‘Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better-looking place’
Read Police, Cops, and Coppers
DESCRIPTION
Rude Copper
Year: 2002
Medium: Screen-print on wove paper
Size: 59×42 cm (23 x 16 1/2 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
Editions
Numbering and Signature
RUDE COPPER (ANARCHY)
Rude Copper (Anarchy Black)
Rude Copper (Anarchy Yellow)
RELEASE HISTORY
Rude Copper is considered to be the first of Banksy’s commercial prints. Intended to be a run of 100 prints, it was changed to 250 at last minute. Some were hand-finished with unique spray painting, some others were tagged with the “Anarchy” sign, many extras were printed, and around 50 were signed. It was released on two different types of paper.
Rude Copper was first sold and produced with Steve Lazarides, who was Banksy‘s agent at that time. Since he had no gallery space, he was selling the prints from the boot of his car. Release price was GBP 40.
AUCTION RESULTS
Updated as of 15 March 2023
1. Rude Copper (unsigned)
Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 25,000
GBP 22,860 / USD 28,457
BANKSY
Rude Copper (unsigned), 2002
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 58/250 in pencil lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower right
Rude Copper (unsigned), 2002
Numbered 156/250 in blue pen, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower right
Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
GBP 40,320 / USD 50,803
Rude Copper (unsigned), 2002
Numbered XXX/250 in blue pen, lower right
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower right
Roseberys London: 8 March 2022
GBP 34,840 / USD 47,382
2. Rude Copper (signed)
Rude Copper (signed) rarely sells at auction, as Banksy only signed approximately 50 from the main edition. It last sold at Bonhams London on 15 October 2021.
Signed in black pen, lower right
Numbered 12 in black pen, lower right
Bonhams London: 15 October 2021
GBP 112,750 / USD 155,049
3. Rude Copper (Hand-Finished)
Phillips London: 13 July 2023
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 60,890 / USD 79,821
BANKSY
Rude Copper, 2003
Screen-print with unique spray paint on paper
Rude Copper (Hand-Finished), with unique spray-paint in red
Digard Auctions: 10 May 2022
EUR 182,000 / GBP 158,340
Rude Copper (Hand-Finished), with unique spray-paint in orange
Artnet Auctions: 24 November 2020
USD 215,820 / GBP 160,000
Rude Copper (Hand-Finished), 2002
Screen-print with unique spray-paint in red
Stamped with the BANKSY tag in red ink, lower right
Digard Auctions: 10 May 2022
EUR 182,000 / GBP 158,340