Paris Match, a French magazine known for its iconic photojournalism, is celebrating its 75th anniversary by auctioning off a collection of archival photos as NFTs. The auction, which begins today, will feature 75 Ethereum NFTs of historic images from the Paris Match archives, with starting bids at 0.3 ETH each. Each digital file will also come with a numbered and signed physical print of the same image. Some of the notable photos up for auction include snapshots of The Rolling Stones, Jack Nicholson, Orson Welles, and John Travolta, as well as reports on events such as the Berlin Wall, Harlem, and the Tour de France.
Paris Match has partnered with photo NFT platform Focus Bloc and the NFT marketplace SuperRare for this auction, marking the magazine’s second venture into the NFT space after a successful sale in January 2023. Emmanuel Daien, the founder of Focus Bloc, worked closely with Paris Match during their debut NFT sale last year and noted a diverse mix of traditional photo collectors and crypto enthusiasts seeking to own a piece of the magazine’s history. This time around, Paris Match has chosen an auction format, as well as introducing a physical element with prints accompanying the digital files, appealing to traditional photo collectors.
Owners of Paris Match NFTs will receive full digital license rights to the photos they possess, while Paris Match will retain all other rights associated with the images. With the rise of NFTs in the art world, this auction serves as a unique opportunity for collectors to own a piece of Paris Match’s rich visual history in both digital and physical form. This innovative approach to showcasing archival photos through NFTs demonstrates the magazine’s commitment to embracing new technologies and engaging with a broader audience through digital art.
The selection of iconic photos from Paris Match’s archives captures moments in history and pop culture that have left a lasting impact on society. From memorable images of famous celebrities like John Travolta and Jack Nicholson to compelling news reports on historical events like the Berlin Wall, these photos offer a glimpse into the past through the lens of talented Paris Match photographers. By digitizing these images as NFTs, the magazine is not only preserving its legacy but also making it accessible to a new generation of art collectors and enthusiasts.
The collaboration between Paris Match, Focus Bloc, and SuperRare signals a convergence of traditional photography and blockchain technology, highlighting the magazine’s forward-thinking approach to the modern art market. With NFTs gaining momentum as a popular digital asset class, Paris Match’s decision to enter this space reflects a willingness to adapt to changing trends and reach a global audience of art collectors. By offering both digital and physical components in the NFT auction, Paris Match is catering to a diverse range of collectors who appreciate the value of owning a piece of history in multiple formats.
As the auction unfolds, bidders will have the opportunity to acquire unique NFTs of iconic Paris Match photos while supporting the magazine’s legacy in visual storytelling. The combination of archival images, cutting-edge technology, and traditional art forms in this auction underscores the timeless appeal and cultural significance of Paris Match’s photography. With NFTs paving the way for new ways to experience and collect art, Paris Match’s venture into the digital art space marks an exciting chapter in the magazine’s history, bridging the past and the future through the power of photography.
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