Mario's First Appearance Almost Lost Forever: How a Dumpster…

This sale highlights the hidden value of gaming history and reminds collectors that even seemingly mundane promotional materials can become priceless artifacts.

This sale highlights the hidden value of gaming history and reminds collectors that even seemingly mundane promotional materials can become priceless artifacts.

Key points - The original Donkey Kong sales flyer artwork sold for nearly $330,000, more than double its estimate. - The artwork, by Leslie Carbaga, features the first appearance of Mario and Donkey Kong. - Former Nintendo advertising director Donna Darbous saved it from a dumpster and stored it for decades. - The auction also included a Mario Santa image, Disney-themed Game & Watch art, and a Mike Tyson-signed Punch-Out glove. - The entire auction can be viewed online at Landry Pop Auctions.

Timeline - 45 years ago: The Donkey Kong sales flyer artwork was created by Leslie Carbaga to sell game cabinets to arcade operators. - During a storage room cleanup: The artwork was slated for the dumpster but saved by Donna Darbous, who took it home. - Recently: Darbous rediscovered the artwork and put it up for auction. - Today: The artwork sold for nearly $330,000 at Landry Pop Auctions.

FAQ

Q: Who saved the Donkey Kong artwork from being destroyed? A: Donna Darbous, former Nintendo advertising director, recognized its value when a storage room was being cleaned out and took it home.

Q: What else was in the auction? A: The auction included a Mario Santa image, Disney-themed Game & Watch art, a Mike Tyson-signed Punch-Out glove, rare NES games, and internal documentation.

Q: Where can I see the auction results? A: You can view the entire set of auctions and final prices online at Landry Pop Auctions.