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“Childish”: Man Speaks Out After Spending $4k On ‘Signed’ Taylor Swift Guitar Only To Destroy It
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“Childish”: Man Speaks Out After Spending $4k On ‘Signed’ Taylor Swift Guitar Only To Destroy It

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The man who paid $4,000 to buy a Taylor Swift guitar only to smash it into total destruction with a hammer broke his silence. Gary Estes, from Texas, USA, reportedly claimed that the Shake it Off hitmaker didn’t physically sign the instrument herself, although it bears her autograph and includes a certificate of authenticity.

According to Gary, Taylor didn’t sign the actual guitar, but instead, signed a different piece of memorabilia that was affixed to the instrument, TMZ reported on Wednesday (October 2).

Highlights
  • Gary claims Taylor Swift didn't physically sign the guitar he smashed.
  • Gary smashed the guitar as a 'gag,' egged on by the crowd.
  • The guitar still bears Taylor's autograph and authenticity certificate.

A source close to the Grammy Awards winner’s merchandise company reportedly told TMZ that she didn’t sign the guitar.

However, the Ellis County WildGame Dinner, a nonprofit in Waxahachie, Texas, which was responsible for auctioning the instrument, previously said it was signed.

The man who paid $4,000 to buy a Taylor Swift guitar only to smash it into total destruction with a hammer broke his silence

Image credits: Thomas Niedermueller/TAS24/Getty Images

The nonprofit also reportedly provided Gary with a certificate of authenticity. Gary has subsequently told TMZ the smashing guitar act was just a “gag” and the crowd was “egging him on.”

Nevertheless, Gary’s swinging hammer reportedly didn’t destroy Taylor’s signature. The Texan consequently put the guitar up for auction on eBay.

He further revealed that the money from the sale would go to charity. As of Thursday (October 3), the current bid was $4,650.

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Image credits: jdcobb58

Gary Estes, from Texas, USA, reportedly claimed that the Shake it Off hitmaker didn’t physically sign the instrument herself

Image credits: JoJoFromJerz

Gary is now prepared to deliver the guitar to Taylor if she wants to buy it and “really help out a charitable effort in Texas,” TMZ reported.

Footage of Gary smashing the pop star’s guitar went viral after being released on August 30. The video showcased the man stepping up to receive his prize at the Ellis County Wild Game Dinner while people gasped and then cheered as he destroyed the valuable instrument.

Image credits: eBay

However, the guitar bears Taylor’s autograph and includes a certificate of authenticity

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Image credits: JoJoFromJerz

The incident ignited debates on several platforms from fans offended at what they perceived as a slight against their idol, as a Swiftie wrote: “Does he not realize that he still spent $4K on that guitar!? 

“These are the same folks that cry about Taylor being an out-of-touch billionaire.”

Image credits: eBay

Footage of Gary smashing the pop star’s guitar went viral after being released on August 30

@jdcobb58 Man pays $3200.00 dollars for autographed Taylor Swift Guitar then smashes it to pieces with a hammer. #taylorswift ♬ original sound – jdcobb58

The viral video showed Gary approaching the stage to receive the instrument before the crowd cheered him on as the host invited him to smash it on the floor like a 1980s rockstar

Gary subsequently decided to just start poking holes in the body of the guitar with a hammer repeatedly, which was adorned in a pink motif and what appeared to be a photo of the Taylor at the bottom.

Bored Panda has contacted Taylor’s representatives for comment.

“This was a glorious display of toxic masculinity,” a reader commented

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Andréa Oldereide

Andréa Oldereide

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

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Andréa Oldereide

Andréa Oldereide

Writer, BoredPanda staff

I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

Karina Babenok

Karina Babenok

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

As a visual editor in the News team, I look for the most interesting pictures and comments to make each post interesting and informative through images, so that you aren't reading only blocks of text. I joined Bored Panda not that long ago, but in this short amount of time I have covered a wide range of topics: from true crime to Taylor Swift memes (my search history is very questionable because of that).In my freetime, I enjoy spending time at the gym, gaming, binging Great British Bake Off and adding yet another tattoo artist that I would love to get a tattoo from to my pinterest board.

