CBGB’s sticker-encrusted urinal is already museum-worthy, and on Monday more detritus from the era of the Ramones and the Clash hurtled its way into high culture, when Christie’s hosted its first auction devoted to punk memorabilia.
Vivienne Westwood bondage pants, photographs of Lou Reed and Blondie, badges for the Buzzcocks and concert fliers from clubs like Max’s Kansas City went up for bid at the decidedly nonpunk hour of 10 a.m. Estimates were as high as $1,500 for an original “God Save the Queen” Sex Pistols T-shirt and $7,000 for an autographed Ramones test album from 1976.
