Long time bass technician and keyboard player Michael Kenney posted on his Facebook wall that original artwork for Iron Maiden’s classic “Piece of Mind” will be on auction. So this is your chance to get a piece of metal history right there.
From the auction site:
Iron Maiden Derek Riggs Large Original Artwork Made forPiece of MindAlbum Cover. An unused piece of original artwork made for Iron Maiden’s 1983 LP, Piece of Mind. Done by longtime artist Derek Riggs, this features band mascot Eddie (held by chains) locked away in a padded room. While not the final image used for the album (the head and location of the legs are quite different), this is a rare beauty, a one-of-a-kind item. (Word is this was the original image made, but the band wanted Eddie to look more evil.)
As the follow-up to The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind was released in the spring of 1983. Featuring the future classics “The Trooper” and “Flight of Icarus,” this was the beginning of the quintessential Iron Maiden line-up. The sweeping power of new drummer Nicko McBrain gave the band a new jolt. The artwork used for album covers and T-shirts, in some ways, was better recognized than the band’s individual songs during those days.
So this alternate artwork is even more special to those who found deeper truth in Iron Maiden’s image and songs. Anyone could hear Def Leppard or Whitesnake on radio or see a video on MTV, but those in the know with Maiden were in a special army, all proud to show their merchandise with Eddie front and center.
Made on Daler artist board with pencil and paint with some painter’s tape adhered to edges. Measures 26 ¼” x 15 ¼”. Has wear from usage and creasing and toning. Comes with two signed COAs from Derek Riggs (including one featuring him holding the artwork). COA from Heritage Auctions.
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