Read less »

Karina Babenok

Karina Babenok

Author, BoredPanda staff

As a visual editor in the News team, I look for the most interesting pictures and comments to make each post interesting and informative through images, so that you aren't reading only blocks of text. I joined Bored Panda not that long ago, but in this short amount of time I have covered a wide range of topics: from true crime to Taylor Swift memes (my search history is very questionable because of that).In my freetime, I enjoy spending time at the gym, gaming, binging Great British Bake Off and adding yet another tattoo artist that I would love to get a tattoo from to my pinterest board.

What do you think ?
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michael Chock
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing how anti cancel culture culture is so focused on literally destroying any culture that isn't theirs.

Roger9er
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a möron. I think that sentence quite covers the whole action.

The Phantom Stranger
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This article was so badly written that I'm not really sure what I just read. Was he upset that the guitar wasn't actually autographed, or does he just not like Taylor Swift? He says he's now auctioning the broken guitar off--apparently for more than he paid--for charity, but didn't the money he spent in the first place already go to charity? I'm confused. (This article was choppy anyway, and the pop-up ads that keep bouncing it around my phone screen aren't helping. Thank, BP!)

Tamra
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another idiotic, childish Maga display. Eye roll and move on.

Guess Undheit
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another day, another pathetic cisgender heterosexual christian white male.

similarly
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BP, why are you giving publicity to ridiculous nonsense like this? Just stop it, and go back to cute animals and the funny and heartwarming stuff you use to do when I first started coming here. I swear, BP is becoming the internet's septic tank.

Natalia
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem is that BP used to be about quality, now it's all about quantity

Load More Replies...
Virgil Blue
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a win win situation. The charity gets the money, the idiot loses the money, the guitar, and gets to show he's an air sole to everyone involved, a good warning for dealing with him in the future.

BeesEelsAndPups
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the story is more about I stupid guy who spent $4000 on something dumb. To me it's a waste of money. And it's a shame to destroy something that somebody else could have enjoyed. BUT, it's also his money to waste, so whatever. If he has the resources to burn $4000 on 10 seconds of feeling like a big guy, then who am I to say he shouldn't.

Load More Replies...
Mallory Morrison
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No doubt this "man" complains about the price of groceries being too high while wasting $4000 on this nonsense.

GlitterPanda
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people will do anything in place of just going to therapy

Otto Katz
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like those people who bought Keurig coffee machines JUST so they could smash them to MaKE a pOiNT!

Lorrie Crabtree
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooooo. What was the purpose of destroying the guitar? What did this bone-head hope to achieve? Does he even understand that the only person even remotely hurt by this, is him? Specifically his wallet?

Daniel Lamay
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that some, not all, men think this is a great way to make a complete a*s of themselves in order to feed their misdirected EGO. That's what I think. What do people who don't support the constitution think? They think it was an awesome display of eff anyone who doesn't like Trump and how dare TS endorse anyone but the orange turd. I mean especially after she "endorsed him" on his own social platform! (Because yes, MAGA goons be that ego and stupid) AI phoney stuff and all. They be stupid like that!

Donna Peluda
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great time for Taylor Swift to meet the guy and donate some money to Texas, I believe, please correct me if I´m wrong, that Texas has very low or no state tax. A woke (still no idea what it means) donator would be irony.

Mark Fergel
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All this guy is trying to do is shift the focus from him being a jerk to Taylor being a jerk. He smashes a charity guitar. Gets called out for it. Now he's trying to shift it to Taylor by telling her she should purchase the guitar. She has made more donations to charity than this guy will never even come close too. https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swifts-charity-donations-gifts-timeline/

Philly Bob Squires
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

EgGs Is So EgGsPeNsIvE! But I got 4K to blow on a guitar to destroy to show how anti-woke I am! Make America Great... send these fukkers to therapy or better yet, let nature take it's course.

Curry on...
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Freedom of choice and speech mean nothing to them unless it's in their favor.

Aline
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is spending 4k on a guitar to smash it any crazier than spending 4k on a guitar to keep in a glass case?

Cleatorman
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Toxic masculinity eh? there's always some want-to-be victim, ready to make some spurious association. It looks like he increased the value and its going to charity

CCLoos
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think anyone has actually purchased it yet. I would also like to know more about the charity.

Load More Replies...
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

kinda like Kid Rock shooting that six pack of beer over the spokesperson. Doesn't matter, the store/ auction house got their money, you want to throw a temper tantrum and destroy it that's your hang up. You just look stupid is all.

