1976 Apple Computer Check No. 5 Filled Out and Signed by Steve Jobs Reaches $46K at Auction

This 1976 Apple Computer Co. check No. 5 was filled out and signed entirely by Steve Jobs, payable to the University Art Center for $13.25. The address is handwritten in as “Apple Computer Co., 968-3596,” which is the famed ‘Apple Garage’ property in Los Altos.

Why did Steve Jobs write the address in? Well, the partnership did not become official until 10-days later. This temporary check was issued upon opening Apple’s first bank account, thus it bears the same routing and account numbers as other early Apple Computer Company checks you may have seen online. At the time of this post, bidding has reached $46,000 with 17-days left on the auction.

Marked as check ‘No. 5,’ this ultra-early check pre-dates the official founding of Apple Computer, Inc.—some ten days later, on April 1, 1976, co-founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne would sign the partnership agreement that officially brought Apple Computer into existence,” said RR Auction.