The Chambers Project Presents: Ralph Steadman's "The Audience"

NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in history, a piece of original artwork from Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas will be offered at auction. This rare opportunity to own an iconic piece of 20th century counter-culture will occur at the Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts auction at Christie's New York on December 5th, 2017. Never has a piece of artwork from perhaps the most famous collaboration between writer and illustrator been offered at auction.

Ralph Steadman's pen and ink drawing, "The Audience" (1971), was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone, issue 96, where the second installment of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas appeared.

"As a lifelong collector of Ralph's work, I am thrilled to offer such a coveted, timeless masterpiece for auction," says Brian Chambers, the owner of the piece. "It is extremely rare to find a single piece of art with as much cultural and historical significance."

This illustration was published with a caption that reads, "The sight of a 344-pound police chief from Waco, Texas, necking openly with his 290-pound wife when the lights were turned off for a Dope Film was just barely tolerable." Emblematic of Steadman's signature style, the piece — depicting an addict, a police officer, and his wife — is as grotesque as it is powerful."

"As we approach the 50 year anniversary of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," 'The Audience' is one of the most recognizable pieces of art from this time period, certainly of the 1970s," Chambers says.

The lot comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Steadman and a signed certificate from former Rolling Stone editor Jann Wenner (the only previous owner of the piece) stating the drawing was reproduced on the cover of the magazine. A copy of Rolling Stone, issue 96 is included as well.

Media Contact: 
Brian Chambers 
(530) 470-3297
[email protected]

SOURCE Ralph Steadman