Jackie Vando
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sure if Taylor Swift had endorsed Trump, he would be putting that guitar on the same pedestal he does his cult leader!

Mike Saffas
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He realized he paid 4 grand for a fake signature and he was pissed at himself...ha

Jaaawn
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cannot stand Taylor Swift but I wouldn't go as far as wasting money like this.

Matt
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His money bought the guitar so he can do what he wants with it no matter how stupid it may seem to you could he could have chosen a better way to spend 4000 but again his choice his money

Coupon Woolfall
Community Member
1 month ago

This comment has been deleted.

CanadianDimes
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Think of how much food that $4000 could have bought for a food bank

WonderWoman
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh it's okay, cuz the crowd was egging you on. Sounds like this old dude has impulse issues, and will do most anything for other people's approval. And ya just know he has guns. Stupid is as stupid does.

Zelda McLink
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an absolute k**b. $4000 could literally change someone's life and he just wasted it so he could look cool to a bunch of other knobs.

Mäandertal
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wished there was some more actual info here. But I assume his statements were equally nebulous.

Tara Moov
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure why someone downvoted your comment, but I cancelled it out. I agree that this article doesn't give information on his motive. He might be a raging Trump voter, but this article provides no quotes or evidence, just screenshots of others stating their assumptions. I have no idea if it's due to being "anti-woke" or upset that the autograph wasn't on the guitar itself or just a lonely old man taking advantage of attention from a crowd.

Load More Replies...
SkippityBoppityBoo
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Careful! Don't rile up the Swifties!!! 😄 They can be rabid!!!... I once said that I don't particularly mind her, just that One. Bloody. Song!!! It was "Shake it off" and I'd been in five different shops over that day and every time? What song comes on??? 😭😭😭 I got a lot of abuse from Swifties!!! 😄

_-DungeonKeeper-_
Community Member
1 month ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

As someone who would most definitely spend 4000 dollars to vex Taylor Swift (not bc of voting, idek what's happening with that anymore, just because we don't need more bad songwriters and singers in the world), hit the guitar more. If you don't, I will.

Aiden Brough
Community Member
1 month ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Odd how this person is deemed a moron by some, yet if it was a 'piece of art' (Banksy paper shredding or that chequebook artist who burned pictures) then this extravagence would be accepted. Each to their own I say if he wishes to waste his own money...

michael Chock
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing how anti cancel culture culture is so focused on literally destroying any culture that isn't theirs.

Roger9er
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a möron. I think that sentence quite covers the whole action.

The Phantom Stranger
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This article was so badly written that I'm not really sure what I just read. Was he upset that the guitar wasn't actually autographed, or does he just not like Taylor Swift? He says he's now auctioning the broken guitar off--apparently for more than he paid--for charity, but didn't the money he spent in the first place already go to charity? I'm confused. (This article was choppy anyway, and the pop-up ads that keep bouncing it around my phone screen aren't helping. Thank, BP!)

Tamra
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another idiotic, childish Maga display. Eye roll and move on.

Guess Undheit
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another day, another pathetic cisgender heterosexual christian white male.

similarly
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BP, why are you giving publicity to ridiculous nonsense like this? Just stop it, and go back to cute animals and the funny and heartwarming stuff you use to do when I first started coming here. I swear, BP is becoming the internet's septic tank.

Natalia
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem is that BP used to be about quality, now it's all about quantity

Load More Replies...
Virgil Blue
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a win win situation. The charity gets the money, the idiot loses the money, the guitar, and gets to show he's an air sole to everyone involved, a good warning for dealing with him in the future.

BeesEelsAndPups
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the story is more about I stupid guy who spent $4000 on something dumb. To me it's a waste of money. And it's a shame to destroy something that somebody else could have enjoyed. BUT, it's also his money to waste, so whatever. If he has the resources to burn $4000 on 10 seconds of feeling like a big guy, then who am I to say he shouldn't.

Load More Replies...
Mallory Morrison
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No doubt this "man" complains about the price of groceries being too high while wasting $4000 on this nonsense.

GlitterPanda
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people will do anything in place of just going to therapy

Otto Katz
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like those people who bought Keurig coffee machines JUST so they could smash them to MaKE a pOiNT!

