Apple's original founding document, signed by Jobs, heads to auction
What's the story
The original document that officially created Apple in 1976 is going up for auction. The three-page agreement, signed by Apple's iconic founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ron Wayne, is expected to fetch between $2 million and $4 million at Christie's New York saleroom on January 23. The document details the ownership stakes of each founder in the company.
Departure details
Wayne left the company just 2 weeks later
Wayne, who owned 10% of Apple in 1976, left the company just two weeks later. He said he wanted stability and didn't want to take financial risks. In a 2016 BBC interview, Wayne said he didn't regret leaving before Apple became a tech giant but regretted selling his own copy of the founding document for just $500. Today, that same document could be worth millions.
Company growth
Apple's evolution and Wayne's financial decision
After less than a year of its founding, Apple became Apple Computer Inc. By that time, Wayne had already given up all his rights in the company. He was paid around $1,500 to relinquish his stake, which today would be worth over $60 billion. The agreement going up for auction will be sold by Christie's as part of a special event titled "We the People: America at 250."
Auction anticipation
Collectors' interest in Apple's early history
Collectors have always been interested in acquiring artifacts from Apple's early history. In 2023, an unopened first-generation iPhone was sold for $190,000, nearly 300 times its original price. However, the founding agreement is different as it marks the beginning of one of the world's most influential technology companies. The document and Wayne's withdrawal agreement will be offered as a single lot at Christie's upcoming auction.