Collecting

Pinball Painting That’s Rarely Seen in Public May Fetch $25 Million

  • Owners Ken and Judy Siebel bought the Thiebaud work in 1982
  • It’s being auctioned off just ahead of artist’s 100th birthday
Four Pinball Machines by Wayne ThiebaudSource: Christie’s

A row of vintage pinball machines painted by California artist Wayne Thiebaud, who’s turning 100 in November, may fetch as much as $25 million at Christie’s next month.

The 1962 canvas -- “Four Pinball Machines” -- will be among the top lots of a relay-style auction on July 10. Even if the work sells at the low estimate of $18 million, that would be more than double Thiebaud’s auction record.