The original contract that created Apple Computer Company is now set for auction, and you are looking at one of the most important papers in tech history. This three page document dates back to April 1, 1976 and laid the foundation for what later became one of the world’s most valuable companies. It clearly defined the early partnership that shaped Apple’s first steps.
The agreement brought Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ron Wayne together under a single vision. Each role mattered. The contract assigned 45 percent ownership to Jobs, 45 percent to Wozniak, and 10 percent to Wayne, which set the company’s initial structure.
Now, Christie’s plans to offer this rare document as a single lot on January 23, 2026. The auction house values it between $2 million and $4 million. As a result, you are seeing history return to the spotlight in a high profile sale.
Ron Wayne’s Quiet Exit From Apple
Soon after Apple formed, Ron Wayne chose to step away from the venture. Just 12 days later, he signed papers confirming his withdrawal from the partnership. These documents also form part of the auction package listed by Christie’s, linking both events in one complete record.
Wayne received $800 for his 10 percent share at the time. Later, he collected an additional $1,500 payment. He explained his decision by saying he knew the path ahead would feel like a roller coaster and he did not want that level of risk.
Today, that choice carries heavy hindsight. If Wayne had kept his share in an untouched form, its value would reach an unthinkable figure based on Apple’s current size. Still, the structure of modern Apple makes that comparison more symbolic than real.
Previous Sales and Growing Value
Wayne once sold the physical copy of the original contract in the early 1990s for $500. At that time, the document held mostly historical value rather than global attention. Still, its importance did not fade.
Years later, Sotheby’s handled the last major sale of Apple’s founding papers in December 2011. That lot included the same withdrawal agreement and attracted strong interest from collectors. It ultimately sold for close to $1.6 million to a private buyer.
Now, as this new auction approaches, you can see how the value of these papers keeps rising. The story of Apple’s beginning continues to captivate collectors and history watchers alike, and the contract stands as proof of where it all began.
