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Very Little Helps, 2008

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Very Little Helps, 2008
Edition: 299 signed
 
Very Little Helps, also known as Tesco Flag, or Tesco Kids, shows a group of children surrounding a flagpole. Instead of raising a flag, one of them is raising a Tesco branded plastic bag while the other two are pledging their allegiance with their hands on their hearts, against a serene blue background. A clear reference to Tesco’s famous slogan “Every little helps” Banksy denounces the presence of the supermarket chain on almost every high street in Britain and, in some ways, its forcing out of diversity and independence.

The original on canvas of Very Little Helps, entitled Pledge Allegiance to the Flag, sold at Sotheby’s in London on 15 October 2010 for GBP 82,850.

Pledge Allegiance To The Flag, 2008
Oil on canvas
76.2×61 cm (30×24 inches)
Obviously, the flag also illustrates the theory that some corporations have become so large and omnipresent in our everyday lives that they are as powerful as nation states. In its critique of Tesco, this work joins previous prints such as Soup Can which focuses on the ‘Tesco value’ range of soups. At the same time, paying homage to Warhol‘s iconic Campbell Soup, Banksy makes a statement on the latent poverty of the working class in the UK, as well as on the uniformization of consumer’s products.
Very Little Helps first appeared in 2008 on a mural located on the side of a pharmacy on Essex Road in North London. The mural soon became the subject of public and media speculation and, sadly, was subsequently vandalized provoking further discussion on the distinctions between street art and graffiti. 
Today it remains partially damaged with the Tesco flag painted over and replaced with a tag from rival UK street artist King Robbo. Later, Banksy released Very Little Helps as a series of only 299 signed prints.

DESCRIPTION

Very Little Helps

Year: 2008
Medium: Screen-print in colors on Arches wove paper
Size: 76×56 cm (30×22 inches)
Publisher: Pictures on Walls

Editions

Edition: 299 signed

Numbering and Signature

Signed in blue crayon, lower right
Numbered /299 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

AUCTION RESULTS

Very Little Helps did not sell at auction in 2024.

Very Little Helps has sold once at auction in 2023, at SBI Art Auction, on 15 July 2023, for JPY 5,750,000 (USD 41,655).

Very Little Helps sold 5 times in 2022, for a total turnover of GBP 241,069 (USD 299,653), at an average price of GBP 48,214 (USD 59,931). It sold for GBP 63,000 (USD 83,160), its highest price of 2022, at Christie’s online on 15 March 2022.

Very Little Helps sold 8 times at auction in 2021, for a total turnover of GBP 578,836 (USD 798,689), at an average price of GBP 72,355 (USD 99,836). It sold for GBP 93,750 (USD 129,375), its world auction record, at Christie’s online on 1 April 2021.

2025 Auction Results

Forum Auctions: 5 March 2025
Estimated: GBP 22,000 – 28,000
GBP 20,000 (Hammer)
GBP 26,240 / USD 33,825

BANKSY (b.1974)
Very Little Helps (signed), 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in blue crayon, numbered from the edition of 299 in pencil

2023 Auction Results

Very Little Helps has sold once at auction in 2023, at SBI Art Auction, on 15 July 2023, for JPY 5,750,000 (USD 41,655).

SBI Art Auction: 15 July 2023
Estimated: JPY 3,000,000 – 5,000,000
JPY 5,750,000 / USD 41,655

BANKSY
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint
Signed and numbered on the lower part
From the edition of 299

 

2022 Auction Results

Very Little Helps sold 5 times at auction  in 2022, for a total turnover of GBP 241,069 (USD 299,653), at an average price of GBP 48,214 (USD 59,931). It sold for GBP 63,000 (USD 83,160), its highest price of 2022, at Christie’s online on 15 March 2022.

 

 

Forum Auctions: 15 June 2022
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 50,000
GBP 49,580 / USD 60,983

BANKSY (b.1974)
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in blue crayon, numbered from the edition of 299 in pencil

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

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in blue pencil, numbered 271/299

Christie’s online: 15 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 63,000 / USD 83,160
HIGHEST PRICE PAID AT AUCTION FOR VERY LITTLE HELPS IN 2022

BANKSY
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in blue crayon, numbered 224/299 in pencil

2021 Auction Results

Very Little Helps sold 8 times at auction in 2021, for a total turnover of GBP 578,836 (USD 798,689), at an average price of GBP 72,355 (USD 99,836). It sold for GBP 93,750 (USD 129,375), its world auction record, at Christie’s online on 1 April 2021.

 

Bonhams London: 16 December 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 50,250 / USD 67,838

BANKSY (BORN 1974)
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in blue crayon, numbered 196/299 in pencil
Bonhams London: 11 November 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 62,750 / USD 84,713
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint in colors, on wove paper
Signed in blue crayon, numbered 241/299 in pencil
Christie’s online: 23 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000

GBP 75,000 / USD 104,250

BANKSY
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in blue crayon, lower right
Numbered 148/299 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

 

Heritage Auctions: 22 April 2021
USD 93,750
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in blue crayon and numbered 246/299 in pencil along lower edge

Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 93,750 / USD 129,375
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR VERY LITTLE HELPS

BANKSY (B. 1974)
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in blue crayon, numbered 195/299 in pencil

Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 105,084

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in blue pencil, numbered 77/299

SBI Art Auction: 30 January 2021
Estimated: JPY 4,000,000 – 7,000,000
JPY 13,915,000 / USD 128,000

BANKSY
Very Little Helps, 2008
Screenprint
Signed and numbered on the lower part, Numbered on the certificate
From the edition of 299

 

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