Steve Jobs’ Signed Apple Business Card Sells for Record Price
Introduction
Steve Jobs’ signature remains highly coveted, with collectors willing to pay substantial amounts for items bearing his autograph. Recently, a significant sale highlighted the enduring value of Jobs’ memorabilia.
Record-Breaking Sale
A 1983 Apple business card, signed by Steve Jobs, fetched $181,183 at an RR Auction event. This price set a new record for the sale of a business card. The off-white card, featuring the retro rainbow Apple logo, listed Jobs as “Steven Jobs,” chairman of the board of directors, along with the company’s contact details.
Significance of the Sale
Bobby Livingston, Executive Vice President at RR Auction, emphasized that the high price underscores Steve Jobs’ lasting legacy and Apple’s significant impact on modern technology. The auction house has previously sold ten of Jobs’ business cards, but this is the only signed card from 1983, authenticated by PSA/DNA.
Additional Auction Highlights
The auction, titled “Steve Jobs and the Apple Computer Revolution,” included various rare items such as a 4GB model of the original Apple iPhone, which sold for $147,286. Other artifacts from Apple’s history, including rainbow logo displays and vintage laptops, were also featured.
Steve Jobs’ Legacy
Steve Jobs co-founded Apple in 1976 and remained its leader until shortly before his death in 2011. Known for rarely giving autographs, items signed by Jobs are extremely valuable. According to the PFC40 Autograph Index, his signature is the most valuable of any deceased person, surpassing even that of Stephen Hawking.
Other High-Value Sales
While $181,183 for a business card is impressive, other items signed by Jobs have sold for even higher amounts. A typed letter with his signature sold for $479,939 in 2021, and a $175 check signed by Jobs fetched $106,985 in May 2023. Even non-Apple-related items, like a signed movie ticket, have garnered significant prices.
Historic Sale of Apple Documents
The most expensive item related to Steve Jobs was the original signing documents for Apple Computer Corporation. Signed by Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, these documents sold for $1.3 million in 2011, shortly after Jobs’ death.
Conclusion
The recent sale of Steve Jobs’ signed business card for $181,183 highlights the enduring fascination with his legacy and the profound impact he had on the technology industry. Collectors continue to pay premium prices for items associated with Jobs, reflecting his lasting influence and the iconic status of Apple.
