Steve Jobs Business Card Sets New World Record in RR Auction’s Apple Event

_{by Brooke Kennedy}

In the market of vintage technology, Apple has always been firmly held in high regard, and with RR Auction’s latest event that has yet to change. Presenting 120 lots, this auction brings back nostalgia with original Apple hardware, classic video games, and some hard-to-find signed items.

Record-Breakers

This auction sees RR setting two new world records – including the most expensive business card ever sold. Clocking in at a high bid of $181,183, the card features the elusive signature of one Steve Jobs, founder and driving force behind Apple. Next to his neatly penned autograph are the company name with the original ‘rainbow’ logo, his title, “Chairman, Board of Directors,” and the company address and contact information, “10260 Bandley Drive, Cupertino, California 95014, (408) 996-1010.” In addition, PSA/DNA has encapsulated the piece and graded it a perfect “GEM MT 10.”

“When I was eleven years old, I was a business card collector… I would collect business cards from any business or store that I would run into in my daily life. I also sent letters to famous people asking them for their signed business cards,” said the consignor, who wished to remain anonymous. For years after, their collection would remain packed away, but when the pandemic left everyone stuck inside their homes an intense basement clearing was in order. “During the clean up, we came upon my business card collection. We flipped through the photo album to see which cards I had and to see if any of them might be valuable. The best one we found was a card signed by Steve Jobs.”

The market for Steve Jobs has become more lucrative than ever as is evidenced by this sale. Previously RR Auction has offered 10 unsigned Steve Jobs business cards with only one of those dating to circa 1983, making this the first signed variant to come to our auction block.

Following the business card in its record-breaking stead is Apple Computer Company check no. 3, also signed by Jobs, with a final bid of $176,850. Dated March 19, 1976, this temporary Wells Fargo bank check was made payable to Elmar Electronics for an amount of $13.86, likely for component parts associated with the first Apple-1s. 13 days after signing this check, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne would sign the partnership agreement that marked the beginning of Apple Computer.

Also marked with the address of the famed ‘Apple Garage’ (11161 Crest Dr. Los Altos, Ca. 94022), Jobs’ clear signature earned a perfect PSA grade of “GEM MT 10.” Prior to this sale, the record was held by a Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak signed Apple Computer Company check, also sold by RR in March 2022, for $163,923.

Vintage Video Games

Among other vintage items, video games and large arcade consoles, like Computer Space, became bidder favorites. The large, shiny blue console boasts the honor of being the first arcade game ever made, and it closed out the auction at a high bid of $69,773 for its consignor. Prior to Atari’s PONG, Syzygy Engineering’s Computer Space paved the way for the future of gaming.

The cabinet style structure would become the standard for arcade games that followed, and its developers would see more success in their careers. After its release, founders Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney sought to incorporate Syzygy Engineering, but the name had already been taken. So, inspired by the Japanese game Go, the company became Atari.

Another auction comes to a close, and RR Auction is seeking autographs and artifacts to sell in our events in the coming months. Our deadline is open for items to be featured in Art, Literature, and Classical Music, Revolutionary war, Olympics, and our second annual Steve Jobs and Apple auction scheduled for August. Our professionals can take your call at 800-937-3880 or send photos of your rare pieces by clicking the button below.