Those in search of a unique Velvet Underground item to buy their mate or spouse for XMas should head on over to eBay. Per the item blurb:
As explained to me by someone who hung out at Andy Warhol's studio and funhouse, The Factory, in the 1960s, it was during the above-mentioned delay, that Warhol and cohorts were "messing around" with various banana stickers destined for the reissue covers. For this one, they punched holes through the banana skin so the pink banana inside would show through. One other "ICE PICK" copy is known.
I don't know how an ice pick -- especially one wielded by the raging speedfreaks at the Factory -- could make such clean holes, but clearly something made them, and the item appears authentic to me.
This confused me until I found out that an ice pick is not an ice axe (definitely unsafe in the hands of a raging speedfreak). Some of the holes look like they were made with a standard hole punch but, either way, does that make for great art and a three grand price tag? I think not. It made me think of the Shot Marilyns but in my mind there's no comparison.
