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Banksy banks the cash

Banksy banks the cash

Friday 13 December 2019

Banksy banks the cash

Friday 13 December 2019


A Banksy print that went under the hammer in a Channel Islands auction house this week has sold for nearly double its original asking price.

The 'Barcode Leopard' print was auctioned off yesterday at Martel Maides in Guernsey, with fine art experts setting a starting price of £8,000.

In the end, it was sold for £15,000 to a bidder who faced competition from potential buyers in person and over the phone. It also attracted a worldwide online audience.

The print, which was the 461st edition in a run of 600, was not signed by Banksy, but marked with a red 'Banksy' stamp.

There were a number he did sign, and then 600 were stamped. Each print, including this one, comes with a certificate of authenticity - a Pest Control Certificate - which is torn in half, with the other half kept by Banksy's handling service, Pest Control.

James Bridges, Martel Maides' Director, said that the print ended up at the Guernsey auction house "very literally... by chance".

"A man called in through the door," Mr Bridges explained.

"He came in and said he had a Banksy print, and asked if he could put it in the fine art auction.

"This is the first time we have had anything from Banksy, we don't get that much contemporary art in, and with Banksy being probably the best known contemporary British artist, it was a really good opportunity."

Pictured top: The 'Barcode Leopard' Banksy print that went for £15,000.

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