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Trolleys, 2006-2007

BY

Trolleys (Color), 2007
Edition: 750 signed

‘We can’t do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves.’


Trolley Hunters is the perfect incarnation of Banksy’s distinctive marriage of street art, graffiti and satire. Featuring three prehistoric men in a desert, the atmosphere of Trolley Hunters is both eerie and lighthearted. Holding various weapons, the three men pictured are poised to attack. The targets of their attack are, in typical Banksy fashion, trolleys – or shopping carts. The poignancy of the resulting work is twofold; firstly in its timeless critique of capitalism, and secondly in its unique and unexpected resonance today. With Trolleys, Banksy offers the viewer a provoking satire about the impact of consumerism on the ability of modern men to provide for themselves. Trolleys cleverly mocks contemporary society by suggesting that, isolated in cities, with no way of growing or catching our own food, we depend on the products offered by giant supermarkets to survive. 
Trolleys (White), 2006
Edition: 150 signed, 500 unsigned
This artwork also illustrates the hunters’ lack of common sense as, instead of searching for edible goods, they are targeting the empty symbol of consumerism. The men holding weapons also suggest to the viewer that these primitive folks might compete violently with one another for food as they might in the stereotypical, post-apocalyptic scene at the supermarket in any Hollywood film about the end of society. Or, more typically, the scenes of people rushing through the doors of major retail stores for Black Friday.
Banksy used the trolley at various occasions, including in the iconic mural Shop Till You Drop he realized in London in 2011.

 

Trolley Hunters, 2006
Oil and emulsion on canvas
137×214 cm (53 7/8 x 84 1/4 inches)
Sotheby’s New-York, 18 November 2021
USD 6,698,400

The trolley, comic in its incongruity, nods to our consumer society’s predilection for, and reliance on, highly processed, branded packaged food products, and our inability to fend for ourselves. Grouped like antelope in a field, the barren nature of the landscape in which we find these alien carts nods to our willingness to ship foods and other commodities all over the planet to be picked up whenever convenient by the consumer in the aisles of big chain supermarkets. With sardonic wit, Banksy juxtaposes his trolleys with a trio of Neanderthal hunter-gatherers, thereby shining a critical light on how far we as human beings have deviated from our base instincts, and abilities.


RELEASE HISTORY

Trolleys was first released in 2006 by Modern Multiples of Los Angeles as an edition of 500 unsigned white prints (of which only 100 were printed and went on sale) to mark the opening of Banksy’s iconic Barely Legal, in Los Angeles, in October 2006. Trolleys is part of Banksy’s Barely Legal Set, a series of six prints: Trolleys, Applause, Festival, Sale Ends, Morons and Grannies, each of which was sold for $500 a piece.
In 2007, Trolleys was re-released by Pictures on Walls in three different formats: 750 signed prints in color (blue and yellow), 500 unsigned (black and white), and 150 signed (black and white). The original of Trolleys is a large scale work on canvas that was exhibited for the first time at Barely Legal.
Trolleys original, exhibited at Barely Legal, Los Angeles, 2006
The edition of 500 unsigned prints of Trolleys (White) is split between 400 released through Pictures on Walls, and the slight variant of 100 printed by Modern Multiples and sold at the Barely Legal exhibition in LA. The LA Edition differs slightly to the later UK release, as it was printed on a cream-colored paper, and one of the hunters possesses a different weapon.

 

Trolleys (Bethlehem Edition)

Trolleys (Bethlehem Edition), 2007
Edition: 28 signed

Trolleys (Bethlehem Edition) is a special edition of 28 signed prints printed on end paper, the packaging that the proper art paper comes in (“sort of like when the kids play with the box instead of the toy.”) It was released at Banksy’s Santa’s Ghetto show in Bethlehem in December 2007 and was only available to those who visited the exhibition.

DESCRIPTION

Trolleys, Trolley Hunters

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

Editions

Trolleys: 150 signed, 500 unsigned
Trolleys (Color): 750 signed
Trolleys (LA Edition): 100 unsigned, 6 signed Printer’s Proofs (PP)
Trolleys (Bethlehem Edition): 28 signed

AUCTION RESULTS

1. Trolleys (color)

Trolleys (color) sold 6 times at auction in 2024 at an average price of GBP 28,617 (USD 36,775). It sold for its highest price of USD 54,000 (GBP 42,510)  at Sotheby’s in New-York on 16 July 2024.

