Rare original color 37 x 16.75 NeXT Inc. launch poster for the upcoming release of the NeXT Computer, which depicts a NeXT Computer workstation with screen, keyboard, mouse, and laser printer, signed neatly in the lower border in thin black felt tip, "steve jobs." The lower border also features black caption text, "October 12, 1988, Computing Advances To The NeXT Level,” and NeXT's iconic logo designed by Paul Rand. Affixed to a same-size foamcore mount and in fine condition, with scattered light scuffing and some wear to edges. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services.
The ‘NeXT Introduction’ was held at the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, California, on October 12, 1988. More than 3000 invitations were sent out to educators, software developers, and media members, the majority of whom were excited to witness the comeback of the event’s speaker, Steve Jobs, who had all but shunned public appearances since leaving Apple three years prior. Upon taking the stage, Jobs informed the attendees that ‘it's great to be back.’ Jobs’ prized signature, the NeXT association, and the launch poster’s size and attractive imagery combine to make this a display piece of tremendous interest.
Having been ousted from Apple in the fall of 1985, Jobs founded the innovative NeXT project, a computer and software company aimed at the markets of business and higher education. The first NeXT Computer was introduced in 1988 with great fanfare thanks to Jobs's marketing strategy. At NeXT, Jobs helped to develop a pioneering 'fingerless' automated manufacturing line right in Silicon Valley. He believed that keeping the design, development, and manufacturing in close proximity—all in a single plant, rather than outsourced overseas—would help NeXT out-innovate its competitors by allowing continuous improvement of their products. Although their computers encountered subpar sales, the NeXTSTEP operating system and development environment proved highly influential, forming the basis for Mac OS X. Apple purchased NeXT in 1997 for $429 million and 1.5 million shares of Apple stock, with Jobs, as part of the agreement, returning to the company he had co-founded in 1976.
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