Well-used Birkenstock sandals by Steve Jobs fetch nearly $220,000 at auction

Steve Jobs' legacy lives on with more than Apple Inc.

Tech company founder who died of pancreatic cancer complications at age 56, was an avid wearer of Birkenstock shoes. Now a pair of brown suede Birkenstock Arizona sandals he wore in the 70s and 80s have sold for $218,750 - the highest price paid for a pair of sandals, according to Julien's Auctions, which facilitated the sale . The lot closed after 19 auctions and the shoes were sold with an accompanying NFT.

The auction house originally announced that its sale was expected to be between 60,000 and 80,000 $. New, sandals are selling for $125.

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Birkenstocks were sold in wearable condition, but they were well used. The description on Julien's Auctions website says it features the original Birkenstock adjustable buckles and stamping on the inside edge of the suede leather foot straps. The cork and jute insole retains the imprint of Steve Jobs' feet, shaped after years of use, and the rubber soles of the sandals show heavy wear.

The Birkenstock pair was previously owned by Steve Jobs manager Mark Sheff. Jobs is said to have worn the sandals at many historic moments for Apple, including when he worked with co-founder Steve Wozniak to develop the first Apple computer in a garage in Los Altos, California.

Steve Jobs and his wife, Laurene Powell Jobs, arrive at the White House in Washington, D.C., October 29, 1997, for the State Dinner in honor of Chinese President Jiang Zemin. Ron Sachs – CNP / MEGA

Margot Fraser, who brought the brand of anatomically designed shoes to the United States after acquiring the rights distributor in the 1960s and catapulted it to fame over the next 40 years, said that when Jobs discovered the comfort sandal, he wanted to know all about its origin and technical aspects. The company was founded in 1774 by Johann Adam Birkenstock.