Trolleys (color) sold only once at auction in 2023, at Sotheby’s in New-York, on 24 October 2023 for USD 35,560.

Trolleys (color) sold twice at auction in 2022, at Phillips in London on 15 June 2022 for GBP 35,280 (USD 43,394), and at Sotheby’s online, on 26 April 2022 for GBP 40,280 (USD 50,803).

Trolleys (color) sold 10 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 489,976 at an average price of GBP 48,898. It sold for its highest price of GBP 69,300 (USD 96,330) at Sotheby’s in London on 17 September 2021.

Trolleys (color) sold 12 times at auction in 2020 for a total turnover of GBP 624,576 (USD 819,235) at an average price of GBP 52,048 (USD 68,270). It reached its highest price at Phillips in Hong-Kong on 4 December 2020, when it sold for HKD 1,008,000 (GBP 97,140 / USD 130,060).

2025 Auction Results

Phillips Hong-Kong: 28 March 2025
Estimated: HKD 150,000 – 250,000
HKD 190,500 / USD 24,486

BANKSY
Trolleys (color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches paper
Signed and numbered 435/750 in pencil

Tate Ward Auctions: 19 March 2025
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 24,000
GBP 22,500 / USD 29,005

BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Trolleys (Color)’, 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches
Signed and numbered from an edition of 750 in pencil

2024 Auction Results

Trolleys (color) sold 6 times at auction in 2024 at an average price of GBP 28,617 (USD 36,775). It sold for its highest price of USD 54,000 (GBP 42,510)  at Sotheby’s in New-York on 16 July 2024.

Bonhams London: 10 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 25,000
GBP 25,600 / USD 33,280

BANKSY (British, born 1974)
Trolleys (Color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and numbered 158/750 in pencil

Forum Auctions: 4 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 25,000
Hammer: GBP 17,500
GBP 23,450 / USD 30,440

BANKSY (b.1974)
Trolleys (color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches paper
Signed in pencil, numbered from the edition of 750 with the publisher’s blindstamp

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

BANKSY
Trolleys (Color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and numbered 693/750 in pencil with the artist’s blindstamp

Phillips London: 19 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 21,590 / USD 28,045

BANKSY
Trolleys (color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches paper
Sheet: 57 x 76.2 cm (22 1/2 x 30 inches)
Signed and numbered 373/750 in pencil

Sotheby’s New-York: 16 July 2024
Estimated: USD 25,000 – 35,000
USD 54,000

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Trolleys (Color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil (lower right)
Numbered 360/750 (lower left) with the publisher’s blindstamp

Bonhams London: 1 May 2024
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 37,120 / USD 46,400
BANKSY (British, born 1974)
Trolleys (Color) AP, 2007
Screenprint in colors with hand-coloring in yellow on the trolley handles on Arches wove paper
Signed and inscribed ‘AP ☮︎ ♡ J’ in pencil
An artist’s proof aside from the numbered edition of 750 (with screen-printed orange handles)

2023 Auction Results

Trolleys (color) sold only once at auction in 2023, at Sotheby’s in New-York, on 24 October 2023 for USD 35,560.

Sotheby’s New-York: 24 October 2023
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 35,560

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Trolleys (Color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil and numbered 462/750

2022 Auction Results

Trolleys (color) sold twice at auction in 2022, at Phillips in London on 15 June 2022 for GBP 35,280 (USD 43,394), and at Sotheby’s online, on 26 April 2022 for GBP 40,280 (USD 50,803).

Phillips London: 15 June 2022
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 35,280 / USD 43,394

BANKSY
Trolleys (color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 629/750 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Sotheby’s online, 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 40,820 / USD 50,803

BANKSY
Trolleys (Color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 496/750 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

2021 Auction Results

Trolleys (color) sold 10 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 489,976 (USD 679,673) at an average price of GBP 48,898 (USD 67,967). It sold for its highest price in 2021 of GBP 69,300 (USD 96,330) at Sotheby’s in London on 17 September 2021.

