CryptoPunks collection to be featured in 800-page book documenting phenomenal rise

Phaidon will launch ‘CryptoPunks: Free to Claim’, the first and only comprehensive book featuring all 10,000 Punks ever created, offering a detailed look at how digital collectibles became a cultural phenomenon.

In a press release obtained by crypto.news on Oct. 16, global publishing firm Phaidon announced the upcoming release of “CryptoPunks: Free to Claim,” a book written, compiled and designed by Zak Kyes, creative director of web3 lifestyle and media company Yuga Labs. By Zak Group.

The book will be available to order in December for $100 US, $135 CAD, £49.95 in the UK and €89.95. A limited edition with e”HOLDER” written on the side will be available for CryptoPunk owners.

The book will be the first of its kind to showcase all 10,000 unique CryptoPunk non-fungible token characters compiled in print, containing each Punk’s type, attributes, pixel color and on-chain data in Image Hash format.

Artist Simon Denny placed each Punk as miniature icons on pages made of tear-away blotter paper. The book includes a comprehensive timeline with excerpts from community members’ posts and timestamped tweets.

“CryptoPunks: Free to Request” also includes interviews with key figures instrumental in the rise of CryptoPunks, such as founders Matt Hall and John Watkinson and artistic director Hans Ulrch Obrich.

Its glossary is filled with over a hundred web3 terms, contributed by industry pioneers like Beeple, Emily Segal, and Venkatesh Rao.

Leading names and experts in the world of digital art, design, fashion and fashion, such as Anika Meier, Gmoney, Mindy Seu, Chris Lyons (a16z), Salome Asega or NEW INC, New Models, Shumon, wrote texts or designed images for this book. Basar, Martina Tiefenthaler, Michael Connor or Rhizome, Jack Butcher and 6529.

Book cover for CryptoPunks: Free to Request, published by Phaidon | Source: Phaidon

This book aims to capture the rich history of these digital tokens through a series of text, interviews and visual essays that showcase the pervasive cultural influence of CryptoPunks on Crypto Art and how this will continue to remain relevant for years to come.

Originally released on June 23, 2017, CryptoPunks or Punks is a set of 10,000 uniquely rendered 24 x 24 pixel avatars inspired by the London 80s punk scene and 90s cyberpunk.

CryptoPunks started as NFTs that were free to claim; This is where the name of the book comes from. Due to high demand, CryptoPunks have grown to be bought and sold as digital collectibles, with prices ranging from thousands to millions of dollars. Punks have totaled more than $2.3 billion in sales since they began selling.

Some CryptoPunks have even been sold for millions of dollars at auctions held by Christie’s and Sotheby’s, as well as being turned into permanent collections at art institutions such as ICA Miami, Center Pompidou and LACMA.

A special, limited edition will be available for CryptoPunk holders with the word “Holder” printed on the margin of the book pages | Source: Phaidon