Apple makes expensive products. And its products can go from expensive to exclusive or beyond reach, if they have something to do with its late co-founder Steve Jobs.
This time, Boston-based RR Auction on sold an Apple II Manual Book Signed by Jobs, for a whopping $787,484.
The 196-page manual is signed and inscribed with a blue ink on the opposite of the book's Table of Contents.
"Julian, Your generation is the first to grow up with computers. Go change the world! steven jobs, 1980"
What makes it even more unique, the book is also signed by Mike Markkula, an early investor in Apple and the company's second CEO.
The book was signed by the two people, because Mike Brewer, an entrepreneur who worked with Apple to distribute the company's products in the UK, brought his son Julian to an event where Jobs and Markkula were promoting Apple
According to Julian Brewer:
"To my amazement it was Steve Jobs and Mike Markkula. I had the manual with me and only later understood how rare it was for Jobs to sign anything, let alone to write an inscription like this. He got on well with Dad, so I feel the inscription was made with care."
At that time, Julian was only a teenager.
He recalled meeting Jobs on one other occasion, when his father was visited Apple in California.
And this manual book here, is the original spiral-bound Apple II Reference Manual.
It details the technical architecture and operation of the Apple II, and also features a fold-out schematic of the computer’s main logic board.
Whereas the Apple I was primarily for hobbyists, with less than 200 units made, Apple II that was launched in 1977, is considered the the computer that helped changed the world.
Apple II was the company's first successful product, and is generally regarded as one of the first computers made for the mass market, with a total of around 5 million units shipped.
The 8-bit home computer that was designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, is considered one of the world's first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products.
The revenue Apple earned from selling Apple II computers helped the company perform well at its IPO.
