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I Fought The Law, 2004

BY
I Fought The Law, 2004
Editions: 150 signed, 500 unsigned

‘I Fought The Law and I Won…’

I Fought the Law, also known as IFTL, is based on a video footage of John Hinckley’s 1981 failed assassination attempt on U.S. President Ronald Reagan. In a violent struggle, one man is being pinned. The man on the ground has dropped a paintbrush, with which he has just scrawled the words “I Fought The Law And I Won” in bright orange paint on the wall behind. In Banksy’s version, the criminal is a graffiti artist, instead of a killer.
 
As usually the case in Banksy’s artworks, several interpretations are possible… One the one hand, those who rise above the law and fight protocol, are invariably knocked down by law enforcement or some authority in charge. Alternatively, it could be seen that, despite getting caught, the graffiti artist had already won – by writing on the wall, he had succeeded in getting his message out there despite what happened next.

Shooting a President: The Reagan Assassination Attempt Explained

 

I Fought the Law is controversial and overtly anti-authoritarian, condemning the violence of the authorities and calling for acts of rebellion. It clearly suggests that street artists are considered to be serious criminals in the eyes of the law and are treated as such. The artist arguably positions himself in the place of Hinckley on the ground, substituting his firearm for a paintbrush. The text references the title of the song I Fought The Law (and The Law Won) by The Clash from 1979.

 

DESCRIPTION

I Fought The Law

Year: 2004
Medium: Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Size: 70×70 cm (27 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls

Editions

Signed Edition: 150
Unsigned Edition: 500

Colorways Editions
Orange AP: 8 signed AP
Pink AP: 8 signed AP
Red AP: 8 signed AP
Yellow AP: 8 signed AP
Silver AP: Size Unknown
Uncut AP: 26 signed AP (various colorways)

COLORWAYS

I Fought The Law (Orange AP), 2004
Edition: 8 signed AP

I Fought The Law (Red AP), 2004
Edition: 8 signed AP

I Fought The Law (Yellow AP), 2004
Edition: 8 signed AP

I Fought The Law (Pink AP), 2004
Edition: 8 signed AP

I Fought The Law (Silver AP), 2004

Edition: Unknown

AUCTION RESULTS

1. I Fought the Law (unsigned)

I Fought The Law (unsigned) sold 5 times at auction in 2024 for a total turnover of GBP 66,626 (USD 85,308) at an average price of GBP 13,325 (USD 17,062). Its highest price for 2024 of GBP 20,100 (USD 25,491) was achieved at Forum Auctions on 30 January 2024.

I Fought The Law (unsigned) sold 5 times at auction in 2023 for a total turnover of GBP 92,009 (USD 115,468) at an average price of GBP 18,402 (USD 23,094). Its highest price for 2023 of GBP 22,860 (USD 28,457) was achieved at Sotheby’s online on 20 April 2023.

I Fought The Law (unsigned) sold 6 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 117,244 (USD 146,733) at an average price of GBP 19,541 (USD 24,455). Its highest price for 2022 of GBP 25,460 (USD 32,080) was achieved at Forum Auctions on 25 April 2022.

I Fought The Law (unsigned) sold 12 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 365,784 (USD 572,090) at an average price of GBP 30,482 (USD 44,007). It sold at Bonhams in London on 25 February 2021 for GBP 44,000 (USD 62,120), its highest price in 2021.

I Fought The Law (unsigned) sold at SBI Art Auction in Tokyo on 31 October 2020 for JPY 7,705,000 (USD 75,010 / GBP 57,700), its all-time high auction record.

2025 Auction Results

Christie’s online: 1 April 2025
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 13,860 / USD 17,907

BANKSY
I Fought the Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 499/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

LA Modern: 8 January 2025
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 25,000
USD 17,780

BANKSY (b.1975)
I Fought the Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors
Numbered to lower right ‘83/500’

2024 Auction Results

I Fought The Law (unsigned) sold 5 times at auction in 2024 for a total turnover of GBP 66,626 (USD 85,308) at an average price of GBP 13,325 (USD 17,062). Its highest price for 2024 of GBP 20,100 (USD 25,491) was achieved at Forum Auctions on 30 January 2024.

Tate Ward Auctions: 11 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 10,750 / USD 13,975

BANKSY (British 1974-)
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on paper
Numbered from an edition of 500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 4 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
Hammer: GBP 8,200
GBP 10,990 / USD 14,260

BANKSY  (b.1974)
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s New-York: 22 October 2024
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 15,600

BANKSY (b. 1974)
I Fought the Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 214/500

Christie’s online: 26 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 12,600 / USD 15,980

BANKSY
I Fought the Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 138/500 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)

Forum Auctions: 30 January 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 15,000 / USD 19,023 (HAMMER)
GBP 20,100 / USD 25,491

BANKSY (b.1974)
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in black and orange
Numbered from the edition of 500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2023 Auction Results

I Fought The Law (unsigned) sold 5 times at auction in 2023 for a total turnover of GBP 92,009 (USD 115,468) at an average price of GBP 18,402 (USD 23,094). Its highest price for 2023 of GBP 22,860 (USD 28,457) was achieved at Sotheby’s online on 20 April 2023.

