Re: Apple 1 replica on eBay

["Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com>]

Vince Briel wrote:
> > I wonder if he knows it's a replica.
>
>
> Probably. When I first looked at the auction I glanced over it and for about 
> 5 seconds I thought it was a real Apple 1. He rarely calls it a replica or 
> clone and mostly calls in an apple 1. This does open the possibility that it 
> could be sold off somewhere else as a real apple 1. Most people have never 
> seen one in person and don't know what to look for. This is why I never went 
> with a look-a-like clone.
>
> I think it is great work and I'm sure many people out there including myself 
> would like to know where the 25xx series chips were found. In all honesty, 
> it should get at least 1/2 of the current value of a real apple 1. I wonder 
> how many more there are to sell?

Since there are potentially *very* many, I can't see how you could
argue for half the value of a real Apple I.  Unless you mean that
the 25xx chips alone are worth that, which I doubt.

The value of a collectible is a complex function of the unit's
desirability and its scarcity.

Desirability is most often a strong function of its physical
authenticity, which, clearly, no replica possesses.

As we've just seen, a few hundred dollars and a few hours of
construction will produce a replica, so, taking a cue from the
kit business, it's constructed value should not be much more
than twice the kit cost.

Interesting...$666 still makes sense!  ;-)

-michael

Music synthesis for 8-bit Apple II's!
Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/

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