Gallery: Vintage computers on the auction block

Michael Bennett-Levy's private collection of early technology was auctioned at Bonhams in London this week. See what they sold for.

By Andy Smith, Contributor Oct. 5, 2009 at 12:34 a.m. PT

1 of 7 Andy Smith/ZDNET

The Lyons Electronic Office - LEOII/3 electronic programmable storage computer which was first demonstrated in 1958 - is part of Michael Bennett-Levy's private collection of early technology that was auctioned at Bonhams in London this week. Silicon.com's Tim Ferguson gives all the details.

Just 13 of the Leo II devices were built and it was one of the first commercially sold computers, used by the Ford Motor Company among others. It was expected to fetch at least £2,000 ($3,200).

SOLD for £8,400 ($13,400).

Photo credit: Bonhams

2 of 7 Andy Smith/ZDNET

Sinclair computers were leaders in personal computing in the 1970s and 1980s and this ZX81 is from 1981. The lot also includes a ZX Spectrum 48K extension. This was not sold.

Photo credit: Bonhams

3 of 7 Andy Smith/ZDNET

Another classic in the collection is this BBC Micro computer which comes complete with user manual, the game 'Tank Attack' and the Prinztronic tournament mini TV game, otherwise known as 'Pong' (with original box). The lot also includes an FO3 Acorn cassette data recorder. It was not sold.

Photo credit: Bonhams

4 of 7 Andy Smith/ZDNET

There are also these Osborne (left) and Commodore computers. The Osborne was pitched as one of the first portable computers while the Commodore 64, introduced in 1982, was a huge commercial success, selling millions of units. It's estimated the pair will sell for between £400 and £800. This was not sold.

Photo credit: Bonhams

5 of 7 Andy Smith/ZDNET

A range of early calculators are also part of the collection. These 56Hz bandwidth red LED calculators from the 1970s are expected to fetch £200-£300. This was not sold.

Photo credit: Bonhams

6 of 7 Andy Smith/ZDNET

This is the GEC V500H, first produced in 1983. It's a video laser disc player and includes film classics such as Star Wars, Easy Rider and Goldfinger.

SOLD for £48 ($77) which proves laser discs still don't sell.

Photo credit: Bonhams

7 of 7 Andy Smith/ZDNET

This is a Zarach sphere television from 1975. It was sold by the exclusive designer shop Zarach in London's Sloane Square and is expected to sell for at least £1,500 ($2,394) in the auction.

In the Bonhams catalogue Michael Bennett-Levy says of the television: "Acquiring this set for the collection was a 'must' but in order to prise it out of the seller I was forced to buy his entire collection of another 14 televisions too!"

SOLD for £3,960 ($6,320).

Photo credit: Bonhams

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