BANKSY PRINTS
Top Lots At Auction
Updated as of 1 July 2021
The value of Banksy prints has increased substantially over the course of the past year. Some of the most iconic ones, such as Girl with Balloon, or Love Is In The Air have reached unprecedented heights at auction. We show below some of those prints that recently sold for record prices.
#1: Girl with Balloon & Morons Sepia
GBP 1,232,500 / USD 1,596,089
Phillips London, 22 October 2020
Banksy released a few very rare double-sided editions in very small sizes. A biting example of Banksy’s satirical oeuvre, Girl with Balloon & Morons Sepia is a double-sided composition boasting two of the artist’s most famous images: Girl with Balloon and Morons.
Girl with Balloon and Morons Sepia, 2007
Girl with Balloon: spray-paint on paper
Morons Sepia: screen-print on paper, double-sided
56.5 x 76 cm (22 1/4 x 29 7/8 inches)
On the recto, Girl with Balloon depicts a young girl extending her hand toward a red heart-shaped balloon, carried away by the wind. On the reverse, a crowd of art collectors is shown gathered around an auctioneer who, mid-performance, gestures toward a large, gilt-framed canvas. When held up to light, Girl with Balloon and Morons Sepia magically fuse into a single composition, transporting the young girl into the sale room, and creating a mirror effect between her extended arm and that of the auctioneer. Forming part of an edition of 8 works, each version is nonetheless rendered unique by the artist’s spray painting of the young girl’s figure to the front of the work – a feat that distinguishes it from Banksy’s other editions of Girl with Balloon and Morons.
#2: Girl with Balloon
Girl with Balloon (Gold AP)
GBP 1,104,000 / USD 1,513,886
Sotheby’s London, 25 March 2021
Girl with Balloon is with no doubt one of the most iconic prints ever released by Banksy. The artist released it as one signed edition of 150 prints, one unsigned edition of 600 prints, and an AP edition of 88 signed prints spread in 4 different colorways.
The Artist’s Proofs editions of Girl with Balloon are now collectors’ favorites due to their small edition sizes. They are the most sought-after versions of Girl with Balloon. The highest price at auction for Girl with Balloon (AP) was achieved at Sotheby’s London, on 25 March 2021 when Girl with Balloon (Gold AP) sold for GBP 1,104,000 (USD 1,513,886). On 29 September 2020, Girl with Balloon (Dark Purple AP) sold at Christie’s online for GBP 791,250 (USD 1,044,450).
Girl with Balloon (Gold AP), 2004
Screen-print in colors on paper
69.4 x 49.5 cm (25 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches)
Signed and numbered AP/7 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
From the edition of 88 artist’s proofs (comprised of different color variants)
Girl with Balloon (Dark Purple AP), 2004
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered AP 64 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Christie’s online, 29 September 2020
GBP 791,250 / USD 1,044,450
The highest price paid at auction for Girl with Balloon (signed) is GBP 475,000 (USD 655,500) at Christie’s online on 1 April 2021. Only one Girl with Balloon (signed) sold at auction so far in 2021, and three in total in 2020.
Girl with Balloon (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in pencil, lower left
Numbered 46/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Christie’s online, 1 April 2021
GBP 475,000 / USD 655,500
On the contrary to its signed version, Girl with Balloon (unsigned) is one of the most sold prints at auction.
It sold 12 times already in 2021 and 13 times in total in 2020. It reached its highest price at auction of GBP 323,965 (USD 450,312) at Bonhams Los Angeles on 24 March 2021. However, there is a very strong volatility in auction results, it last sold at Forum Auctions for GBP 113,900 (USD 159,460).
#3: Love Is In the Air
Love Is In The Air (AP)
USD 687,500
Christie’s New-York, 3 December 2020
Love Is In The Air is an early iconic Banksy print. It was released in a single edition of 500, of which Banksy signed approximately 50. Banksy also released 27 signed AP, those are the most expensive and sought-after versions.
Love Is In the Air (signed AP), 2003
Signed and numbered “BANKSY AP/17” in pencil, lower right
Christie’s New-York, 3 December 2020
USD 687,500
A signed version of Love Is In the Air sold at Christie’s online on 1 April 2021 for GBP 475,000 (USD 655,500).
Love Is In the Air (signed), 2003
Signed and dated in black ink, lower right
Numbered 11/500 in pencil, lower right
Christie’s online, 1 April 2021
GBP 475,000 / USD 655,500
Love Is In the Air (unsigned) only sold 5 times at auction in 2020, but it already sold 10 times at auction so far in 2021. It reached its highest price of GBP 214,200 (USD 297,738) at Sotheby’s online on 18 March 2021. It last sold at Bonhams online on 29 June 2021 for GBP 75,250 (USD 104,082).
#4: Nola
Nola (Yellow Rain)
GBP 375,000 / USD 517,500
Christie’s online, 1 April 2021
Nola was released in various colorways. Nola (White Rain) is the largest edition made of 289 signed prints, then Nola (Grey Rain) was released in an edition of 63 signed prints. Banksy also released Nola (Orange Rain) and Nola (Yellow Rain) in editions of 32 and 31 signed prints respectively. Finally, Banksy released an AP edition of 66 signed prints into various multi-colored rain colorways.
