In 2002, Raymond Pettibon curated the opening exhibition for GEM museum, with the help of Roel Arkesteijn. Working tirelessly, Pettibon managed to include an impressive 600 drawings and designs, resulting in a truly remarkable showcase. Soon after, he used his remaining time to create and finalize three comic books, all of which were printed and stapled in-house by Chantal Sieuw. These limited edition titles, with only 100 copies each, have since become highly sought-after collectables in the art world.
Among these coveted titles is “Over Easy,” the first one to be discussed in this article. Published by GEM in 2002, this 28-page book is a testament to Pettibon’s talent as an artist and author. Measuring 8.7 x 5.6 inches, it is in mint condition, making it a true gem for collectors.
Pettibon had specific requirements for the publication of these books. According to his design and instructions, they were to be copied and stapled, with each copy numbered in pencil (xxx/100).
Interestingly, during the time of the exhibition, these limited editions were not popular and sold for a mere 20 euros each. However, one year later, they were completely sold out, with some copies being offered and sold on eBay for around USD 350.00. It became evident that Pettibon had a devoted following of collectors who valued these rare books. Since then, Pettibon has published many more “comics” and art books, but “Over Easy” remains a standout piece, specially created for the opening of GEM in 2002. It is undoubtedly one of the highlights from the first decade of this new millennium.
