How the top 2% spend a tax cut:'Ancient' Apple 1 Sells For $213,000

[Toucano]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/11/23/131547844/-ancient-apple-1-sells-for-213-000

Somebody paid a little more than $200,000 today for a computer that's basically "a very fancy calculator," Gizmodo reporter Brian Barrett told NPR's Mary Louise Kelly earlier today.

Of course, it was also an original Apple 1. That's a now-rare 1976 model that at the time it was built, as the Associated Press says, "was the only personal computer to come with a fully assembled motherboard, making it ready to use straight from the box — provided the user supplied a keyboard, power supply, and display."

They're making jobs! In 1976, I guess.

[RKP5637]

1. Recomment!!! n/t

[Hissyspit]

2. There's only about 40 still existing last I heard.

[onehandle]

3. With a letter from 1976 signed by Steve Jobs.

History.

[emulatorloo]

5. Yeah I am amazed at the condition. Museum quality,

[emulatorloo]

4. The buyer is --> Italian

see story "Italian businessman and private collector Marco Boglione"

[Toucano]

6. That doesn't alter the original premise.

He's a businessman. He's not spending $213,000 to "create jobs".

He's spending it on something he wants.

That's what the rich do, no matter their nationality.

[emulatorloo]

7. Actually it does. A) He's Italian, B) maybe he bought the computer out of his paycheck

I get your point,

But this is the wrong example though. It has nothing to do with the US taxes.

Besides somebody at Christies had to sell it, there are people employed there.

Here's his bio - Italian "leisurewear" etc. Definitely looks like a computer lover! (HA HA I have that look too)

http://www.basicpress.com/cv/CV_marcoboglione_eng.asp

[Toucano]

12. His nationality is not relevant, but if you insist

Basic Properties America, Inc. is Basic SpA's U.S. division, complete with a U.S. Taxpayer ID number and incorporated in Richmond, VA.

You really have to recognize that MONEY knows no national boundaries.


As to the employment generated at Christie's, they receive a "sliding scale" commission which is substantially less that $213,000. I'm not sure how many salaries that commission could pay.

Of course if that amount were collected in taxes it could employ many more teachers, police officers, or firefighters.

The point of the example is how tax cuts for the rich do not generate jobs. They don't have to live in the U.S. to benefit from U.S. tax cuts for the rich.

[emulatorloo]

20. I still think you would be better off with the $25,000 chocolate sundae, covered in edible 23K gold

Plenty of U.S. restaurants serve up gold to those who like to wear their bling on the inside. A New York chef came up with a $1,000 bagel featuring white truffle cream cheese and goji berry-infused Riesling jelly with golden leaves. An L.A. candy maker sells treats called Holiday Nougat, made with flakes of 23-karat edible gold leaf.

Stephen Bruce, owner of New York ice cream parlor Serendipity3 famously came up with the $25,000 Frozen Haute Chocolate sundae, covered in 23K edible gold-infused whipped cream. (The shop had to close for a while after the health department found rodents in the kitchen. Presumably even Manhattan mice also have developed a gilded palate.).

http://news.kontentkonsult.com/2009/01/give-me-gold-flake-icecream-why-rich.html

[tridim]

8. Gotta say that's neat, but not $200k neat.

I'll never throw away my first Vic-20.

[onehandle]

9. Don't have my 20, but I still have my Amiga 1000. nt

[tridim]

13. I kept the Vic, the first C64, and an Amiga 500

I wanted an Amiga 1000 so bad, but I couldn't afford one. I got the 500 a few years later for about half the price.

[Toucano]

15. I'll never forget the day I got that VIC-20.

I gave mine away to my cousin.

I doubt he still has it.

[tridim]

19. My dad bought ours a few weeks before Xmas..

He spent the time learning BASIC and wrote a "Merry Christmas" blinky-color-beeping program for us on xmas morning. Blew my little mind. :)

[Name removed]

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[Mimosa]

11. I don't believe you are serious.

Noody in his or her right mind or who knows anything at all about economics would sincerely propose such a crazy idea.

[IDHow]

21. But the Eisenhower tax rate was not so crazy, you agree? nt

[Name removed]

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[Cleita]

14. I wonder how many jobs that created with

trickle down economics?

[Stevenmarc]

17. Well it was a tad easier to use than the Altair 8800

[DavidDvorkin]

18. I think we have one of those in our refrigerator vegetable drawer.