2021 Auction Results

 

 

Bonhams London: 16 December 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 40,250 / USD 54,338

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Trolleys (color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered 350/750 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp


Bonhams London: 11 November 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 44,000 / USD 59,400

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Trolleys (color), 2007
Screenprint in colors
Signed and numbered 516/750 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp
Sotheby’s London: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 69,300 / USD 96,330
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR TROLLEYS (COLOR) AT AUCTION IN 2021

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Trolleys Color, 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 465/750, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s Hong-Kong: 20 April 2021
Estimated: HKD 250,000 – 450,000

HKD 478,800 / USD 61,700 / GBP 44,388 

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Trolleys (Color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Numbered 623/750 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left


Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 52,500 / USD 72,450

BANKSY (B. 1974)
Trolleys (Color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 41/750

2020 Auction Results

Trolleys (color) sold 12 times at auction in 2020 for a total turnover of GBP 624,576 (USD 819,235) at an average price of GBP 52,048 (USD 68,270). It reached its highest price at Phillips in Hong-Kong on 4 December 2020, when it sold for HKD 1,008,000 (GBP 97,140 / USD 130,060).

2020 Auction Results

 

Phillips Hong-Kong: 4 December 2020
Estimated: HKD 200,000 – 300,000
HKD 1,008,000 / USD 130,060
WORLD AUCTION RECORD 

BANKSY
Trolleys (color), 2007
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed ‘BANKSY’ lower right; numbered ’89/750′ lower left

2. Trolleys (unsigned)

Trolleys (unsigned) sold 3 times at auction in 2024. It last sold at Christie’s online on 1 October 2024 for GBP 12,600 (USD 16,758).

Trolleys (unsigned) did not sell at auction in 2023, and sold only once at auction in 2022.

 

2025 Auction Results

Bukowskis: 15 April 2025
Estimated: SEK 125,000 – 150,000
SEK 190,000 (Hammer)
SEK 237,500 / USD 24,225

BANKSY (England)
“Trolleys” (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint
Numbered in pencil 211/500 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Tate Ward Auctions: 19 March 2025
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 12,000
GBP 12,500 / USD 16,115

BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Trolleys (Black & White)’ (unsigned), 2007
Two-color screenprint on Arches paper
Numbered from an edition of 500 in pencil

2024 Auction Results

Trolleys (unsigned) sold 3 times at auction in 2024. It last sold at Christie’s online on 1 October 2024 for GBP 12,600 (USD 16,758).

Christie’s online: 1 October 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 12,600 / USD 16,758

BANKSY
Trolleys (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 403/500 (there was also a signed edition of 150) with the publisher’s and the artist’s blindstamps

Bonhams online: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 15,360 / USD 19,480

BANKSY (born 1974)
Trolleys (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors
Numbered 155/500 in pencil

Forum Auctions: 30 January 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 9,500 / USD 12,048 (HAMMER)
GBP 12,730 / USD 16,145

BANKSY (b.1974)
Trolleys (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint in colors on Arches paper
Numbered from the edition of 500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2021 Auction Results

Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000

GBP 35,000 / USD 48,300

BANKSY (b.1974)
Trolleys (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches paper
Numbered 195/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

 

SBI Art Auction: 30 January 2021
Estimated: JPY 2,500,000 – 3,500,000
JPY 9,545,000 / USD 91,175

BANKSY
Trolleys (unsigned), 2007
Screenprint
Numbered and embossed on the lower right
From the edition of 500

3. Trolleys (LA Edition)

Bonhams London: 21 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 25,000
GBP 12,750

BANKSY
Trolleys (LA Edition), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 113/500 in pencil, lower right
The total edition was 500, only approx. 100 unsigned prints were ever printed

Sotheby’s online: 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 27,720 / USD 34,925

BANKSY
Trolleys (LA Edition), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 62/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Artnet Auctions: 7 April 2021
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000

USD 57,600 / GBP 41,439

BANKSY
Trolleys (LA Edition), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 51/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

 

4. Trolleys (signed)

Trolleys (signed) did not sell at auction in 2023. It sold twice at auction in 2022, including at SBI Art Auction in Japan on 28 May 2022 for USD 51,564.

Artcurial: 28 June 2022
Estimated: EUR 55,000 – 70,000
GBP 58,687 / USD 72,185
BANKSY
Trolleys (signed), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed in pink crayon, within the design, lower right
Numbered 51/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

SBI Art Auction Tokyo: 28 May 2022
Estimated: JPY 4,000,000 – 7,000,000
JPY 6,555,000 / USD 51,600

BANKSY
Trolleys (Black & White) (signed), 2006
Screenprint
Signed, dated, numbered and embossed on the lower right
From the edition of 150

Tate Ward Auctions: 7 December 2021
GBP 50,000 / USD 67,000

BANKSY
Trolleys (signed), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in orange, lower right
Numbered 77/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

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