 

Artcurial Paris: 28 November 2023
Estimated: EUR 12,000 – 15,000
EUR 20,336 / USD 22,286

BANKSY
I Fought The Law (Unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 223/500 in pencil lower right with the publisher blindstamp

Arnet Auctions: 31 August 2023
Estimated: USD 18,000 – 25,000
USD 22,500

BANKSY
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on buff wove paper
Numbered 383/500 in pencil

Forum Auctions: 30 August 2023
Estimated: GBP 11,000 – 15,000
HAMMER GBP 12,200
GBP 16,348 / USD 20,798

BANKSY
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 500

Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 22,860 / USD 28,457

BANKSY
I Fought the Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Numbered 237/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

2022 Auction Results

I Fought The Law (unsigned) sold 6 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 117,244 (USD 146,733) at an average price of GBP 19,541 (USD 24,455). Its highest price for 2022 of GBP 25,460 (USD 32,080) was achieved at Forum Auctions on 25 April 2022.

 

SBI Art Auction: 28 October 2022
Estimated: JPY 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
JPY 2,127,500 / USD 14,426 / GBP 12,445

BANKSY
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint
Printed signature, numbered and embossed on the lower part
From the edition of 500

SBI Art Auction: 16 September 2022
Estimated: JPY 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
JPY 2,415,000 / USD 16,892 / GBP 14,608

BANKSY
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint
Numbered on the lower left
From the edition of 500

Forum Auctions: 15 June 2022
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 16,750 / USD 20,603

BANKSY (b. 1974)
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2005
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 500 in pencil

Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 25,200 / USD 31,752

BANKSY
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Numbered 134/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Forum Auctions: 25 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 25,000
GBP 25,460 / USD 32,080

BANKSY (b. 1974)
I Fought the Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 500, with the publisher’s blindstamp

2021 Auction Results

I Fought The Law (unsigned) sold 12 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 365,784 (USD 572,090) at an average price of GBP 30,482 (USD 44,007). It sold at Bonhams in London on 25 February 2021 for GBP 44,000 (USD 62,120), its highest price in 2021.

Phillips Hong-Kong: 29 November 2021
Estimated: HKD 150,000 – 250,000

HKD 226,800 / USD 29,080 / GBP 21,700

BANKSY
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Numbered 440/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 7,000 – 9,000

GBP 35,280 / USD 49,039

BANKSY
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Numbered 204/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Bonhams London: 28 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 22,250 / USD 30,928
BANKSY
I Fought The Law (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Numbered 113/500 in pencil, lower right

2. I Fought The Law (signed)

I Fought The Law (signed) sold twice at auction in 2024, at Forum Auctions, on 30 April 2024, for GBP 32,160 (USD 40,200), and at Christie’s online on 1 October 2024 for GBP 21,420 (USD 28,489).

I Fought The Law (signed) sold once at auction in 2023, at Tate Ward Auctions on 29 March 2023 for GBP 32,500 (USD 40,009).

I Fought The Law (signed) sold 3 times at auction in 2022.

2024 Auction Results

I Fought The Law (signed) sold twice at auction in 2024, at Forum Auctions, on 30 April 2024, for GBP 32,160 (USD 40,200), and at Christie’s online on 1 October 2024 for GBP 21,420 (USD 28,489).

Christie’s online: 1 October 2024
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 21,420 / USD 28,489

BANKSY
I Fought the Law (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered 428/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
A signed impression within the unsigned edition of 500 (there was also a signed edition of 150)

Forum Auctions: 30 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 24,000 (HAMMER)
GBP 32,160 / USD 40,200

BANKSY (b. 1974)
I Fought The Law (Signed), 2004
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered from the edition of 150 with the publisher’s blindstamp

2023 Auction Results

Tate Ward Auctions: 29 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 26,000 – 30,000
GBP 32,500 / USD 40,009

BANKSY
I Fought The Law (signed), 2004
Screenprint in black and orange on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered from the edition of 150

Prior Years Auction Results

Forum Auctions: 3 March 2022
GBP 60,300 / USD 82,008

I Fought The Law (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Inscribed AP/04 in pencil, lower right

Dedicated to FRANK in pencil, lower left

Christie’s online: 23 September 2021

GBP 50,000 / USD 69,500

I Fought The Law (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right

Numbered 110/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

 

Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021

GBP 56,700 / USD 78,813

I Fought The Law (signed), 2004
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 10/150 in pencil, lower right

 

3. I Fought The Law (colorways AP)

Forum Auctions: 4 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
Hammer: GBP 27,000
GBP 36,180 / USD 46,960

BANKSY (b.1974)
I Fought the Law (Yellow) (Signed AP), 2004
Screenprint in black and yellow on wove paper
A rare variant printed on an untrimmed sheet
Signed and inscribed ‘AP/45’ in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
An artist’s proof aside from the edition of 150

Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 125,000 / USD 172,500
BANKSY
I Fought The Law (Red AP), 2004
Signed “BANKSY!” and dated in pencil, lower right

Numbered 6/8 in pencil, lower left

Forum Auctions: 13 July 2021
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 54,000 (Hammer)
GBP 72,360 / USD 100,580

BANKSY (b.1974)
I Fought The Law (Color AP) (signed), 2004
The very rare screenprint in black and yellow
Signed and numbered from the edition of 71 AP’s in pencil
There were three other colorway combinations within this edition
An artist’s proof aside from the standard signed edition of 150 with the text in orange

Tate Ward Auctions: 9 December 2020
GBP 93,750 / USD 125,625

BANKSY
I Fought The Law (Signed AP), 2004
Screenprint in black and yellow
Signed and Numbered from an edition of 71 APs

Gallery

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