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HMV, 2003

BY

HMV, 2003
Editions: 150 signed, 600 unsigned

‘The small print that packs a powerful punch.
It would say if this was the Argos catalogue.’

HMV, also known as His Master’s Voice, or Rocket Dog portrays a white dog casually pointing a bazooka towards a 19th century gramophone. Banksy seems to be commenting on the old-fashioned nature of the music industry which the dog intends to bring down. The use of block black and white detail adds to the work’s impact. Banksy appropriates the iconic logo of the British popular music and entertainment firm that was created in the 1920s. This work could also illustrate the lost battle of music retailers in the digital era. The gramophone also symbolizes past generations and conservatism the dog is determined to destroy in order to create room for something new.
Francois Barraud, His Master’s Voice, 1899
Banksy appropriates the iconic logo of the British popular music and entertainment firm of the same name that was created in the 1920s. The company logo itself derives from a painting by the English painter Francis Barraud that depicts a dog, called Nipper, listening intently to a cylinder phonograph. The original painting was created in 1899.
HMV Dog, Cargo Night Club, London, 2003

HMV Dog was first tagged on the streets of Banksy’s hometown of Bristol. Then in 2003, the artist used the stencil on the walls of the courtyard of the Cargo nightclub in London, this time with a colorful background consisting of undefined yellow and orange forms. Cargo, a well-known venue on Rivington Street in the middle of Shoreditch, outside of London, is built inside an old railway tunnel showcasing murals from many urban artists. Acclaimed as a local masterpiece, Banksy’s work has been protected by perspex for about 15 years now and crowds still gather to see it.

Invitation to Cargo Club to inaugurate HMV Dog, June 2003


His Master’s Voice (HMV) was the unofficial name of a major British record label created in 1901 by The Gramophone Co. Ltd. The phrase was first coined in the late 1890s as the title of a painting depicting a terrier dog named Nipper listening to a cylinder phonograph. It is probably the most famous trademark in the recording industry. In 1898, three years after Nipper’s death, Francis Barraud, his owner and brother of his first owner, painted a picture of Nipper listening intently to a wind-up Edison-Bell cylinder phonograph. On February 11, 1899, Francis Barraud filed an application for copyright of his painting “Dog Looking At and Listening to a Phonograph.”
In the 1970s, the statue of the dog and gramophone, His Master’s Voice, were cloaked in bronze and was awarded by the record company EMI to artists or music producers or composers as a music award and often only after selling more than 100,000 recordings.
 
Thinking the Edison-Bell Company located in New Jersey, USA, might find it useful, he presented it to James E. Hough, who promptly said, “Dogs don’t listen to phonographs.” On May 31, 1899, Francis Barraud went to the Maiden Lane offices of The Gramophone Company with the intention of borrowing a brass horn to replace the original black horn on the painting. Manager William Barry Owen suggested that if the artist replaced the machine with a Berliner disc gramophone, the company would buy the painting. A modified form of the painting became the successful trademark of HMV records, HMV music stores, and RCA. The trademark itself was registered by Berliner on July 10, 1900. (HMV is short for, His Master’s Voice.)
 

The slogan ‘His Master’s Voice’, along with the painting, was sold to The Gramophone Company for 100 pounds sterling. Francis Barraud said: “It is difficult to say how the idea came to me beyond that fact that it suddenly occurred to me that to have my dog listening to the phonograph, with an intelligent and rather puzzled expression, and call it “His Master’s Voice” would make an excellent subject. We had a phonograph and I often noticed how puzzled he was to make out where the voice came from. It certainly was the happiest thought I ever had”

DESCRIPTION

HMV, His Master’s Voice, Rocket Dog

Year: 2003
Medium: Screen-print in black on wove paper
Size: 35×50 cm (13 5/8 x 19 1/2 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
 

Editions

Signed Edition: 150
Unsigned Edition: 600

AUCTION RESULTS

1. HMV (unsigned)

HMV (unsigned) sold 7 times at auction in 2024, at an average price of GBP 14,723 (USD 19,006). It sold for its highest price of 2024 of GBP 17,640 (USD 22,372), at Christie’s online on 26 March 2024.

HMV (unsigned) sold 3 times at auction in 2023, twice at SBI Art Auction in Tokyo, and once at Bonhams in London, at an average price of GBP 16,064 (USD 20,338).

HMV (unsigned) sold 11 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 292,010 (USD 371,831) at an average price of GBP 26,546 (USD 33,803). It sold for its highest price in 2022 at SBI Art Auction in Tokyo, on 29 January 2022, when it sold for JPY 6,325,000 (USD 54,901 / GBP 40,074).

HMV (unsigned) sold 14 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 529,210 (USD 731,376), at an average price of GBP 37,801 (USD 52,241). It sold for its highest price in 2021 at SBI Art Auction on 27 January 2021 for JPY 8,255,000 (USD 81,400 / GBP 58,800)

The highest price ever paid at auction for HMV (unsigned) of GBP 62,750 (USD 84,426), was achieved at Bonhams in London on 10 December 2020.

2025 Auction Results

Lyon & Turnbull: 26 March 2025
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 12,600 / USD 16,254

BANKSY (British, 1974-)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint
Numbered 323/600 in pencil to margin, with the stamped signature

2024 Auction Results

HMV (unsigned) sold 7 times at auction in 2024, at an average price of GBP 14,723 (USD 19,006). It sold for its highest price of 2024 of GBP 17,640 (USD 22,372), at Christie’s online on 26 March 2024.

