TL;DR
A collection of Steve Jobs’s early Apple-related objects, alongside his personal bow ties, is being offered for auction by his stepbrother, John Chovanec. Some of the pieces reportedly came from Jobs’s childhood bedroom in the house where the first Apple machines were assembled.
What happened
John Chovanec, who became Steve Jobs’s stepbrother after Chovanec’s mother married Jobs’s father Paul in 1990, is making a group of personal items available for auction. The lot includes early Apple-era objects and several of Jobs’s bow ties; some items are said to have been stored in Jobs’s childhood bedroom in the family home that contains the garage where the first Apple computers were built. Chovanec, who described a cordial but not close relationship with Jobs, recalled a visit in which Jobs powered up an early Macintosh and recounted its development. The report on the sale was published by Steven Levy on January 6, 2026. Beyond those details, specifics about the auction—such as timing, venue, and the complete inventory—are not provided in the source.
Why it matters
- Objects tied to Apple’s origin story can offer material context for the company’s early history.
- Provenance linked to Jobs’s family home and childhood bedroom strengthens historical interest in the items.
- The sale highlights how personal artifacts of prominent tech figures enter the public market and attract collector attention.
Key facts
- The items include early Apple-era pieces and Steve Jobs’s bow ties.
- Some objects reportedly came from Jobs’s childhood bedroom in the family house with the garage where the first Apple computers were assembled.
- The items are being made available for auction by John Chovanec, Jobs’s stepbrother.
- Chovanec’s mother married Paul Jobs (Steve Jobs’s father) in 1990.
- At the time of the 1990 meeting described, Jobs was serving as CEO of Pixar and NeXT.
- Chovanec said he and Jobs were not close but had amiable interactions, including a visit where Jobs demonstrated an early Macintosh and discussed its development.
- The account and auction details were reported by Steven Levy in a January 6, 2026 article.
What to watch next
- Exact auction date and venue: not confirmed in the source.
- Complete inventory and item descriptions beyond bow ties and 'early Apple items': not confirmed in the source.
- Provenance documentation and condition reports for items claimed to come from Jobs’s childhood bedroom: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Provenance: The documented history of ownership and origin of an object, used to verify authenticity and context.
- Macintosh: A family of personal computers designed and sold by Apple; in this context, an early Macintosh was demonstrated by Jobs for a visitor.
- Auction: A public sale in which goods are sold to the highest bidder, often used for collectibles and historical artifacts.
- Stepbrother: A sibling related by the marriage of one’s parent to another person, rather than by blood.
Reader FAQ
Who is offering Steve Jobs’s items for auction?
John Chovanec, identified in the report as Jobs’s stepbrother.
Are the items definitely from Jobs’s childhood bedroom?
The source says some objects came from his childhood bedroom; further verification is not provided.
When and where will the auction take place?
Not confirmed in the source.
Which auction house is handling the sale and what are the expected prices?
Not confirmed in the source.
STEVEN LEVY BUSINESS JAN 6, 2026 9:00 AM Steve Jobs’ Early Apple Items Are Going Up for Auction—Along With His Bow Ties Some of the objects came from Steve Jobs’…
Sources
- Steve Jobs’ Early Apple Items Are Going Up for Auction—Along With His Bow Ties
- Steve Jobs' Bow Tie From Macintosh Debut Auctions …
- Steve Jobs' bow tie sells for $35750 at auction
- Steve Jobs' bow tie sells for P2M
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