Signed in red pen, hand-applied red sticker
Inscribed with a heart, a cross with four dots, and a peace sign
Unique proof outside of the edition
Christie’s online, 1 April 2021
GBP 375,000 / USD 517,500
Other versions of Nola already sold at high prices.
Nola (Green to Blue Rain AP), 2008
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered AP/26 in pencil, lower left
Christie’s London, 1 July 2021
GBP 218,750 / USD 301,000
#5: Thrower
Thrower (Grey)
GBP 343,750 / USD 477,813
Tate Ward Auctions, 24 March 2021
Thrower is the most recent print released by Banksy through GDP. It is already reaching very high prices at auction.
Signed and numbered XXX/300
Choose Your Weapon (Fluoro Green)
GBP 302,400 / USD 420,336
Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021
Choose Your Weapon is the last print released by Banksy through Pictures on Walls. It was released in numerous colorways each in editions of 25 signed prints. Because of its numerous colorways in bright and vivid colors, and the fact that they have all been released in small edition sizes, Choose Your Weapon has become one of the most expensive Banksy prints at auction.
Choose Your Weapon (Fluoro Green), 2010
Signed in green crayon, lower right
Numbered 8/25 in pencil, lower left
Choose Your Weapon (Soft Yellow), 2010
Signed in yellow crayon, lower right
Numbered 8/25 in yellow pencil, lower left
International Art Center, 30 March 2021
GBP 238,919 / USD 329,708
Choose Your Weapon (Queue Jumper), 2010
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 19/58 in pencil, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021
GBP 201,600 / USD 280,224
Kate Moss (Original)
GBP 277,200 / USD 385,308
Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021
Kate Moss was released in 2005 as an edition of only 50 signed prints with its original color. It was also released into 6 colorways of only 20 signed prints each. Kate Moss (Original) did not appear at auction since 2016.
Kate Moss (Original), 2005
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated, and numbered 47/50 in pencil, lower right
Donut (Chocolate VIP Edition)
GBP 254,600 / USD 341,164
Forum Auctions, 7 December 2020
Banksy released a Special VIP hand-finished Edition that only sold once at auction.
Donut (Chocolate, Special VIP Edition), 2009
Signed and Numbered 2/25 in pink crayon, lower left
Grannies (Hand-Finished)
GBP 226,800 / USD 315,252
Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021
Grannies was released at the occasion of Barely Legal, Banksy’s seminal show in Los Angeles in 2006. It was released as a signed edition of 150 prints, and an unsigned edition of 500 prints. Banksy also released a very limited exclusive hand-finished version with extensive hand-spraying of only 11 signed prints.
Grannies (Hand-Finished), 2006
Screen-print in colors on Arches wove paper
with extensive hand-sprayed additions in purple and green
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed and numbered HF 9/11 (one of 11 hand-finished impressions)
The highest price paid at auction for Grannies (signed) is GBP 107,100 (USD 148,869) at Sotheby’s online on 18 March 2021.
Grannies (signed), 2006
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 3/150 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s online, 18 March 2021
GBP 107,100 / USD 148,869
Laugh Now (signed)
GBP 200,250 / USD 282,719
Bonhams London, 25 February 2021
Laugh Now is based on one of the most iconic stencil of Banksy. It was released in 2003 as a signed edition of 150, and an unsigned edition of 600. Banksy also released an Artist’s Proof edition of 69 signed prints.
Signed and dated in black ink, lower right
Numbered 86/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Signed and dated in black ink, lower right
Numbered 56/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Phillips London, 14 June 2021
GBP 151,200 / USD 214,704
#11: Rude Copper
Rude Copper (signed)
GBP 167,500 / USD 221,100
Forum Auctions, 4 September 2020
Rude Copper is considered to be the first commercial print released by Banksy.
Rude Copper (signed), 2002
With unique spray-paint in Yellow
Signed and numbered 2/250 in black pen, lower right
Stamped with the red BANKSY tag as issued
Rude Copper (Hand-Finished), 2002
With unique spray-paint in Orange
Unsigned, Proof aside from the Edition of 250
Artnet Auctions, 24 November 2020
GBP 161,160 / USD 215,820
#12: Rats Prints
Gangsta Rat (signed)
GBP 154,100 / USD 206,494
Forum Auctions, 7 December 2020
Gangsta Rat was released in 2004 in a main edition in red of 150 signed prints, and 350 unsigned prints. Banksy also released various rare colorways in smaller edition sizes. Gangsta Rat (signed) is the most expensive Rat Print to ever sell at auction.
Gangsta Rat (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in pencil, lower left
Numbered /150 in pencil lower right
Forum Auctions, 7 December 2020
GBP 154,100 / USD 206,494
But it is followed very closely by Radar Rat and Love Rat (signed).
Radar Rat (unsigned), 2004
Numbered XX/25 in pencil, lower right
Forum Auctions, 13 July 2021
GBP 147,400 / USD 206,630
