An original illustration of one of the earliest Asterix comic books sold for a record $1.7 million. The illustration was sold at an auction last week. The auction house announced that illustration was sold seven times more than the expected price. The Illustration was for a cover of the volume entitled “Asterix and the Banquet” (“Le Tour de Gaul” in French).
The illustration was not just any original illustration art. It was also signed by the creators of the popular comic book series, Albert Uderzo and Rene Goscinny. The piece was sold by the Drouot auction house in Paris. According to Drouot, the illustration was expected to fetch a price of $200,000 to $250,000. Later that same auction another cover illustration for the volume entitled “Asterix and the Chieftain’s Shield” which sold for $1.41 million. The price of the signed illustration is said to have ballooned because the original Illustrator for the series, Albert Uderzo, passed away in 2009.
The French comic book series of Asterix was first published in 1959. The series focuses on Gallic hero Asterix and his large sidekick Obelix as they travel around France battling the mighty Roman Empire and dealing with the eccentric people of their small Gaul village. The success of the comic book series has made it the most popular French-Belgian comic books. The series has been translated into more than 100 languages all over the world. It has also been adapted into 13 films, including nine animated flicks and four live action movies. The series has over 36 volumes, with the long awaited 37th volume to be published later this month.