A piece of iconic Nintendo artwork, featuring the first appearance of Mario and Donkey Kong, has sold for almost $330,000 at auction. The artwork, a detailed cartoon illustration from a 45-year-old sales flyer, was originally intended for a dumpster but was saved by former Nintendo advertising director Donna Darbous. It has since become a significant piece of gaming history, appearing on numerous Donkey Kong-related merchandise over the decades.
The artwork, created by legendary illustrator Leslie Carbaga, was part of a larger collection of Nintendo memorabilia that went up for auction. The collection also included an image of Mario as Santa, Disney-themed artwork for early Game & Watch titles, a signed Punch-Out boxing glove, and rare NES games. The entire set of auctions can be viewed online at Landry Pop Auctions.