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No Ball Games, 2009

BY

No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Edition: 250 signed

No Ball Games portrays two children playing outside with what appear to be a sign that reads, “NO BALL GAMES” as if it were a ball itself. The image, portrayed in Banksy’s iconic stencil-style, is obviously rich with irony. This monochromatic print (except for the red of the sign) is making a social comment on how even basic children’s activities seem to be now controlled and regulated, thus maybe even encouraging children (and adults) to break rules.

 

No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Edition: 250 signed
The irony of No Ball Games critiques the rules that Banksy believes restrict society on a daily basis. Banksy mocks overprotective governments, or “nanny states,” interfering with personal choice, implying that even innocent, everyday children’s activities like playing ball outside are controlled by the state.
Obviously, the children should be taken more widely as symbols for people in general, constantly under surveillance and regulation by a higher authority against the artist warns us.
 
This print is a great example of Banksy’s frequent use of children as symbols of innocence, purity, and a sense of freedom, to formulate subversive social critique, much like in his other prints such as Police Kids, Girl with Balloon or NOLA.
No Ball Games first appeared on canvas in 2006 at Barely Legal which took place in the area known as Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. However, in this first version, kids are playing with a TV displaying an image of a ball.

Three years later, Banksy reproduced the piece as a spray-painted mural in Tottenham in North London, on a shop wall at the junction between Tottenham High Road and Philip Lane.

 

2009 was a turning point for Banksy as he parted ways from long-term gallery Steve Lazarides, and announced a new entity called Pest Control Office would be the unique point of sale for Banksy artworks going forward. No Ball Games (Grey) was sold by Pictures on Walls, at their Commercial Street Gallery in London. No Ball Games (Green)was only sold via online lottery.
In 2013, the mural in Tottenham was removed from the wall and divided into three parts and sold to benefit disadvantaged children.

DESCRIPTION

No Ball Games

Year: 2009
Medium: Screen-print in colors on Arches wove paper
Size: 67×70 cm (26 3/8 x 27 1/2 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls

Editions

No Ball Games (Grey): 250 signed
No Ball Games (Green): 250 signed

Numbering and Signature

Signed in Grey/Green crayon, lower right

Numbered 250 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

 

AUCTION RESULTS

1. NBG (Grey)

No Ball Games (Grey) has not sold at auction in 2024.

No Ball Games (Grey) sold 3 times at auction in 2023 at an average price of GBP 41,371 (USD 50,839). It sold for its highest price of 2023 at Forum Auctions, on 28 February 2023 for GBP 44,220 (USD 54,391).

No Ball Games (Grey) sold 4 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 222,078 (USD 277,655) at an average price of GBP 55,519 (USD 69,414). It sold at Christie’s online on 15 March 2022 for GBP 75,600 (USD 99,792), its highest price paid in 2022.

No Ball Games (Grey) sold 6 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 451,160 (USD 624,630) at an average price of GBP 75,193 (USD 104,105). It sold at Forum Auctions on 5 March 2021 for GBP 100,500 (USD 137,685), its highest price paid in 2021, and its world auction record.

2023 Auction Results

No Ball Games (Grey) sold 3 times at auction in 2023 at an average price of GBP 41,371 (USD 50,839). It sold for its highest price of 2023 at Forum Auctions, on 28 February 2023 for GBP 44,220 (USD 54,391).


Koller Zurich: 30 November 2023
Estimated: CHF 35,000 – 45,000
CHF 47,500 / USD 53,675

BANKSY (Bristol 1974–lives and works in England)
No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Color screenprint on wove paper
Edition 233/250
Signed in pencil lower right: Banksy

Phillips New-York: 21 June 2023
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 40,000
USD 44,450

BANKSY
No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 64/250 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Forum Auctions: 28 February 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 44,220 / USD 54,391
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR NO BALL GAMES (GREY) IN 2023

BANKSY (b. 1974)
No Ball Games (Grey) (Signed), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered from the edition of 250

2022 Auction Results

No Ball Games (Grey) sold 4 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 222,078 (USD 277,655) at an average price of GBP 55,519 (USD 69,414). It sold at Christie’s online on 15 March 2022 for GBP 75,600 (USD 99,792), its highest price paid in 2022.

Forum Auctions: 8 November 2022
Estimated: GBP 38,000 – 48,000
GBP 54,940 / USD 63,683

BANKSY (b.1974)
No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered from the edition of 250 in pencil,  with the publisher’s blindstamp

Heritage Auctions: 28 July 2022
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 47,500

BANKSY (b. 1974)
No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered 146/250 in pencil along lower edge

Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 52,920 / USD 66,679

BANKSY
No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in grey crayon, lower right
Numbered 155/250 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Christie’s online: 15 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 99,692
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR NO BALL GAMES (GREY) IN 2022

BANKSY
No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in grey crayon, lower right
Numbered 60/250 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

2021 Auction Results

No Ball Games (Grey) sold 6 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 451,160 (USD 624,630) at an average price of GBP 75,193 (USD 104,105). It sold at Forum Auctions on 5 March 2021 for GBP 100,500 (USD 137,685), its highest price paid in 2021, and its world auction record.

