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Morons, 2006-2007

BY

Morons (White), 2006

Edition: 150 signed, 500 unsigned

Showing an auctioneer conducting a sale to a room packed with bidders, Morons is based on the historical moment when Van Gogh’s Sunflowers achieved a hammer price of GBP 22.5 million at Christie’s on 30 March 1987, setting the record price for any work of art at auction.
 
This moment marked the beginning of changes in the art market, with the emergence of mega lots achieving record prices. In the present work, the large canvas being auctioned humorously bears the words, in block capitals
 
‘I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU MORONS ACTUALLY BUY THIS SHIT’.
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Edition: 300 signed
Banksy mocks the crowd, representing art collectors in general, who are ready to bid huge sums of money in order to acquire artworks. Some even doing so just to speculate and resell at higher prices, transforming the art market almost like a commodity trading market.
Ironically, Banksy is now one also the subject of intense bidding from art collectors willing to purchase his works for very high prices.
 Morons (LA Edition), 2006
Edition: 150 signed, 500 unsigned (only 100 were printed)
Obviously, Banksy’s relationship with the art market is complicated and nuanced, just like his relationship with law enforcement, which is precisely why he is so successful. The artist has expressed similarly critical opinions of the art world’s commercialism through public pranks such as the famous stunt he pulled in 2008 at Sotheby’s auction of Girl with Balloon. Immediately after the hammer struck down at a record price, a shredder that Banksy built into the frame itself was triggered, causing the art to immediately begin being shredded to the shock and horror of the art world. The painting has since been renamed Love is in the Bin and has unquestionably increased substantially in value after it got partially shredded publicly. The irony never ends with Banksy.
Morons (VIP Grey AP), 2007

Edition: 30 signed AP

RELEASE HISTORY

Morons is one of six prints belonging to the Barely Legal Print Set, which also includes Grannies, Trolleys, Applause, Sale Ends and Festival. Morons was originally released at Barely Legal as an edition of 100 unsigned prints, printed by Modern Multiples, that sold for $500 a piece.
In 2007, Banksy’s UK-based printer Pictures of Walls re-released different versions of the Morons print: 300 signed prints on a sepia background, as well as black and white editions of 500 unsigned and 150 signed prints.
Morons original, exhibited at Barely Legal, Los Angeles, 2006
The LA Edition of Morons differs from the later version released by Pictures on Walls, principally because of the gold frame… however it also misses the green numbers in front of the auctioneer that are found on the POW version. POW only released the remaining 400 prints unsigned prints. Morons (LA Edition) is numbered /500.

DESCRIPTION

Morons

Year: 2006
Medium: Screen-print in colors on Arches wove paper
Size: 56×76 cm (22×30 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls

Editions

Morons: 150 signed, 500 unsigned
Morons (Sepia): 300 signed
LA Edition: 150 signed, 100 unsigned, 6 signed Printer’s Proofs (PP)
VIP Edition: 30 Grey signed AP

 

AUCTION RESULTS

1. Morons (unsigned)

Morons (unsigned) sold 4 times at auction in 2024 at an average price of GBP 20,273 (USD 26,036). It sold at Sotheby’s in New-York on 22 October 2024 for its highest price of 2024 of USD 33,600 (GBP 26,250).

Morons (unsigned) sold 3 times at auction in 2023 at an average price of GBP 24,160 (USD 29,840). It sold at Sotheby’s online on 20 April 2023 for GBP 25,400 (USD 31,169), its highest price for 2023.

Morons (unsigned) sold 5 times at auction in 2022 at an average price of GBP 31,857 (USD 40,033). It sold at Phillips in New-York on 21 April 2022 for USD 50,400, its highest price for 2022.

Morons (unsigned) sold 4 times at auction in 2021 at an average price of GBP 44,898 (USD 62,289). It sold at Forum Auctions on 2 September 2021 for GBP 48,240 (USD 67,054), its world auction record.

2025 Auction Results

Phillips London: 23 January 2025
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 24,130 / USD 29,810

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 paper
Numbered 445/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2024 Auction Results

Morons (unsigned) sold 4 times at auction in 2024 at an average price of GBP 20,273 (USD 26,036). It sold at Sotheby’s in New-York on 22 October 2024 for its highest price of 2024 of USD 33,600 (GBP 26,250).

Tate Ward Auctions: 11 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 15,000 / USD 19,500

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches paper
Numbered 44/500 in pencil

Sotheby’s New-York: 22 October 2024
Estimated: USD 18,000 – 24,000
USD 33,600

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 357/500 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Tate Ward: 18 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 13,000 – 15,000
GBP 16,800 / USD 21,823

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screen print in colors on Arches paper
Numbered from an edition of 500 in pencil

Bonhams online: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 23,040 / USD 29,220
BANKSY (born 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors
Numbered 284/500 in pencil

2023 Auction Results

Morons (unsigned) sold 3 times at auction in 2023 at an average price of GBP 24,160 (USD 29,840). It sold at Sotheby’s online on 20 April 2023 for GBP 25,400 (USD 31,169), its highest price for 2023.

