A former Nintendo employee is auctioning a wealth of classic items, including the original Donkey Kong art
Video Games Chronicle • • technology
Key Points:
- Donna Darbous, a former Nintendo advertising manager, is auctioning original arcade flyer artwork for Donkey Kong, which she rescued from a dumpster during a storage room clearance at Nintendo.
- The artwork includes two pieces: a background image on cardstock and an acetate sheet featuring Mario (then known as Jumpman), Donkey Kong, Pauline, and barrels, painted by artist Leslie Cabarga.
- The auction, hosted by Landry Pop, estimates the value of the Donkey Kong artwork between $100,000 and $150,000, with the current highest bid at $80,000.
- Darbous’s collection, titled "Jumpman: The Beginning of an Icon," includes 49 items such as original artwork for Mickey Mouse Game & Watch handhelds, Nintendo of America Christmas card art from 1985, Super Mario Bros production art, and vintage employee memorabilia.
- The auction will remain open until October 28, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire significant Nintendo memorabilia from the company’s early history.
