Simpsons cartoon painting sells for $14.8 Million.
Weiss
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It's no April Fools: An April 1 auction at Sotheby's in Hong Kong saw art by American graffiti artist KAWS break the own artist's auction figures and smash estimates with one piece, the KAWS ALBUM, going for 116 million Hong Kong dollars ($14.8 million). That was 15 times the estimate and smashed KAWS's own record sale of $2.7 million from last November, according to Artnet News.
https://news.artnet.com/market/kaws-auction-record-sothebys-1505122
I'm a fan of post modern art, including some graffiti artists like Banksy. But in my opinion, KAWS is a bit of a one trick pony, whose claim to fame is pretty much painting "X"s over the eyes of extant advertising images.
Perhaps TDN can chime in about the value of the Neil Carter 1794 Special Proof as of today. Last I checked, this one-of-a-kind national treasure, which I believe is still the most expensive coin to sell at auction, ever(?) and is arguably the most important coin in American numismatics, sold for literally millions of dollars less than this 2005 painting.
Which would you rather have?
KAWS, THE KAWS ALBUM, 2005
Or the Neil-Carter Special Proof SP66 1794 Dollar
--Severian the Lame
Comments
Keep the painting and i'd take the coin everyday of the week.
Ranks as a major "Duh"
idk that coin looks pretty beat up
The world of contemporary art is a strange one populated by even stranger critics and very wealthy buyers. There is nothing new about this situation.
I think you mean D’oh!
i would rather have the money.
My old college buddy would've liked that one for his dorm room.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I dunno, although I do like the painting !!!
Funny, I was at Sotheby's Hong Kong last week, I noticed the painting on the wall, and I walked right by it.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Creepy... why do all the eyes have an X?
I am slightly dumbfounded with this one. Looks like a print/illustration vs a painting. Crazy money for a warhol inspired pop art piece.
This "painting" should be forgotten in short order. But the sting of flushing 15 million dollars down the toilet will sting a family for generations.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
I’m guessing the money for this one painting doesn’t really matter or make that much difference to the family. It’s like Bezos buying it.
Of course, if they are chasing multiple KAWS works and don’t have enough for them all, it could become significant, similar to single coins and sets of coins.
I need to look at more of KAWS work to see if he will be a flash in the pan or not. The nice thing is that this was commissioned in 2005 and survived the 2008 economic meltdown down when many other artists did not. Also, this is based on the very popular Simpsons Yellow album parody which gives it more popularity.
Art is far more popular then coins. That is it period.
The rare coin market has too much neg press like little old ladies getting ripped off by telemarketers, gradeflation, and the fact you have to put a rare coin in a safety deposit box and can''t display it.
When we bough the 1794 we felt the market was ready for a $10 million dollar coin. And we had to fend off all competitors. While this coin enjoys steady press, breaking the $10 million barrier has not helped the coin market much.
Also, the Simpsons is the longest running show ever and has million of fans. Can't say any coin-especially a 1794 $1 is beloved that much
Well I know (or at least I hope) Simpsons coins are not the answer to getting better press and more love for our hobby!
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
I'm with Keets. I could buy a LOT of coins that I would rather have than either one.
While I can appreciate that point of view, the truth is that when you're running out of space in your SDB, you have to start buying more expensive coins.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
@specialist
I would much rather read about the "other" Simpson. (The one with all the lovely patterns)
This painting is garbage.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
If it speaks to you, you can get a poster of the Simpsons Yellow Album on ebay for $15.
And other parody options:
I've seen more attractive 'art' on the door of the fridge held up with magnets.
Your hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need it.
It would be fun to see that one go through the hidden shredder after the hammer falls.
Adjustment marks.
If I take the coin, do I also get the leftover $4.8 million?
Well.... Speaking for myself, I would not purchase such a painting...not because of the price (though that certainly would be a factor)... I just do not consider that art....I am not a fan of such shows and would not watch the programs. I recognize such things are personal tastes... and as such, not mine. I do like the coin...
Cheers, RickO