First ever Apple Computers sign up for auction

I thought this was pretty interesting. The first ever Apple Computers sign is up for auction:

Alexander Autographs : Full Details for Lot 1313



APPLE COMPUTER'S FIRST TRADE SIGN
We offer nothing less than a true icon of American industry, the very first sign used by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak to promote their fledgling start-up, Apple Computer Co. at the first trade shows they attended in 1976, and which remained in service for years outside the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California. The sign measures an impressive 100" long x 22 1/2" tall, and its original weathered wood frame is about 1 1/2" thick. The sign within is made of opaque white Plexiglas bearing "apple computer inc." in black lettering applied thereto. At left appears Apple's rainbow-colored apple-shaped logo, also applied to the Plexiglas. The sign was originally part of a light box when used at trade shows, and then was called back into service when Apple's new sign proved to be less than what its founders hoped for.



This historic relic was obtained directly from M. Thomas Liggett, Jr. who was hired by Apple as a Facilities Engineer "B" in 1978, Apple Computer Employee #114. In his letter of provenance (original included), Liggett notes: "...In my rounds of the building, I had noted a fluorescent light box...that had both the Apple logo on it, along with the words "apple computer inc." written on it. I was told that said device was from the first industry trade show that Steve Jobs and [Steve] Wozniak had attended, when they were showing the Apple I [ca. late 1976]...I was directed to throw [it] away. I asked and received permission to take it home, where it stayed...At that time there was no sign out on the street in front of 10260 Bandley Dr. [Apple headquarters] and folks with business with us were constantly complaining that we were hard to find...Steve Jobs had...paid $6,000 for a sign with solid brass letters, but it was set to arrive in some vague future...I came up with turning the light box's lens into a 'temporary sign'. I was given permission...In its present iteration, that sign hung for over one year in front of the 10260 Bandley Dr. location, then in front of one of our two Bubb Rd. buildings. When Steve Jobs' brass sign turned out not to be what was hoped for...[this sign] went back up in front of 10260 Bandley Dr., until the then new-style redwood sign arrived...the sign that I made ended up in the dumpster and I once again asked and received permission to take it home as my own property. I have owned it since...".



Apple was founded on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne to sell the Apple I personal computer kit. They were hand-built by Steve Wozniak in the living room of Jobs' parents' home, and the Apple I was first shown to the public at the Homebrew Computer Club. Eventually, 200 computers were built. In contrast, last year Apple Computers had over $24,000,000,000 in gross sales. This is certainly one of the most important American industrial relics ever offered, worthy of display at the Smithsonian!
Estimate $ 15,000-20,000

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Originally Posted by tavenger5

I thought this was pretty interesting. The first ever Apple Computers sign is up for auction:




Estimate $ 15,000-20,000

uh, the sign for ENRON got a lot more than that. I guess they should wait till apple goes bankrupt......