2023 Auction Results

Sotheby’s London: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 24,130 / USD 29,351

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered in pencil 308/500

Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 25,400 / USD 31,619
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR MORONS (UNSIGNED) IN 2023

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 161/500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Bonhams London: 19 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 22,950 / USD 28,551

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 346/500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

2022 Auction Results

Morons (unsigned) sold 5 times at auction in 2022 at an average price of GBP 31,857 (USD 40,033). It sold at Phillips in New-York on 21 April 2022 for USD 50,400, its highest price for 2022.

2022 Auction Results

 

Bonhams London: 7 December 2022
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 25,500 / USD 31,093

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 346/500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Heritage Auctions: 28 November 2022
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 35,000

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 paper
Numbered 427/500 in pencil lower left, with publisher’s stamp

Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 30,240 / USD 36,288

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 393/500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Phillips New-York: 21 April 2022
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 50,400
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR MORONS (UNSIGNED) IN 2022

BANKSY
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 paper
Numbered 218/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2021 Auction Results

Morons (unsigned) sold 4 times at auction in 2021 at an average price of GBP 44,898 (USD 62,289). It sold at Forum Auctions on 2 September 2021 for GBP 48,240 (USD 67,054), its world auction record.

2021 Auction Results

 

Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 47,880 / USD 66,553

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 304/500, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 2 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 28,000 – 35,000
GBP 48,240 / USD 67,054
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR MORONS (UNSIGNED)

BANKSY (b.1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp at lower left

Heritage Auctions: 22 April 2021
Estimated: USD 35,000 – 45,000
USD 50,000

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 paper
Numbered 341/500  in pencil lower left, with publisher’s stamp

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

BANKSY (B. 1974)
Morons (White) (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 194/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2. Morons (signed)

Morons (signed) has sold once at auction in 2024, at Sotheby’s online, on 26 September 2024, for GBP 33,600 (USD 44,722).

Morons (signed) sold once at auction in 2023, at Forum Auctions, on 24 May 2023 for GBP 43,550 (USD 53,858).

Morons (signed) sold 3 times at auction in 2022 at an average price of GBP 76,867 (USD 96,115). It sold at Sotheby’s online, on 26 April 2022, for GBP 81,900 (USD 103,194), its highest price for 2022.

Morons (signed) sold 4 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 344,187 (USD 471,640)  at an average price of GBP 86,047 (USD 117,910). It sold at International Art Center, in New Zealand, on 30 March 2021, for NZD 255,860 (USD 180,070), its world auction record.

2025 Auction Results

Sotheby’s New-York: 28 February 2025
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 38,100

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 wove paper
Signed in pencil and dated 07 (lower right)
Numbered 97/150 (lower left) with the publisher’s blindstamp

2024 Auction Results

Morons (signed) has sold once at auction in 2024, at Sotheby’s online, on 26 September 2024, for GBP 33,600 (USD 44,722).

Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 33,600 / USD 44,722

BANKSY (b.1974)
Morons (signed), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 55/150 with the publisher’s blindstamp

2023 Auction Results

Morons (signed) sold once at auction in 2023, at Forum Auctions, on 24 May 2023 for GBP 43,550 (USD 53,858).

Forum Auctions: 24 May 2023
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 32,500 (HAMMER)
GBP 43,550 / USD 53,858

BANKSY
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, with the printed signature circled by the artist
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 150

2022 Auction Results

Morons (signed) sold 3 times at auction in 2022 at an average price of GBP 76,867 (USD 96,115). It sold at Sotheby’s online, on 26 April 2022, for GBP 81,900 (USD 103,194), its highest price for 2022.

Sotheby’s online, 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 81,900 / USD 103,194
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR MORONS (SIGNED) IN 2022

BANKSY
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil within the image
Numbered 142/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s New-York, 21 April 2022
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 94,500

BANKSY
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 97/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

 

2021 Auction Results

Morons (signed) sold 4 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 344,187 (USD 471,640)  at an average price of GBP 86,047 (USD 117,910). It sold at International Art Center, in New Zealand, on 30 March 2021, for NZD 255,860 (USD 180,070), its world auction record.

 

Tate Ward Auctions: 7 December 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 50,000
GBP 65,000 / USD 87,100

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches paper
Signed, dated and numbered from an edition of 150 in pencil

Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 75,000 / USD 103,500

BANKSY (B. 1974)
Morons (White) (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 103/150, with the publisher’s blindstamp

International Art Center: 30 March 2021
Estimated: NZD 100,000 – 150,000
NZD 213,000 (HAMMER)
NZD 255,860 / USD 180,070 / GBP 130,490
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR MORONS (SIGNED)

BANKSY
Morons (Black and white) (signed), 2007
Screenprint on wove paper
Signed and numbered 101/150

Forum Auctions: 27 January 2021
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 73,700 / USD 100,969

BANKSY (b.1974)
Morons (signed), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered from the edition of 150 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

3. Morons (LA Edition)

Morons (LA Edition) sold once in 2024, and twice at auction in 2023.

