apple-1 will be on view in San Francisco from September 30 through October 1, 2026.
The auction and New York display will occur from October 4 through October 14, 2026.

The Tech Race

The sale of the Hatfield Apple-1 underscores the transition of early personal computers from utilitarian machines to highly valued historical artifacts. This reflects a broader trend where vintage hardware from the 1976 era is increasingly positioned as high-end investment assets.

While the auction targets high-end collectors, it demonstrates the substantial long-term appreciation of early consumer technology. Enthusiasts can track the sale to gauge market sentiment for future investments in rare, early-model computing equipment.

The takeaway

Collectors interested in vintage technology should note that hardware provenance, such as original signatures, significantly impacts market valuation. Investing in early-production units remains a niche market driven by rarity rather than technical utility.