Tate Ward Auctions: 29 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 50,000
GBP 67,500 / USD 93,825BANKSY (British 1974-)
No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered from an edition of 250 in pencil
Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 88,200 / USD 122,598

BANKSY (b. 1974)
No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 142/250, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 2 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 45,000 – 60,000
GBP 61,640 / USD 85,680
BANKSY (b.1974)
No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered from the edition of 250 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 5 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 75,000 – 100,000
GBP 100,500 / USD 137,685
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR NO BALL GAMES (GREY)

BANKSY (b.1974)
No Ball Games (Grey), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered from the edition of 250 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

2. NBG (Green)

No Ball Games (Green) sold once at auction in 2024, at Forum Auctions, on 4 December 2024, for GBP 34,840 (USD 45,820).

No Ball Games (Green) sold twice at auction in 2023, at Artnet Auctions on 31 August 2023 for USD 52,500, and at Forum Auctions on 31 January 2023 for GBP 37,520 (USD 46,150).

No Ball Games (Green) sold 5 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 335,832 (USD 431,187) at an average price of GBP 67,166 (USD 86,237). It sold at Forum Auctions on 3 February 2022 for GBP 85,760 (USD 117,491), its highest price paid in 2022.

No Ball Games (Green) sold 3 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 226,666 (USD 312,041) at an average price of GBP 75,555 (USD 104,014). It sold at Forum Auctions on 25 April 2021 for GBP 83,080 (USD 115,481), its highest price paid in 2021.

The highest price ever paid at auction for No Ball Games (Green) was achieved at Phillips in Hong-Kong on 4 December 2020, when it sold for HKD 1,134,000 (USD 146,000 / GBP 108,955).

2025 Auction Results

Sotheby’s New-York: 15 April 2025
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 38,100

BANKSY (b. 1974)
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in green crayon and numbered in pencil 177/250 with the publisher’s blindstamp

2024 Auction Results

No Ball Games (Green) sold once at auction in 2024, at Forum Auctions, on 4 December 2024, for GBP 34,840 (USD 45,820).

Forum Auctions: 4 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
Hammer: GBP 26,000
GBP 34,840 / USD 45,820

BANKSY (b.1974)
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in green crayon
Numbered from the edition of 250 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2023 Auction Results

No Ball Games (Green) sold twice at auction in 2023, at Artnet Auctions on 31 August 2023 for USD 52,500, and at Forum Auctions on 31 January 2023 for GBP 37,520 (USD 46,150).

Arnet Auctions: 31 August 2023
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 52,500

BANKSY
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered AP/08 in pencil
Artist’s Proof 8/28 aside from the edition of 250

Forum Auctions: 31 January 2023
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
Hammer: GBP 28,000
GBP 37,520/ USD 46,150

BANKSY
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in green crayon, lower right
Numbered XXX/250 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

2022 Auction Results

No Ball Games (Green) sold 5 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 335,832 (USD 431,187) at an average price of GBP 67,166 (USD 86,237). It sold at Forum Auctions on 3 February 2022 for GBP 85,760 (USD 117,491), its highest price paid in 2022.

 

International Art Center: 28 November 2022
Estimated: NZD 125,000 – 165,000
NZD 150,000 / USD 93,000 / GBP 76,230

BANKSY
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in green crayon, lower right
Numbered 81/250 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 50,400 / USD 60,480

BANKSY
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in green crayon, lower right
Numbered 15/250 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Forum Auctions: 3 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 55,000 – 70,000
GBP 67,000 / USD 91,120
BANKSY
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in green crayon, lower right
Numbered XXX/250 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
Forum Auctions: 3 February 2022
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 80,000
GBP 85,760 / USD 117,491
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR NO BALL GAMES (GREEN) IN 2022
BANKSY (b.1974)
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in green crayon, numbered from the edition of 250 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

2021 Auction Results

No Ball Games (Green) sold 3 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 226,666 (USD 312,041) at an average price of GBP 75,555 (USD 104,014). It sold at Forum Auctions on 25 April 2021 for GBP 83,080 (USD 115,481), its highest price paid in 2021.

Sotheby’s London: 10 November 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 102,060
BANKSY (b. 1974)
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors
Signed and numbered 50/250 

Forum Auctions: 23 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 75,000 – 100,000
GBP 83,080 / USD 115,481
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR NO BALL GAMES (GREEN) IN 2021

BANKSY (b.1974)
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors
Signed in green pencil, numbered from the edition of 250 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Phillips New-York: 20 April 2021
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 94,500

BANKSY
No Ball Games (Green), 2009
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in green pencil and numbered 212/250 in pencil

 

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