Christie’s online: 1 April 2025
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 20,160 / USD 26,047

BANKSY
Morons (LA Edition) (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 105/500 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)

LA Modern: 10 October 2024
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 20,000
USD 20,160

BANKSY (b.1975)
Morons (LA Edition) (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88
Numbered to lower edge ‘111/500’ with the publisher’s blindstamp

LA Modern: 7 September 2023
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 17,640

BANKSY
Morons (LA Edition), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88
Numbered to lower right ‘105/500’
This work is number 105 from the edition of 500 published by Modern Multiples Fine Art Editions, Los Angeles

Christie’s online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 22,680 / USD 27,896

BANKSY
Morons (LA Edition), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 76/500 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)

Christie’s online: 21 July 2022
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 52,920

BANKSY
Morons (LA Edition), 2006-2007
Screenprint in colors, on Arches 88 paper
Signed, dated and numbered ’32/150 BANKSY 06′ in pencil

Sotheby’s New-York: 18 December 2020
Estimated: USD 12,000 – 18,000
USD 107,100

WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR MORONS (LA EDITION)

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons( LA Edition), 2006
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 120/500

4. Morons (Sepia)

Morons (Sepia) sold twice at auction in 2024, at Christie’s online on 26 March 2024 for GBP 56,700 (USD 71,909), and at Bonhams in Los Angeles on 26 March 2024 for USD 35,840.

Morons (Sepia) only sold once at auction in 2023, at Christie’s online on 26 September 2023 for GBP 44,100 (USD 53,892).

Morons (Sepia) sold 4 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 334,973 (USD 417,523) at an average price of GBP 83,743 (USD 104,381). It sold for its highest price in 2022 of GBP 100,800 (USD 120,960) at Sotheby’s online on 17 August 2022.

Morons (Sepia) sold 4 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 343,635 (USD 477,653) at an average price of GBP 85,909 (USD 119,413). It sold for its highest price in 2021, and world auction record, of GBP 107,800 (USD 148,869) at Sotheby’s online on 17 September 2021.

Morons (Sepia) sold 11 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 596,178 (USD 786,419) at an average price of GBP 54,198 (USD 71,493). It sold for its highest price in 2020 at Forum Auctions on 7 December 2020 for GBP 103,180 (USD 136,198).

2024 Auction Results

Morons (Sepia) sold 3 times at auction in 2024, at Christie’s online on 26 March 2024 for GBP 56,700 (USD 71,909), at Bonhams in Los Angeles on 26 March 2024 for USD 35,840, and at Sotheby’s online on 26 September 2024 for GBP 36,000 (USD 47,916).

Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 36,000 / USD 47,916

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 86/300, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Christie’s online: 26 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 55,000
GBP 56,700 / USD 71,909

BANKSY
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed and numbered 273/300 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

Bonhams LA: 26 March 2024
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 35,840 / GBP 45,454

BANKSY (born 1974)
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 45/300, with the blindstamp of the publisher

2023 Auction Results

Morons (Sepia) only sold once at auction in 2023, at Christie’s online on 26 September 2023 for GBP 44,100 (USD 53,892).

Christie’s online: 28 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 44,100 / USD 53,892

BANKSY
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed and numbered 142/300 in pencil

2022 Auction Results

Morons (Sepia) sold 4 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 334,973 (USD 417,523) at an average price of GBP 83,743 (USD 104,381). It sold for its highest price in 2022 of GBP 100,800 (USD 120,960) at Sotheby’s online on 17 August 2022.


Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 100,800 / USD 120,960
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR MORONS (SEPIA) IN 2022

BANKSY
Morons Sepia, 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil
Numbered 220/300 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Christie’s online: 15 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 81,900 / USD 108,108
BANKSY
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
A print aside from the numbered edition of 300
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed with an M in a circle, a peace sign, and a heart in pencil, lower left

2021 Auction Results

Morons (Sepia) sold 4 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 343,635 (USD 477,653) at an average price of GBP 85,909 (USD 119,413). It sold for its highest price in 2021, and world auction record, of GBP 107,800 (USD 148,9869) at Sotheby’s online on 17 September 2021.

 

 

Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 107,100 / USD 148,869
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR MORONS (SEPIA)

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons Sepia, 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated, numbered 39/300, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Tate Ward Auctions: 24 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 50,000
GBP 80,000 / USD 111,200

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered from an edition of 300

Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 50,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 105,084

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated, numbered 175/300, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Heritage Auctions: 10 February 2021
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 70,000
USD 112,500

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Morons (Sepia), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Somerset paper
Signed, numbered 141/300, and dated in pencil along lower edge

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