80s cult band Depeche Mode are under fire for selling their ‘official history’ book for hundreds of pounds.
Depeche Mode fans were delighted to see them announce an official history book illustrated by Anton Corbijn on their Twitter page. That delight was short lived, however, as the link took fans to a rather hefty price tag.
The art editions, which have since sold out, include an official print and were priced at £1500, while collectors’ editions are still available for £750.
The website says:
“Since 1986, Dutch master Anton Corbijn’s timeless and brooding aesthetic has cemented Depeche Mode’s reputation as effortlessly cool and cutting edge. With over 500 photographs from Corbijn’s personal archives, some never seen before, as well as stage set designs, sketches, album covers, and personal observations from Corbijn, this volume visually amplifies his stunning impact on the world’s biggest cult band.”
Twitter users were shocked to see the price tag- especially since many are struggling financially during the COVID19 pandemic. Some accused the illustrator of being tone deaf and out of touch while others joked that all they had to do was ‘rob a bank’ to pay for the book.
The timing of the book may be a little tone deaf considering the state of many people’s bank accounts right now but to be fair to Anton Corbijn, art takes time and inspiration, and the price tag may reflect the effort put in to create the exclusive content.
Check out Corbijn’s video below and judge for yourself.
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