For $500,000, a collectible Charlie Hebdo issue can be yours
People have been profiting off of tragedy forever, making it no real surprise that someone is selling Issue 1178 of Charlie Hebdo on Craigslist for $500,000.
It's the first edition to come out after the Jan. 7 attacks on the magazine's offices in Paris. The seller told The Village Voice that he's received at least one offer for the issue, which has sold 7 million copies worldwide. He's not the only one making a buck off of Charlie Hebdo — The Village Voice also found "Je suis Charlie" pencils, lampshades, and decorative pillowcases for sale online, as well as a $54.95 "Charlie Hebdo-themed" engagement ring on Etsy, with the weird tagline "bling for freedom."
None of this bothers Book Culture owner Chris Doeblin, who sold copies of Charlie Hebdo in his store (at its normal price). "The only sacrilege is telling people what they can't do," he told The Village Voice. "If they want to pray, they should. If they want to be Muslim, they should. If they want to sell this to make money, they should."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
5 deliciously funny cartoons about turkeys
Cartoons Artists take on pardons, executions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Crossword: November 23, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published