Lorrie Crabtree
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooooo. What was the purpose of destroying the guitar? What did this bone-head hope to achieve? Does he even understand that the only person even remotely hurt by this, is him? Specifically his wallet?

Daniel Lamay
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that some, not all, men think this is a great way to make a complete a*s of themselves in order to feed their misdirected EGO. That's what I think. What do people who don't support the constitution think? They think it was an awesome display of eff anyone who doesn't like Trump and how dare TS endorse anyone but the orange turd. I mean especially after she "endorsed him" on his own social platform! (Because yes, MAGA goons be that ego and stupid) AI phoney stuff and all. They be stupid like that!

Donna Peluda
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great time for Taylor Swift to meet the guy and donate some money to Texas, I believe, please correct me if I´m wrong, that Texas has very low or no state tax. A woke (still no idea what it means) donator would be irony.

Mark Fergel
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All this guy is trying to do is shift the focus from him being a jerk to Taylor being a jerk. He smashes a charity guitar. Gets called out for it. Now he's trying to shift it to Taylor by telling her she should purchase the guitar. She has made more donations to charity than this guy will never even come close too. https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swifts-charity-donations-gifts-timeline/

Philly Bob Squires
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

EgGs Is So EgGsPeNsIvE! But I got 4K to blow on a guitar to destroy to show how anti-woke I am! Make America Great... send these fukkers to therapy or better yet, let nature take it's course.

Curry on...
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Freedom of choice and speech mean nothing to them unless it's in their favor.

Aline
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is spending 4k on a guitar to smash it any crazier than spending 4k on a guitar to keep in a glass case?

Cleatorman
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Toxic masculinity eh? there's always some want-to-be victim, ready to make some spurious association. It looks like he increased the value and its going to charity

CCLoos
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think anyone has actually purchased it yet. I would also like to know more about the charity.

Load More Replies...
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

kinda like Kid Rock shooting that six pack of beer over the spokesperson. Doesn't matter, the store/ auction house got their money, you want to throw a temper tantrum and destroy it that's your hang up. You just look stupid is all.

Jackie Vando
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sure if Taylor Swift had endorsed Trump, he would be putting that guitar on the same pedestal he does his cult leader!

Mike Saffas
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He realized he paid 4 grand for a fake signature and he was pissed at himself...ha

Jaaawn
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cannot stand Taylor Swift but I wouldn't go as far as wasting money like this.

Matt
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His money bought the guitar so he can do what he wants with it no matter how stupid it may seem to you could he could have chosen a better way to spend 4000 but again his choice his money

Coupon Woolfall
Community Member
1 month ago

This comment has been deleted.

CanadianDimes
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Think of how much food that $4000 could have bought for a food bank

WonderWoman
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh it's okay, cuz the crowd was egging you on. Sounds like this old dude has impulse issues, and will do most anything for other people's approval. And ya just know he has guns. Stupid is as stupid does.

Zelda McLink
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an absolute k**b. $4000 could literally change someone's life and he just wasted it so he could look cool to a bunch of other knobs.

Mäandertal
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wished there was some more actual info here. But I assume his statements were equally nebulous.

Tara Moov
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure why someone downvoted your comment, but I cancelled it out. I agree that this article doesn't give information on his motive. He might be a raging Trump voter, but this article provides no quotes or evidence, just screenshots of others stating their assumptions. I have no idea if it's due to being "anti-woke" or upset that the autograph wasn't on the guitar itself or just a lonely old man taking advantage of attention from a crowd.

Load More Replies...
SkippityBoppityBoo
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Careful! Don't rile up the Swifties!!! 😄 They can be rabid!!!... I once said that I don't particularly mind her, just that One. Bloody. Song!!! It was "Shake it off" and I'd been in five different shops over that day and every time? What song comes on??? 😭😭😭 I got a lot of abuse from Swifties!!! 😄

_-DungeonKeeper-_
Community Member
1 month ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

As someone who would most definitely spend 4000 dollars to vex Taylor Swift (not bc of voting, idek what's happening with that anymore, just because we don't need more bad songwriters and singers in the world), hit the guitar more. If you don't, I will.

Aiden Brough
Community Member
1 month ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Odd how this person is deemed a moron by some, yet if it was a 'piece of art' (Banksy paper shredding or that chequebook artist who burned pictures) then this extravagence would be accepted. Each to their own I say if he wishes to waste his own money...

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