There’s an old adage about being able to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. Many people probably thought that, especially if these shoes were used by Apple Inc. AAPL co-founder Steve Jobs. The winner of an auction could make it a reality.
What happened: A pair of old Birkenstocks sandals worn by Steve Jobs are up for auction beginning Friday, November 11 at 10 a.m. ET through November 13.
The auction of Julien Auctions will see a winning bidder get the physical sandals as well as a non-fungible token of the sandals, struck on the Polygon MATIC/USD blockchain.
The sandals were worn by Jobs in the 1970s and 1980s and were pulled from a trash heap by a former manager of one of Jobs’ properties.
“Steve was looking for home help. We had an experience of organic gardening and cooking natural foods,” the chef said. Mark Shef said in an interview, as reported by Yahoo in 2016.
The auction says the sandals are “well used, but still appear to be intact.” The sandals feature their original adjustable buckles and Birkenstock stamping. An imprint of Steve Jobs’ feet can also be seen in the sandals.
Birkenstock traces its origins back to 1774 when the company was founded by Johann Adam Birkenstock in Germany. The company is now owned by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE LVMUY.
Auction estimates indicated that the sandals could sell for between $60,000 and $80,000. The starting auction price is $15,000.
In 2016, the same pair of sandals sold to an anonymous bidder for $3,400.
The sandals are part of an auction called “Icons and Idols: Rock N Roll” which features items from musicians such as Don McLean, Steve Vai, Kanye West, George Michael, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Taylor Swift, Olivia Newton-John and more.
Related Link: How to Own a Piece of an Original 1976 Apple I Computer
Why it matters: The sandals in question have been promoted over the years and featured in several exhibits. The sandals were displayed at Birkenstock’s Germany headquarters in 2017 and at the first US Birkenstock store in SoHo.
During one of the exhibitions, the ex-partner of Jobs Chrisann Brennan was able to see the sandals and hold them. Brennan said the sandals were iconic in Jobs’ life.
“The sandals were part of her simple side. It was his uniform. The good thing about a uniform is you don’t have to worry about what to wear in the morning,” Brennan said.
Brennan talked about the comfort level of the sandals and how he didn’t feel like a businessman wearing them.
The auction listing page says the sandals have been worn at many important times in Apple’s history, including when Jobs was in a Los Altos garage to discuss Apple’s early days with the co-founder. Steve Woznyak.
Ever since Jobs died in 2011, fans of the entrepreneur and Apple have sought out memorabilia related to Jobs and the company.
Alternative investment platform Rally offered investments in items like a jacket worn by Jobs when he flipped the IBM logo and a signed 1986 Macintosh Plus computer.
Learn more about why Rally bought Apple assets and brought them to its platform here.
Read more: What would Forrest Gump’s theoretical stake in Apple be worth today?
Photo: Julien Enchères
