Vintage 1978-era Apple signboard goes up for auction

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Apple sign
What better centerpiece to your Apple collection?
Photo: Nate D. Sanders

Today, the Apple logo is up there with the Nike “swoosh” as one of the world’s most recognizable corporate icons. But, back in 1978, it was the just another logo belonging to an early stage startup that had recently released its first mass-market product, the Apple II computer.

Memorabilia from these early days of Apple is few and far between. However, if you want to get your hands on a piece, an early Apple Retail sign has just come up for auction. It’s not cheap, but it would certainly make a nice addition to any Apple collection.

The listing, from Nate D. Sanders Auctions, reads as follows:

“Original Apple Computer Inc. sign, circa 1978, displaying the famous rainbow apple logo. Large sign measuring over 4′ x 5′ is one of the earliest Apple retail signs, displayed by an authorized reseller who learned about Apple by attending a computer conference in 1976. Acrylic sign in metal frame measures 48.5” x 60.5”. A few surface marks, and some yellowing to background, but rainbow colors remain bright. Overall very good condition.”

The auction runs for the next few days, ending February 25 at 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific. So far, there are no bids on it, but there is a starting price of $12,000. Given the rarity of objects like this, it’s hard to make an educated guess as to how much it could sell for. Back in 2014, a couple of original exterior office building signs, featuring the Apple logo, sold for $35,000. There were probably fewer of those office signs made than there were of the Apple Retail signs, although it’s not clear how many of the latter still exist today. Then again, the current auction sign probably looks nicer as a display item.

If you’re interested, you can check out the auction listing here.

What’s the best piece of Apple memorabilia that you personally own? Let us know in the comments below.

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