2024 Auction Results

 

Forum Auctions: 4 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
Hammer: GBP 11,000
GBP 14,740 / USD 19,135

BANKSY (b.1974)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil

Forum Auctions: 29 October 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
Hammer: GBP 10,000
GBP 13,400 / USD 17,393

BANKSY (b.1974)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil

Christie’s online: 1 October 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 15,120 / USD 20,110

BANKSY
HMV Dog (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in black on wove paper
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink
Numbered 37/600 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)

Tate Ward: 18 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 15,000 / USD 19,485

BANKSY (British 1974-)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
One color screen print on wove paper
Numbered 285/600 in pencil

Tate Ward: 19 June 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 15,000 / USD 19,125

BANKSY (British 1974-)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Color screen print on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Stamped ‘BANKSY’ in red ink, lower left

Christie’s online: 26 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 17,640 / USD 22,372

BANKSY
HMV Dog (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in black on wove paper
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink
Numbered 350/600 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)

Bonhams online: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 12,160 / USD 15,422

BANKSY (born 1974)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint
Numbered 250/600 in pencil lower right
With the artist’s red ink stamp lower right

2023 Auction Results

HMV (unsigned) sold 3 times at auction in 2023, twice at SBI Art Auction in Tokyo, and once at Bonhams in London, at an average price of GBP 16,064 (USD 20,338).

2023 Auction Results

Bonhams London: 20 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 11,520 / USD 14,054

BANKSY (British, born 1974)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 427/600 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

SBI Art Auction: 15 July 2023
Estimated: JPY 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
JPY 3,680,000 / USD 26,514

BANKSY
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint
Stamped signature and numbered on the lower part from the edition of 600

SBI Art Auction: 26 May 2023
Estimated: JPY 2,500,000 – 3,500,000
JPY 2,875,000 / USD 20,446

BANKSY
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint
Numbered on the lower part from the edition of 600

2022 Auction Results

HMV (unsigned) sold 11 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 292,010 (USD 371,831) at an average price of GBP 26,546 (USD 33,803). It sold for its highest price in 2022 at SBI Art Auction in Tokyo, on 29 January 2022, when it sold for JPY 6,325,000 (USD 54,901 / GBP 40,074).

2022 Auction Results

 

SBI Art Auction: 28 October 2022
Estimated: JPY 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
JPY 3,910,000 / USD 26,513 / GBP 22,873


BANKSY
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on paper
Stamped signature and numbered on the lower part
From the edition of 600

Bonhams London: 21 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 19,125 / USD 21,668

BANKSY (British, born 1974)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove
Numbered 460/600 and inscribed ‘DN’ in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp
Forum Auctions: 1 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 12.000 – 18,000
GBP 20,100 / USD 23,183
BANKSY (b.1974)
HMV (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil

Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 25,200 / USD 30,240

BANKSY
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Numbered 192/600 in pencil, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower left

Bonhams London: 27 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 21,037 / USD 26,507

BANKSY (British, born 1974)
HMV (DN) (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove
Numbered 458/600 and inscribed DN in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 25,200 / USD 31,752

BANKSY (b. 1974)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 98/600, stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink

SBI Art Auction: 27 January 2022
Estimated: JPY 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
JPY 6,325,000 / USD 54,901 / GBP 40,074
HIGHEST PRICE PAID AT AUCTION FOR HMV (UNSIGNED) IN 2022

BANKSY
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint
Stamped signature and numbered on the lower part
From the edition of 600

2021 Auction Results

HMV (unsigned) sold 14 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 529,210 (USD 731,376), at an average price of GBP 37,801 (USD 52,241). It sold for its highest price in 2021 at SBI Art Auction on 27 January 2021 for JPY 8,255,000 (USD 81,400 / GBP 58,800)

2021 Auction Results

 

Tate Ward Auctions: 7 December 2021
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 25,000 / USD 32,500

BANKSY (British 1974-)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
One color screen print on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil, stamped Banksy in red ink

Bonhams London: 22 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 25,000
GBP 24,000 / USD 33,360

BANKSY (British, born 1974)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove
Numbered 90/600 in pencil

Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 47,500 / USD 65,550

BANKSY (B. 1974)
HMV Dog (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in black on wove paper
Numbered 275/600 in pencil

Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 6,000 – 8,000
GBP 52,920 / USD 73,559

BANKSY (b. 1974)
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 476/600, stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, with the publisher’s blindstamp

SBI Art Auction: 27 January 2021
Estimated: JPY 1,500,000 – 2,500,000
JPY 8,255,000 / USD 81,400 / GBP 58,800
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR HMV (UNSIGNED) IN 2021

BANKSY
HMV (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint
Stamped signature and numbered on the lower right, Numbered on the certificate
From the edition of 600

2. HMV (signed)

HMV (signed) has sold once at auction in 2024, for GBP 27,720 (USD 36,868) at Christie’s online on 1 October 2024.

HMV (signed) sold once at auction in 2023, at Bonhams in New-York on 9 May 2023 for USD 60,855.

HMV (signed) has not sold at auction in 2022, it sold once at auction in 2021 at Bonhams in London on 11 November 2021 for GBP 62,750 (USD 84,713).

HMV (signed) sold for its auction record of GBP 80,400 (USD 106,128), at Forum Auctions on 27 October 2020.

 

Christie’s online: 1 October 2024
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 27,720 / USD 36,868

BANKSY
HMV Dog (signed), 2003-04
Screenprint in black on wove paper
Signed BANKSY!, dated 04 and numbered 55/150 DN in pencil
A duplicate number impression

Bonhams New-York: 9 May 2023
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 70,000
USD 60,855 / GBP 48,886

BANKSY
HMV Dog (signed), 2003
Signed in black ink, with the artist’s inkstamp in red, lower left
Numbered 19/150 DN in pencil. lower right

Bonhams London: 11 November 2021
GBP 62,750 / USD 84,713

BANKSY
HMV Dog (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Screenprint in black on wove paper
Numbered 59/150, lower right

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