Remember the Apple I computer that was to go up for auction?  Well sorry to burst the bubble, but if you were hoping to get your bid in, it's a bit too late.  A version of Apple's first computer, dubbed the Apple I, was sold for $174,000 at an auction in London on Tuesday.

Marco Boglione, an Italian businessman and private collector, made the winning bid, which all in all came to $210,000 after tax, via phone Tuesday at Christie's auction house in London, reported the Associated Press.  Beforehand, Christie's thought the computer would go for anywhere from $160,000-240,000.  How much did the computer go for during its initial release in 1976?  A mere $666.66.

Only 200 of the original computers were made, and only 30 to 50 are said to still be existing.  The unit that was auctioned was said to be a "superb example" and came in its original box with a signed letter from Apple cofounder Steve Jobs.

The other Apple cofounder, Steve Wozniak, who had hand-built each of the Apple I personal computers was in attendance at the auction.  He had offered to throw in an autographed letter in the lot.  Wozniak had told reporters that the auction was a historic moment for his work.

The Apple I wasn't the only tech gem that was auctioned off.  According to the AP, it also included other items like an Enigma code-making machine and the writings of Alan Turing, considered "one of the founders of modern computing."

"Today my heart went out as I got to see things auctioned off like the Turing documents and the Enigma machine - and the Apple I," said the Woz after the auction.  "It was really an important step, (even though) I didn't feel that way when I designed it."

via AppleInsider

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(Image courtesy of Christie's)