It’s been a memorable yr for Apple memorabilia. A number of auctions have seen new sealed-in-box variations of the unique 2007 iPhone up for grabs, with one fetching a record-breaking $190,000.
Whereas it was one of many exceptionally uncommon 4GB 2007 iPhones that commanded such a excessive worth at public sale, that hasn’t stopped 8GB variations from going for five-figure quantities upwards of $40,000.
Nevertheless, now the set of mint Apple merchandise in LCG Auctions’ new 2023 Fall Premiere Public sale is elevating the stakes, not solely providing up one other sealed unique 2007 4GB iPhone but additionally one which’s by no means been taken out of its unique FedEx delivery field.
This latter is an 8GB mannequin, with a present bid of $10,000 as of this writing, however LCG estimates it might go as excessive as $50,000. Nevertheless, to place that in perspective, LCG additionally estimated solely $100,000 for the $190,000 4GB iPhone.
The field consists of the FedEx label with the recipient deal with redacted, displaying solely “Glendale” (presumably the one in California) and a ship date of July 11, 2007 — lower than two weeks after the unique iPhone went on sale on June 29. Nevertheless, the packing checklist additionally exhibits a ship date of June 29, 2007, which can signify the date the order was positioned, and that it comprises one “MA721LL/A” — the U.S. half quantity for the unique 2007 iPhone in an 8GB capability.
After all, whereas that every one sounds legit, you’re in all probability questioning how LCG plans to ensure that what’s inside this plain brown field is absolutely an iPhone. The public sale home notes that the iPhone “arrived to us sealed within the unique FedEx delivery field” that’s “by no means been opened” and that “the cellphone stays preserved inside.
Nevertheless, LCG notes that it’s been given permission to take away the cellphone from the field and can add photograph and presumably video footage of that course of “within the coming days.”
Our consignor has instructed us to rigorously open the field. We are going to open the bundle and take away the cellphone for the very first time. The iPhone is presumed to be manufacturing unit sealed and in pristine situation. Pictures and/or video footage will likely be added within the coming days.
LCG Auctions
Whereas the delivery label additionally consists of FedEx monitoring numbers and an Apple internet order quantity, each have lengthy since expired from Apple’s and FedEx’s methods.
Whereas the “brown field” iPhone is essentially the most distinctive Apple product on this season’s LCG public sale, it’s joined by the aforementioned 4GB iPhone that’s already receiving bids in extra of $24,000, plus an unique factory-sealed 8GB iPhone and a 16GB first-generation iPhone in its unique delivery field that was bought by some well-off mother and father who usually purchased “a number of electronics for her and her siblings” however didn’t at all times give them out.
In line with our consignor, her mother and father would typically purchase a number of electronics for her and her siblings. Not all the pieces with given out, and a few objects remained unopened and in storage for many years. This was certainly one of them, together with the manufacturing unit sealed Sega Recreation Gear (additionally one which her mother and father by no means gave out).
LCG Auctions
The 16GB model was doubtless the second-rarest mannequin of the unique iPhone. The rarest was the 4GB mannequin that was solely in the marketplace for 68 days earlier than Apple discontinued it in early September. Nevertheless, in contrast to the 8GB iPhone, which was obtainable for almost a yr till Apple changed it with the iPhone 3G on June 15, 2008, the 16GB mannequin was launched in February 2008 and discontinued alongside its 8GB sibling. That meant it was bought for about 4 months.
Nevertheless, by the point these first-ever 16GB iPhone fashions have been launched, Apple had begun promoting the iPhone exterior of the US. The UK, Germany, and France bought the unique iPhone in November 2007, and Austria and Eire joined in March 2008. This implies Apple doubtless manufactured and bought fairly a couple of extra 16GB fashions than the US-only 4GB iPhone.
That is the primary time we’ve seen a sealed 16GB model of the unique iPhone up for public sale, so it will likely be fascinating to see how a lot it goes for. Nonetheless, LCG isn’t super-optimistic about this one, estimating it is going to fetch between $15,000 and $25,000. That’s loads, however it’s a far cry from the $100,000 estimate it made for the 4GB iPhone.