Curio Cards

**NFT artists are increasingly turning to traditional book publishing** to give their digital creations lasting physical form. - CryptoArtists are exploring new ways to preserve and showcase their work beyond digital platforms - SuperRare is developing an **artist book library** to support this transition - The trend represents a hybrid approach combining digital ownership with tangible art forms This movement allows collectors to experience NFT art in both digital and physical formats, creating **dual value propositions** for artists and buyers. The shift demonstrates how the NFT space continues evolving beyond purely digital experiences.

The **ERC-721 standard** that defined NFTs references only four pioneering art projects: - **Curio Cards** - **CryptoKitties** - **CryptoPunks** - **Rare Pepe** **Curio Cards** played a particularly significant role in shaping modern NFT development. Their early innovation directly informed the creation of the Ethereum ERC-721 framework. This small group of projects laid the foundation for today's entire NFT ecosystem, demonstrating how a handful of early experiments became the building blocks for a multi-billion dollar market.

**phneep's Curio Cards 14-16** represent a unique moment in crypto art history - the only Ethereum artwork from this legendary Bitcoin artist. **The Artist Behind the Art** - OG Bitcoin artist since before Ethereum existed - Known for satirical reworks of famous logos and artworks - Long-time collaborator with Curio founder Mad Bitcoins - Created both the first ten Curio Cards and this later set **What Makes This Set Special** - Features the **crispest art** in the entire Curio collection - Transforms famous brand logos into **pro-Bitcoin statements** - Created in 2017 during Ethereum's experimental phase - Represents phneep's **only ETH artwork** outside the original ten cards **Historical Significance** This set captures a pivotal moment when Bitcoin maximalists were just beginning to experiment with Ethereum. phneep's decision to create art on ETH was rare and significant, making these cards a bridge between Bitcoin and Ethereum art cultures. The timeless quality and sharp execution of these brand parodies showcase why phneep became such an influential figure in crypto art.

**Curio Cards** made history as the **first art project** to bring physical artwork onto the Ethereum blockchain. The collection features diverse artistic mediums: - **Daniel Friedman's Cards**: Hand-drawn using traditional pen on paper - **Marisol Vengas' work**: Mixed media layered collage techniques - **Cryptograffiti's pieces**: Physical stickers placed on ATMs This groundbreaking project demonstrates how **traditional art forms** can be tokenized and preserved on-chain, bridging the gap between physical and digital art ownership. The collaboration showcases the **versatility of crypto art**, proving that blockchain technology can accommodate various artistic expressions beyond purely digital creations.

**Curio Cards achieved a historic milestone** by becoming the only art project ever auctioned at both Christie's and Sotheby's within the same month in October 2021. This unprecedented recognition from the world's two most prestigious auction houses highlights the significance of early NFT projects in the traditional art world. - First art project to appear at both major auction houses simultaneously - Occurred during the peak NFT adoption period in late 2021 - Demonstrates crossover appeal between digital and traditional art markets The dual auction presence underscores Curio Cards' position as a pioneering force in digital art collecting.

In 2016, a groundbreaking physical Bitcoin art show in San Francisco set the stage for what would become a pivotal moment in crypto art history. The exhibition, organized by Curio co-founders, featured works by @cryptograffiti and other artists. This physical showcase directly inspired the creation of **Curio Cards** in 2017, which brought the art exhibition experience onto the Ethereum blockchain, becoming the **first-ever NFT art project** on Ethereum mainnet. Watch the original exhibition: [Bitcoin Art Show 2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJh9xMmpsVg)

Launched in May 2017, one month before CryptoPunks, Curio Cards represents a significant milestone in NFT history. Initially taking four years to mint out, the collection experienced a dramatic surge in 2021, becoming a top-traded collection on OpenSea. Key developments: - Community-built wrapper contract enabling modern NFT platform compatibility - Creation of [ccsupply.xyz](http://ccsupply.xyz) for tracking ownership statistics - Launch of community merchandise store and physical card sets - Over 200 artistic remixes in the Remix Gallery - Featured in Christie's and Sotheby's auctions Only 20 complete sets exist, with notable collectors like @dmorey joining in 2021. The project has been featured in museums, books, and international TV, documenting early NFT history.

Curio Cards emerged in 2017 as a groundbreaking project during the ICO boom, introducing the first smart contract minting system on Ethereum - then called vending machines. The platform aimed to support artists through tokenized art distribution, offering a white glove service before the existence of NFT marketplaces like OpenSea. Key innovations: - First implementation of smart contract minting - Direct artist payment system - On-chain art storage - Peer-to-peer trading model The project gained recognition from the Ethereum Foundation for its innovative approach to digital art distribution and artist empowerment.

Curio Cards, the first Art NFT on Ethereum mainnet, has launched its second commemorative physical card print run. The new collection, created by @etheriad30, is now available for pre-order through the official merchandise store. - Limited edition physical cards - Commemorative 2nd edition print - Available at [Curio Cards Merch Store](https://merch.curio.cards/products/curio-card-physical-commemorative-cards-2nd-edition-print-pre-order) Don't miss this opportunity to own a piece of NFT history in physical form.