Apple I Auction: Gold River Man Nets $300,000 From Vintage Computer Sale

GOLD RIVER (CBS13) — A Gold River man struck gold with an Apple I computer he recently auctioned off for more than $300,000.

Ted Perry loves Apple. In fact, he's a collector of sorts, and it's paid off in a way he couldn't have imagined.

The former psychology teacher traded for one of the first Apple computers ever made more than 30 years ago.

"I thought it's going to be worth something someday."

The company only made about 200 of them. It just looks like a green board, but it's the first computer in its most basic form.

"It's going to be a piece of art. It's going to be something people are going to remember. It's an iconic piece. It's kind of like the Model T Ford—the beginning of cars the way we think about it."

He saw an ad for it about 35 years ago, and he knew he had to have it. So instead of buying it, he just made a trade, giving the original owner some computer items in exchange for the Apple I.

He put it in a box and left it in the garage. Then, a few years ago, he found another Apple I selling for $200,000. So he decided to sell. He contacted a high-priced auction house, and they were interested.

"I'd much rather have the house paid off than have it sit in a cardboard box in the garage."

It didn't take long. Someone in Italy paid more than $300,000 for this piece of history.

Ted never thought old technology could be worth so much.

"There's really the feeling of, 'Oh it really happened, the house is going to be paid off!' Maybe I'll get a Tesla. that would be cool."

With everything he's collected, Ted hasn't decided what he's going to sell next. But in the meantime, he's going to enjoy his Apple products.