NEW YORK, NY.- Forum Auctions is taking 40 works by British street artist Banksy to New York. New Yorkers have a particularly strong affinity with the artist following his 31 day “Better out than in” residency in the Big Apple during 2010. The works on offer provide a solid cross section of his commercially produced prints from the earliest Rude Copper (2002) to his most recent open edition Box Set, available for purchase only from the ‘gift shop’ of his Walled Off Hotel project in Jerusalem (opened 2017).

Forum Auctions has become a leading auction house for Banksy editions having sold over 100 examples over the past 12 months for a total of US$ 2,000,000. All works in the sale are offered with certificates from the artist’s authenticating body, Pest Control Office.

Highlights include:

1) Girl with Balloon (Balloon Girl)
Screenprint in colours, 2004, signed, dated numbered from the edition of 150 in pencil, printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London, the full sheet, 659 x 499mm (25 7/8 x 499mm) (unframed). Est: $80,000-120,000

This rare signed example was originally given to the vendors as a wedding present...the last GWB we sold was bought by an Asian collector as an anniversary present for his wife! GWB has achieved the additional accolade of having been voted ‘the nation’s favourite artwork’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40717821

2) Watchtower
Carved olive wood sculpture, 2007, signed and numbered from the edition of 15 in red crayon on the base, one of fifteen unique variants, 252mm (9 7/8in) (height). Est: $40,000-60,000

Exhibited: Rome, Fondazione Terzo Pilastro - Italia e Mediterraneo, War, Capitalism & Liberty: BANKSY, 24 May - 4 September 2016.

This is Banksy’s only ‘edition-ed’ sculpture in wood and, whilst numbered, each of the 15 editions are described as unique on their Pest Control certificates. They were produced in 2007 for his Santa’s Ghetto exhibition in Bethlehem. Banksy has maintained his interest in the region with the opening of a not-for-profit art hotel, walledoffhotel.com, earlier this year.

3) Golf Sale
Screenprint in black, 2003, numbered from the edition of 750 in pencil, on wove paper, printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London, with full margins, sheet 345 x 492mm (13 1/2 x 19 3/8in) (unframed). Est: $5,000-7,000

Golf Sale is one of the least expensive lots in the sale, though not as affordable as the £95 it cost the vendor in 2004! Being one of the artisit’s earlier commercial editions it represents good value as an ‘entry level’ Banksy print.

4) NOLA (Pink to Yellow Rain)
Screenprint in colours, 2008, signed and inscribed 'AP' in pencil, one of only 6 of this colour variant artist's proofs aside from the standard edition of 289, on Arches 88 wove paper, printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London, with their blindstamp, with full margins, sheet 757 x 552mm (29 x 21in). Est: $80,000-120,000

5) Rude Copper (Anarchy)
Screenprint with unique spray paint in grey, 2002, stamped with the red Banksy tag, numbered from the edition of 250 in pencil. Est. $20,000-30,000

This is considered the ‘holy grail’ of Banksy editions having been one of the first commercial productions by the artist.

6) Gold Flag
Screenprint in colours, 2008, inscribed '4 Ben ☮ Banksy', an artist's proof aside from the edition of 20, on Formica, printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London, with full margins, sheet 501 x 700mm (19 3/4 x 27 1/2in)

This is believed to have originally been a gift to fellow Bristolian artist Ben EIne. In 2010 a piece of Eine’s work was famously presented to President Obama by Tony Blair on the former’s state visit to Britain

7) Morons
Screenprint in colours, 2006, numbered from the edition of 500 in pencil. Est. $8,000-12,000