Rare Apple computer sold from Jobs' garage to be auctioned

The iconic original Apple 1 will be on offer at a Christie's auction in central London on October 9, the Daily Mail reported.

It has come from the estate of Joe Copson, a former Apple employee.

Fewer than 50 original Apple 1s are believed to survive, with only six known to be in working condition.

The rare opportunity to buy an original is expected to attract worldwide interest from museums and private technology collectors.

"This is the computer that started Apple, now recognised as the most valuable company in the world. Its significance in making computer technology accessible for all cannot be undervalued," Christie's scientific specialist James Hyslop said.

Apple 1 computers did not have a keyboard or monitor, meaning users had to supply their own.

They also had a tiny 8K memory and were designed and hand-built by Jobs' friend and co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Before the Apple 1, anyone wanting a computer had to solder it together themselves.

The Apple-1's fully assembled motherboard made it ready to use straight from the box - provided the buyer supplied their own keyboard, power supply and display.

Launched in Palo Alto, California, in July 1976, it was priced at USD 666.66 (420 pounds) - reportedly because Wozniak liked repeating digits.

Jobs sent them direct to buyers from the garage of his parents' house, but by April 1977 the price had dropped to USD 475 (300 pounds).

By the time it was discontinued in October 1977, around 200 Apple 1s had been produced.

Earlier this year, a rare working Apple 1 computer has been sold at auction in New York for USD 3,74,500 to an unidentified bidder.