Apple I Computer, 1976. (Courtesy Sotheby's)

This morning, Sotheby’s New York sold an Apple Computer for $374,500—more than twice its high estimate of $180,000—in its Fine Books & Manuscripts sale. The computer, a 1976 Apple I, one of the first compact model computer that could be used by non-experts to type on a keyboard and operate basic programs, ushered in the era of personal computing.

Two bidders apparently battled for the device, a gem created by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak of which there are only a handful in working use in existence. One bidder competed over the phone, while the other was an “order bid,” with the house acting on behalf of an absent bidder. The computer went to the phone bidder.

Who would buy a computer capable of only basic programming? As one friend put it coyly over dinner when the sale of the computer was first announced, “What happens when you get tired of putting your friends’ names in alphabetical order?” Alas, for now, we don't know. The winning bidder was anonymous.

Apple I (Courtesy Sotheby's)

On June 15, Sotheby’s will auction an Apple I, “an exceptionally rare working example of the first Apple computer.” It is believed there are less than 50 of the computers in existence, and only six in working condition.

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created the Apple Computer in 1976 and that year presented it to the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, Calif. Paul Terrell, the owner of Byte Shop, bought 50 for $500 each.

This artifact from the earliest days of personal computing, which will come replete with the original cassette interface and a rare BASIC users’ manual, will be included in the house's books and manuscripts sale, and is estimated to reach $120/180,000.

But, before you drop six figures on this rare piece of computing, keep in mind that the Apple I did not come with a monitor, keyboard or power supply.