Original Mars Attacks Painting for #2 “Martians Approaching” Nets $48,000
A piece of Mars Attacks history fetched a massive price tag in Robert Edwards Auctions’ Fall 2018 sale. The original painting for card #2 in the 1962 set, “Martians Approaching,” sold for $48,000.
It might not be on quite the same level as “Prize Captive” or “Destroying a Dog,” but this one is up there as far as famous Mars Attacks cards. Multiple Martians, spaceships, planets, there’s lots going on. It also has a little more than what’s seen on the final cropped card.
There’s also the fact that it’s a Norman Saunders masterpiece. He painted the entire set.
According to the auction’s description, this is the first time that this piece of artwork has been offered for sale publicly. It had been part of a private collection prior to this.
The “Martians Approaching” painting measures 5.25 x 3.5 inches.
The $48,000 sale does include the buyer’s premium.
The REA Fall 2018 auction had a few other pieces of original card art as well, including the paintings used for 1962 Topps Civil War News #24 “After the Battle” ($5,400) and #19 “Pushed to His Doom” ($4,800).
Also sold were a pair of paintings used for 1957 Topps Space Cards, #28 “Sunset on the Earth” and #51 “Eclipse of the Earth.” Each of these went for $1,920.
REA has sold several other Mars Attacks paintings including a revised version of #36 “Destroying a Dog” in 2017. This is one of the most iconic cards in the set. That one, which Saunders reworked at Topps’ request, sold for $22,800.
