{"product_id":"bill-gates-signed-open-letter-hobbyists-cut-autograph-beckett","title":"Bill Gates Signed “An Open Letter to Hobbyists” Cut Autograph – Beckett BAS Authentic","description":"\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eProduct Description\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eOwn an authenticated signature from one of the defining figures in the history of personal computing with this \u003cstrong\u003eBill Gates signed cut autograph\u003c\/strong\u003e, professionally authenticated and encapsulated by \u003cstrong\u003eBeckett Authentication Services (BAS)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe signed piece features a reproduction of Gates’ famous \u003cstrong\u003e“An Open Letter to Hobbyists,” dated February 3, 1976\u003c\/strong\u003e, along with early \u003cstrong\u003e“Micro-Soft”\u003c\/strong\u003e branding and a large Bill Gates signature across the lower portion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eWritten during the formative years of the personal-computer industry, Gates’ \u003cem\u003eOpen Letter to Hobbyists\u003c\/em\u003e addressed the widespread copying of software—particularly Altair BASIC—and argued that software developers needed to be compensated for their work. The letter became an important artifact of early computing history and the emerging commercial software industry. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe autograph itself has been authenticated by \u003cstrong\u003eBeckett\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the encapsulation label identifying the piece as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCUT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBILL GATES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUTHENTIC AUTOGRAPH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertification #00018208887\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eRather than a conventional signed photograph or modern promotional piece, the presentation ties Gates’ autograph directly to one of the most recognizable documents from Microsoft’s earliest years, making it an especially compelling display piece for collectors of technology, business, entrepreneurship, historical autographs, and computing history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beckett’s certification authenticates the \u003cstrong\u003eBill Gates autograph\u003c\/strong\u003e and classifies the item as a cut autograph. The printed document itself is not being represented as the original February 3, 1976 letter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe encapsulated autograph shown is the exact item you will receive.\u003cbr\u003eNo stock photos. No surprises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSigner:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bill Gates\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e “An Open Letter to Hobbyists”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisplayed Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e February 3, 1976\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompany Referenced:\u003c\/strong\u003e Micro-Soft \/ Microsoft\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollectible Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut Autograph \/ Historical Autograph\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthentication:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthentication Result:\u003c\/strong\u003e Authentic Autograph\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeckett Certification #:\u003c\/strong\u003e 00018208887\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEncapsulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beckett holder\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategory:\u003c\/strong\u003e Historical \u0026amp; Entertainment Memorabilia \/ Technology Memorabilia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eGates’ \u003cem\u003eOpen Letter to Hobbyists\u003c\/em\u003e was written during Microsoft’s earliest period, when Gates and Paul Allen were developing and distributing BASIC for the Altair computer. In the letter, Gates challenged the practice of copying commercial software without payment and argued that developers needed financial incentive to continue producing professional software. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe letter circulated through the early computer-hobbyist community and was published in venues including the \u003cstrong\u003eHomebrew Computer Club newsletter\u003c\/strong\u003e and MITS’ \u003cem\u003eComputer Notes\u003c\/em\u003e. It has since become one of the best-known documents from the formative years of the personal-computer software industry. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThat historical connection gives this authenticated signature crossover appeal beyond traditional autograph collecting, particularly for collectors interested in \u003cstrong\u003eMicrosoft, Silicon Valley, computing history, entrepreneurship, and influential business figures\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe autograph remains professionally encapsulated in its Beckett holder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the exact condition of the signed piece, printed document, Beckett holder, label, and encapsulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eNormal light surface marks or storage wear may be present on the outer holder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eShipping\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eShips fast and securely from Arthur’s Cards \u0026amp; Collectibles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eFree shipping on orders of \u003cstrong\u003e$50 or more\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis authenticated collectible will be carefully packaged to help protect the Beckett holder during transit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e","brand":"Beckett Authentication Services","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49973926920341,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0738\/0805\/2373\/files\/BillGatesSignedAutographedCutAutoBASBGSAuth.jpg?v=1790114258","url":"https:\/\/arthurscardsandcollectibles.com\/products\/bill-gates-signed-open-letter-hobbyists-cut-autograph-beckett","provider":"Arthur's Cards and Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}