The iconic Twitter blue bird logo, which was removed from the company’s former San Francisco headquarters after Elon Musk rebranded the platform as X, has been sold at auction for nearly $35,000.
RR Auction, known for dealing in rare and collectible items, confirmed that the 560-pound (254 kg) sign, measuring 12 feet by 9 feet (3.7 meters by 2.7 meters), was purchased for $34,375, though the buyer was not disclosed.
Other notable tech-related items sold in the auction included an Apple-1 computer with accessories for $375,000, a 1976 Apple Computer Co. check signed by Steve Jobs for $112,054, and a first-generation, sealed 4GB iPhone for $87,514.
The auction highlights the growing interest in tech memorabilia, especially items associated with industry pioneers and major corporate transitions. Twitter’s rebranding to X under Musk’s leadership marked a significant shift in the company’s identity, making artifacts from its past more valuable to collectors.
Beyond the blue bird Twitter logo, the sale of Apple-related items further underscores the enduring legacy of Steve Jobs and the company’s early innovations. The Apple-1 computer, one of the few remaining from the 1970s, fetched a high price due to its historical significance. Similarly, the check signed by Jobs reflects a pivotal moment in Apple’s founding, while the sealed first-generation iPhone serves as a nostalgic piece from the dawn of the smartphone era.
As tech companies evolve and rebrand, demand for such historical items continues to grow, with collectors and investors seeking to own a piece of Silicon Valley history.
The sale of these items also reflects a broader trend of nostalgia-driven collecting, where tech enthusiasts and investors alike are willing to pay premium prices for artifacts that symbolize key moments in the digital revolution.
Elon Musk’s decision to auction off remnants of Twitter’s past, from office furniture to signage, aligns with his broader vision of reshaping the company into X, a platform he envisions as an “everything app.” While some see these auctions as a way to generate funds, others view them as a symbolic farewell to Twitter’s former identity and iconic logo.
Meanwhile, the high prices fetched by Apple memorabilia highlight the company’s deep cultural and historical impact. The Apple-1, one of the first computers built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, represents the foundation of modern computing. The signed check from 1976, issued just as Apple was getting off the ground, provides a tangible connection to the company’s earliest days.
The demand for first-generation tech products, such as the sealed 4GB iPhone, underscores the collector’s market for well-preserved gadgets from past decades. As the digital world continues to evolve, these physical relics serve as reminders of the rapid advancements that have shaped modern technology.
Given the success of this auction, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more tech-related memorabilia hitting the market in the future, as companies undergo rebranding, key figures step away from leadership roles, and iconic products reach milestone anniversaries.
