Rare Apple I ‘Celebration’ model hitting the auction block, could go for up to $1M

Auction site CharityBuzz, which has previously offered up things like lunch with Tim Cook, has today announced its latest Apple-centric auction. Starting on July 25th and running through August 25th, the site will be auctioning off an incredibly early model of the Apple I.

The Apple I up for auction, which is being called the “Celebration” model, is unique because it features a blank PCB board. This suggests that it was not part of the two known production runs of the Apple I, perhaps meaning that it was an even earlier model that was part of a pre-production test.

In the video below, historian Corey Cohen explains the rarity of the machine, noting that it has different sockets and different components than the rest of the Apple boards had. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak also confirmed that Apple never sold an Apple I with a blank board. Furthermore, Cohen noted that this Apple I is one of the “most unique” units he’s ever seen.

This Apple I is believed to have been manufactured sometime during the summer of 1976, making it one of the earliest models we’ve come across thus far. With its “pristine” condition, Cohen recommends that whoever wins this auction not do anything to it other than put it on display. Currently, there are believed to be between 60 and 70 Apple I computers in the wild.

In the past, we’ve seen Apple I computers go for upwards of $600,000, but due to the rarity of this “Celebration” model, CharityBuzz believes it could fetch up to $1 million or more. 10 percent of the proceeds raised from the auction will go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help support LLS research, patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services.

The auction goes live on July 25th–this coming Monday–and runs through August 25th. Check out CharityBuzz’s landing page for full details on the auction, as well more details about the Apple I “Celebration” model that will be up for grabs.