Steve Jobs was always headed for icon status.
Over the past couple of years, that effect has truly started to set in with regard to the market for his autograph.
Meanwhile Jobs' partner (and the brains behind the technology) Steve Wozniak’s autograph can be had for as little as $25.
Unusually for a business figure, Jobs has somehow crossed over into cultural territory usually reserved for rock stars.
He had that strange, nebulous “x-factor” that makes certain names in history stand out.
Here are some of the reasons why:
Tech revolution
The rate of change since the late 2000s has been dizzying. In fact, we’re right in the midst of it. We’re unable to fully appreciate the effect it’s having, but you only have to take a look at the news to see the ways the world is being altered.
We’re in uncharted territory.
Steve Jobs is one of few business figures to become an icon (Image: Flickr)
This social change is driven by the tech industry. Which is, to paraphrase Homer Simpson, the cause of (and solution to) all of our current problems.
Jobs is in many respects the industry’s patron saint. A ruthless and complex visionary who altered the world in his image.
Back in the 1980s, engineers referred to Jobs’ charisma as the “Reality Distortion Field”. His unshakeable drive led Apple to achieve things that would have been impossible for any other company.
One of Apple’s greatest innovations was the iPhone. While it wasn’t the first touch screen smartphone (that honour goes to the 2007 LG Prada) it was the first to be widely adopted.
Chances are you’re reading this blog on a smartphone. It’s pretty remarkable to think that it’s only 10 years old isn’t it?
Rarity
It’s no secret that Jobs really hated signing autographs.
By signing, he felt he was taking credit for Apple’s success. Those few people who managed to get an autograph from him really had to hustle for it.
Demand has grown due to Jobs’ influence on the modern world.
And the severe shortage of autographs has driven values skywards. Earlier this month a job application Jobs filled out in 1973 realised $174,757, setting a new record for his memorabilia at auction.
This 1973 job application set a new record for Jobs memorabilia this year (Image: RR Auction)
That result followed on from the $50,500 achieved by a signed copy of Newsweek in October last year.
Records stacking up in a short space of time is a strong indicator of future growth.
Investment
The factors I’ve just explained make Jobs the perfect choice for investors.
Rapidly growing demand, fabulous rarity and – crucially – staying power.
Steve Jobs unveils the iPhone 4 (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Over the next 100 years, the impact of the tech industry will be pored over. The ways in which figures like Steve Jobs altered the world in ways both positive and negative.
Specimens of the legendary Apple-1, the company’s first ever computer, are already selling for almost $1m.
His leather jacket made $22,400 in 2016, while his Seiko watch sold for $42,500 then same year.
And, when the new PFC40 Autograph Index comes out later this year, look for Jobs to jump to the top of the list.
The future looks extremely bright for this market.
Paul Fraser, founder of Paul Fraser Collectibles
Do you have a Steve Jobs autograph to sell? Email me at info@paulfrasercollectibles.com
