An Apple-1 is now a work of art

The curiosity generated by the "Ricketts" Apple-1 at a recent Christie's auction shows that there is increasing interest across the globe in collecting vintage computers

On December 11, as part of what was called the "Exceptional Sale", Christie's in New York auctioned off the "Ricketts" Apple-1 personal computer, a surviving example of the first model Apple sold commercially in 1976. This particular computer - a green circuit board mounted under glass - can trace its history clear back to Steve Jobs's parents' garage (its original owner and namesake, Charles Ricketts, bought the computer there, as evidenced by a cancelled check for $600 that is part of the sale). It sold for $365,000 (approximately Rs 2.3 crore), falling shy of the auction house's estimate of $400,000 to $600,000. Another Apple-1 sold for $671,400 last year at Breker auction house in Germany.

To assess the condition of the "Ricketts" Apple-1 and bring it to full operation, Christie's called in Corey Cohen, a 43-year-old manager at a software company and vintage computer enthusiast from New Jersey who has become to early Apple circuitry what Renaissance art historians are to Caravaggios. Cohen speaks about his newfound role and the beauty of the Apple-1 design.

How did you become the go-to guy to assess Apple-1s for auction houses?

There was a sale a few years ago when a board came up at Sotheby's. They were going to do the press event and somehow the machine wasn't working. The owner had come to New York and we'd conversed. I got a panicked call from him. I repaired what was wrong with that machine. Word spread. I started collecting original Apple-1 replacement parts to restore them back to original condition. I got to be known as the parts guy. I'm big into the vintage computer scene.

I didn't realise collecting vintage computers was a scene.

It very much mimics the classic car community. You see the different factions: Should something look cosmetically correct? What's a restoration versus a rebuild? It's less messy than rebuilding an engine of a car. But like car collecting, you're starting to see some of these computers be escalated to works of art.

What accounts for the soaring value of the Apple-1?

Yes, partially because of Apple. There were only 175 made. There are only 60-odd boards that are actually known to still exist. It's probably one of the prettiest boards that you see because it was laid out really well. The Apple-1 board is a piece of art.

What do you look for when assessing an Apple-1?

I'm asked to determine, number one, is it real? A few years ago someone attempted to sell a replica. And I bring equipment with me to test whether I can turn it on. Not every board is worth the risk of turning on. There are three components that could explode and destroy the board. There's a vast difference between a basket case and a working system.

How does the machine's functionality affect its value at auctions?

Ones that don't work can range anywhere from close to $100,000 to $200,000. From a collector perspective, it's about being able to say, "I have a working unit." Having an actual working unit is bragging rights. It's also important how original it is. The other thing that's important is documentation and history.

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