Apple I computer was bought at London auction for $174,000

Yesterday Marco Boglione, who is an Italian private collector and businessman, bought at Christie's auction house in London one of the Apple's first computers for $174,000. According to the Associated Press, the Apple I was in superb condition and Boglione will pay something like $210,000 after tax.

When Apple I was released in 1976, its price was $666.66. There were only 200 units made, and only from 30 to 50 are assumed to still exist. Earlier Christie's estimated that their Apple I computer will be bought for $160,000-$240,000. Now it will be shipped to its new owner in the original box and with a signed letter from Apple CEO and cofounder Steve Jobs.

The Associated Press reported that there also were other interesting pieces of technological history on the auction - for instance, writings of the founder of modern computing Alan Turing and an Enigma code-making machine.

By the way, Another Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak also visited the auction and offered to add an autographed letter to the lot that was sold. He told that the event was a historic moment for him and his work, as it was he who had hand-built all the Apple I personal computers.

"Today my heart went out as I got to see things auctioned off like the Turing documents and the Enigma machine — and the Apple I. It really was an important step, (even though) I didn't feel that way when I designed it."