Steve Jobs’ Autographed Letter Fetched a Huge Amount at Auction
In an astonishing turn of events, a typed letter from the late Steve Jobs, the iconic co-founder of Apple, has sold for an eye-watering $479,939 at auction. The letter, which was sent in response to a fan’s request for an autograph back in 1983, features Jobs’ signature beneath a witty reply: “I’m honored that you’d write, but I’m afraid I don’t sign autographs.”
The sale, conducted by RR Auction in 2021, far exceeded the initial estimate of $10,000, highlighting the enduring fascination with Jobs and his groundbreaking contributions to the tech world. It would likely fetch for even more today if it goes back on auction.
The Apple visionary, known for his innovative products like the iPhone and MacBook, passed away in 2011 at the age of 56.
Jobs’ reluctance to provide autographs was well-known, making this signed letter an exceptionally rare find.
According to the auction house, Jobs was “a notoriously difficult signer” who “routinely declined most requests” for autographs. This scarcity has only fueled the demand for his signature among collectors and Apple enthusiasts.
The staggering price of the letter has sparked discussions online, with many people expressing a mix of admiration, humor, and financial comparisons.
A Reddit user shared a personal anecdote: “I was at the Apple Store in NYC when Macbooks were first released. Jobs was there and I was the first one in the store. Not because I was an Apple freak but I was a freelance graphic designer at the time and my old laptop died the day before. I went right to the register to pay for it and Jobs himself was standing behind the register. He asked me what the hurry was, i told him and he opened the box and signed the white laptop with a fresh black sharpie.”
Some commenters couldn’t resist poking fun at the letter’s content. one quipped, “‘Sorry, I don’t speak English’,” while another acknowledged the humor, stating, “I appreciate that humour.”
Others reflected on Jobs’ complicated legacy. An user remarked, “everything new I learn about steve jobs these days makes me feel like he’s a very particular breed of American capitalist that doesn’t really exist any more, but is the exact type of American capitalist that Mad Men is about.”
The sale also prompted comparisons to other high-value items and financial milestones. One redditor noted, “That’s more money than he spent on his first child,” referencing Jobs’ known lack of support for his first daughter, Lisa.
Another suggested that the letter’s value stems from its rarity, stating, “With all the sh*t he pulled, this stands out as the single most decent act he ever did. Pretty sure that’s why the high price.