Hell of a small sum for US artist

THE mysterious artist who designed the iconic logo for the world’s most notorious outlaw motorcycle gang was paid just $2.50 for his work, a court has heard.

During a bitter legal battle over the copyright of the Hells Angels logo in Australia, the Federal Court was told late American artist Robert Kestner, who worked under the pseudonym “Sundown”, created the design for the club’s membership cards in 1954.

Barrister Robert Cobden SC, who is defending the Tshirt website Redbubble, told the court that the minutes of a meeting of the “Frisco” chapter in 1954 revealed the fee for the design in September 1954.

The Browns Plains-based Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation (Australia) – the corporate entity for the club that is outlawed – has sued Redbubble for damages.

It is claiming they suffered “hurt feelings, anxiety and anger” after their fearsome logo appeared on T-shirts and a poster.

Hells Angels Australia barrister Dimitrios Eliades said he was seeking damages for hurt.

The hearing continues this week.