The general condition is excellent, and the original parts are also in good condition.

As usual, the processor is an MCS 6502 in the much sought-after white ceramic version. Corey Cohen has inspected many Apple-1 computers.

The Apple-1 is fully functional, which is not often the case. Corey Cohen last switched on the computer in 2015, and this is recorded on video.

The owner made no modifications and, apart from the expected ageing, the Apple-1 still looks remarkably fresh. The dust was deliberately not removed.

The number 01-0022 is handwritten on the back of the Apple-1. The Apple-1 which went to the Henry Ford Museum for more than US$ 900,000 has the number 01-0070, and many other Apple-1 computers have no number at all. The full story can be read here.

There is also a round punch with the number 7 on the back of the board.

The Byte Shop theory seems plausible. Only one question remained: why do numbers greater than 50 exist? Mike Willegal found an explanation: Data Domain Computer had purchased Apple-1 computers directly from The Byte Shop. Mike asked Thom Hogan from Data Domain Computer about this. At that time, Data Domain Computers had found practical applications for the Apple-1. One was at the Kentucky Derby.

The sale of Apple-1 computers by The Byte Shop to Data Domain Computers explains the higher numbers quite well.

In any case, there are computers whose handwritten number is greater than 50, but which were still sold by The Byte Shop. That is not a contradiction because when Apple-1 computers were sold to Data Domain Computers, probably only a few were taken from stock. Why would anyone have paid attention to the ascending order of the numbers?

The optional cassette interface is also available in its original form.

A look at Mike Willegal's Apple-1 Registry shows that this computer is something special. In this list, the Copson is #31, an arbitrary numbering. ```

Apple-1 computers were normally delivered without a case, which was not unusual. Buyers could decide for themselves whether they wanted to find or build a case. Later, there was a manufacturer of wooden cases, which were sold to only a few customers.

Even later, The Byte Shop also began offering wooden cases. Most of the first 50 Apple-1 computers, the group to which Copson’s computer belongs, did not have a case. The case of the Copson Apple-1 is truly unique. It looks like a clamshell and dates from 1976. It includes an original Datanetics ASCII keyboard from June 2nd of that year. It is clearly the product of careful hobby work and is full of period charm. The mainboard and power supply fit into the case together with the Datanetics keyboard.

In 2015, Corey Cohen completely cleaned and tested the keyboard.

A monitor and a cassette recorder were part of the eBay auction.

In 2015, an Apple-1 appeared on eBay, and I came across the auction by chance. A real Apple-1? At first, it was hard to believe. For many collectors, finding such a historic unit in very good condition is like finding the Holy Grail!

Part of the auction proceeds was donated to an organization supporting people affected by ALS, a disease that affected one of Bob Luther’s employees.

The decision to bid:

• The auction supported a good cause.
• The Apple-1 has a special status and is historically important.
• It is the dream of many collectors: to hold such a board in their hands and reflect on the history of computers.
• The computer could be loaned to a museum so that many technology enthusiasts and Apple fans would have the chance to see it. In November 2017, this idea became reality.

The Apple-1 was picked up by me directly from Bob Luther in Alexandria, Virginia. Bob took me to the airport to clarify a few details. I had already asked the airline and airport security whether there would be any objection to carrying the computer and monitor on board.

Security at Dulles Airport came as no surprise. Everything was handled very kindly and professionally.

Months before the handover, contact had already been made with the customs authorities. I spoke to a very helpful lady from Berlin who was often entrusted with rare collectors' items.

According to her, the customs authorities had issued a document on behalf of the European Union on July 3rd, 2015.

Quote: The commodity [sic] is to be classified as a "collector's item of historical/technological value".
(Reason for sic: The Copson Apple-1 is called this by them and is subsequently referred to by this name in the document)

After landing in Frankfurt, no customs officer was present at the gate. Customs could only be contacted by telephone. A customs officer came to meet me and casually asked whether the way had been worthwhile and whether the object to be imported was worth more than €1,000.

The import sales tax had to be paid in cash. The customs officers were helpful and understanding. It was clear that the device should not be left at the customs office, only to return to Frankfurt later. It took a while, and some paperwork had to be completed. After a few hours on site, the Apple-1 could be taken home.

A bank transfer was also possible, but the computer then had to be sealed in a transport case. It would have been strange if someone had voluntarily declared an object for customs clearance and then refused to pay. This seal was only allowed to be removed after written confirmation from customs that the money had been received.

The computer was correctly imported and the import sales tax was paid.

In the Cologne area, the last available locker in the appropriate size was secured.

On November 8th, 2017, the Copson Apple-1 was freed from its dark prison in a Cologne bank and, on November 13th, it made its last trip to the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

There are no plans for how long the computer will stay in the museum, but it should be a few years.

Some press articles can be found in the links section.

Shortly after the purchase, the idea arose to loan the Apple-1 to a museum for exhibition. At first, like so many other devices, the Apple-1 disappeared into a bank safe.

I felt that many computer enthusiasts, not only fans of the Apple brand, would like to see an original Apple-1. In Germany, this had previously only been possible in one museum: the Nixdorf museum (with a very friendly curator, by the way). There are many good replicas today, but, as with all historical objects, standing in front of a replica is not the same. Authenticity simply inspires.

Not only for collectors, but also for many people with a technical interest, the Apple-1 is considered the Holy Grail of microcomputers.

In 2015, I wrote to the Deutsches Museum in Munich and offered the Apple-1 as a loan for exhibition free of charge.

The Deutsches Museum was my first choice, although there was interest from many other museums, mainly in the USA. The Deutsches Museum Munich is the world's largest museum of science and technology. As a teenager, I often stayed for a few weeks with my grandmother in the beautiful city of Munich and visited the Deutsches Museum again and again. The museum is a paradise for all technology enthusiasts. This youthful enthusiasm for the museum, together with its high number of visitors, was ultimately decisive.

I am pleased that a large number of visitors can now see a very beautiful computer with one of the most unusual cases from 1976.

It took almost two years until the Apple-1 was on display. From 2015 to 2017, curator Anja Teuner prepared everything for the handover. Many thanks for all her efforts!

The handover took place on November 14th, 2017, with the Zuse 4 in the background. This is exactly where Steve Jobs personally handed over a Macintosh to the museum in 1985.
Many reporters attended, together with Director General Wolfgang M. Heckl and curator Anja Teuner.

From December 2017 onwards, the Apple-1 has been on permanent display in the Microelectronics Department.

Why the Deutsches Museum in Munich? Several museums were interested in the Apple-1. The Deutsches Museum Munich is not only the largest technical museum, but it has impressed me since childhood. My grandmother owned a house at the English Garden in Munich, and from there I used to go to the museum and the nearby astronomical observatory. A little nostalgia and many childhood memories played a role.

Only very few Apple-1 computers have been on display in European museums so far.

Many questions regarding the loan of the Apple-1 to the museum revolve around money. Nothing has been paid, and nothing will be paid, for the loan. The delivery was also paid for by the lender. Museums are not meeting places for speculators. Anyone who wants to earn money with a computer should contact the auction houses. Museums accept donations of objects, but they are not recycling centres. The object must be of interest to the museum, and space must be available... Only rarely will an object be accepted as a loan, since the effort and expense for museums are considerable. There are many people who would like to see an original Apple-1. I definitely wanted it to be exhibited for this audience. If the intention had been to sell everything, the computer would have been auctioned. Enormous sums have already been offered.