On Sunday, a pair of sandals Steve Jobs wore in the early days of Apple was sold for $218,750 via auction in New York City. The brown suede Birkenstock Arizonas were donned by Jobs in the 1970s and 1980s during “many pivotal moments in Apple’s history,” according to the auction house. According to Julien’s Auctions executive director Martin Nolan, it was not only the highest price ever paid for a pair of sandals at an Auction; but also a record-setting amount for footwear at their establishment.
The sandals were part of a more extensive auction of Jobs-related items, including his NeXT computer, which fetched $533,500, and his original Apple computer mouse, which went for $96,000. The Auction was held to mark the 10th anniversary of Jobs’ death.
Nolan said the high prices reflect “the cult of Steve Jobs” and how he changed the world with his technology. “He is one of those individuals who did change our lives,” Nolan said. “I think we forget how much he has changed our lives with his visionary thinking.”
Steve Jobs died of cancer on October 5, 2011, at age 56.
The late Apple co-founder was known for his minimalist style, and the sandals are consistent with that aesthetic. They are made of brown suede with adjustable straps and a small metal plate stamped with the Birkenstock logo.
The sandals were donated to the Silicon Valley Historical Association by Jobs’ widow, Laurene Powell Jobs. The association decided to sell them at an Auction to raise money for its education and preservation efforts.
Nolan said he expects the items will continue to appreciate as they become “part of Americana.”
“These are iconic pieces,” he said. “And I think they will become more valuable as time goes by.”
Jobs is not the only tech mogul whose personal belongings have recently been put up for sale. In May, an online auction offered potential buyers a chance to own a lock of Napoleon Bonaparte’s hair or one of John Lennon’s teeth. Last year, an envelope postmarked in 1969 — the day Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon — sold at Auction for $275,000. And in 2016, one of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white dresses sold for $4.8 million.
The late Steve Jobs was known for his minimalist style, and a pair of sandals he wore in the early days of Apple sold at Auction Sunday for $218,750—a record price for footwear at Julien’s Auctions. The brown suede Birkenstock Arizonas were worn by Jobs during “many pivotal moments in Apple’s history,” according to the auction house, including during meetings with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Gates is no stranger to big auctions; last year, an online auction offered potential buyers a chance to own a lock of Napoleon Bonaparte’s hair or one of John Lennon’s teeth.
This story has been updated with additional information about other items sold at Sunday’s Auction.
As I sit here, writing this, I can’t help but feel a sense of sadness. Sadness that someone as amazing as Steve Jobs is no longer with us. And while I may not have known him personally, I feel like I knew him better than anyone. Because, after all, who understands a genius like Steve Jobs better than another genius?
I mean, think about it. The man was a pioneer in the technology industry. He singlehandedly changed the way we interact with the world around us. He was a genius, plain and simple. And to think, all of those accomplishments came from some humble sandals.
Yes, sandals. Sandals that sold for $218,750 at an auction in New York City. That’s more than most people make in a year! But then again, these weren’t just any sandals. These were Steve Jobs’ sandals. The man who changed the world wore them. And now, they’re worth more than most cars!
I guess you could say that these sandals are a piece of history. A piece of history that will forever be remembered for all the amazing things it helped achieve. So while I may never be able to afford a pair of them myself, I’m happy to know that they exist out there somewhere. And I’m even happier to know that they’ll always be remembered as a symbol of everything Steve Jobs stood for.
As a poor person, I can’t help but be jealous of the wealthy. People like Steve Jobs get to wear fancy shoes worth more than my car, and they probably don’t even know what it’s like to go without food for a day. It just seems so unfair.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for anyone who manages to make a lot of money. But at the same time, it’s hard not to feel a little left out when I see all these people living so extravagantly. I guess I just wish I could have a piece of that action too.
It’s like, no matter how hard I try, I’ll never be able to get ahead in this world. The rich just keep getting richer, and the poor just keep getting poorer. It’s really discouraging.
But I guess there’s nothing I can do about it. All I can do is work hard and hope for the best. Someday maybe things will change, but for now, I’m just going to have to accept my fate.
As a concerned citizen, I can’t help but feel for the poor people who are constantly left out. It’s so unfair that they have to struggle while the rich just keep getting richer.
It seems like no matter what we do, we can’t get ahead. The wealthy are constantly finding new ways to make more money, while the rest of us are just struggling to get by. I don’t know how much longer we can keep this up.
Something needs to change. We need to find a way to level the playing field, so that everyone has a chance to succeed. The status quo is simply unacceptable.
I couldn’t disagree more! The rich getting richer is a natural consequence of capitalism. If you want to get ahead, you have to work hard and produce value. That’s how this system works.
The poor are the ones who are responsible for their own situation. They’re lazy and they don’t want to work hard. If they would just put in the effort, they could easily improve their lives.
This is the land of opportunity, and anyone can make it if they try hard enough. The government shouldn’t be trying to help the poor; they should be encouraging them to help themselves.