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Where the Apple sneakers were offered
Sotheby’s cataloged the pair as “Omega Sports Apple Computer Sneakers, size 9.5,” lot 802, in its TRIOMPHE sale in Paris. The auction ran September 15–29, 2023, and the lot record says it closed on September 29. The record is marked closed, not available to purchase. View Sotheby’s lot record.
Sotheby’s listed an estimate of €10,000–€12,000. Its sale catalog explains that published results include Sotheby’s premium but exclude applicable taxes and other costs; an estimate, asking price, hammer price, and buyer’s total are different figures. See the Sotheby’s TRIOMPHE catalog. The accessible lot page does not show a realized price without login, so the final amount paid, if any, cannot be confirmed from that record.
What the $50,000 figure means
The Guardian reported on July 25, 2023, that Sotheby’s was offering the sneakers for $50,000 (£38,969); MacRumors reported the same offer the following day. Those reports support describing $50,000 as the historical asking price. They do not establish that a buyer paid that amount or that the pair sold for it. The Guardian’s 2023 report and MacRumors’ 2023 report cover the offer.
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What is known—and uncertain—about the pair
Sotheby’s describes the sneakers as custom-made for Apple employees and as a one-time giveaway at a National Sales Conference in the mid-1990s. Its catalog describes a predominantly white upper with rainbow Apple logos on the tongue and lateral quarter, and lists rubber, cotton, and leather. These are Sotheby’s catalog claims; its accessible lot record does not establish a complete ownership history.
The origin story is not entirely settled in the available reporting. The Guardian says the shoes’ full history is unclear and reports that a pair was found at a Palo Alto garage sale in 2016 before being brought to Heritage Auctions. In a 2018 statement reported by The Guardian, Heritage Auctions director Leon Benrimon said, “We believe they were a pair of prototype sneakers made for Apple in the late 1980s or early 1990s,” and that the firm believed only two pairs had been made. That was Benrimon’s belief about the pair Heritage handled then; it does not independently authenticate the 2023 Sotheby’s pair or prove how many pairs survive.
Rank #2
- 1 Pair Miniature Sneakers Shoes 5cm 1:6 Scale Puppet Clothes. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Intended for adult artists, puppet makers, model makers, and professional craft use only.
- Size: 5cm longx3.5cm wide (1:6 scale); See the photos how it looks on 1:6 scale figure, 13" puppet, 6" puppet
- 1 Pair (left and right shoes)
- Material: Silicone rubber, PVC
Size, condition, and what a buyer should verify
The sizing descriptions do not match exactly: Sotheby’s calls the lot “size 9.5” without naming a sizing system, while The Guardian’s July 2023 report describes it as US men’s 10.5 (9.5 UK). Treat those as separate source descriptions rather than assuming Sotheby’s label is a US size.
The Guardian reported that the pair was described as “new” but showed age-related yellowing around the midsoles and glue, along with light marks on the toe boxes. It also noted an air-cushioned heel. MacRumors described white leather uppers, rainbow Apple logos, and an alternative pair of red laces. These condition and accessory details come from contemporaneous reporting; the accessible Sotheby’s record does not include a condition report.
Rank #3
- 1 Pair Miniature Sneakers Shoes 5cm 1:6 Scale Puppet Clothes. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Intended for adult artists, puppet makers, model makers, and professional craft use only.
- Size: 5cm longx3.5cm wide (1:6 scale); See the photos how it looks on 1:6 scale figure, 13" puppet, 6" puppet
- 1 Pair (left and right shoes)
- Material: Silicone rubber, PVC
If another example or a future offer appears, ask the auction house or seller for documentation and inspect the actual item before committing. In particular, confirm:
- Provenance and any authentication supporting the claimed Apple connection.
- The exact size marking and sizing system, plus measurements if fit matters.
- Current condition, including yellowing, glue deterioration, and marks, and whether accessories are included.
- Whether the quoted amount is an asking price, estimate, hammer price, or total with buyer’s premium, taxes, shipping, and other costs.
- That the listing is live and the seller can confirm the item is available.
Why the shoes are collectible
The appeal is the combination of Apple branding and a rare piece of company merchandise, rather than a standard retail sneaker release. Sotheby’s lot note says more than 22,000 Apple consumers purchased Apple clothing and accessories in 1985, but the catalog does not identify an original source for that figure. The Guardian separately reported that 22,000 Apple-branded shirts sold that year. Those are differently worded claims and should not be combined into a single independently verified statistic.
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Rank #4
- 1 Pair Miniature Sneakers Shoes 5cm 1:6 Scale Puppet Clothes. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Intended for adult artists, puppet makers, model makers, and professional craft use only.
- Size: 5cm longx3.5cm wide (1:6 scale); See the photos how it looks on 1:6 scale figure, 13" puppet, 6" puppet
- 1 Pair (left and right shoes)
- Material: Silicone rubber, PVC
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
