Banksy Prints Still Attract Bidding Frenzy Despite Post-B Boom Decline
The 2021 record-breaking £18.58 million ($25.4 million) sale of Banksy's "Love is in the Bin" at Sotheby's marked a high point for the artist's market, where controversy and mass recognition have been key drivers of popularity. The print market, in particular, has benefited from this dynamic, with limited edition prints selling anywhere from $4,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
While the post-pandemic surge was short-lived, prices for Banksy prints stabilized over the past five years, with signed prints trading between $27,000 and $68,000. Unsigned examples are closer to $14,000 to $20,000. The artist's most recognizable works tend to fetch significantly higher prices, such as a signed "Girl with Balloon" which sold for $257,909 at Christie's last year.
However, the market has not been immune to fluctuations, with prices falling sharply after the pandemic surge, correcting by as much as 83 percent by mid-2025. The downturn hit hardest in 2020 but over the past five years, Banksy prints have performed better than much of the art market.
Despite the decline, collectors who missed out on the frenzy are now finding it easier to buy into the artist's market. Heritage Auctions' upcoming In Focus: Banksy sale features an unsigned "Girl with Balloon" (edition 344/600) with an estimate of $60,000-80,000, a deliberate hit parade that includes other iconic works like "Love is in the Air" and "Flying Copper."
For both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers, these prints remain a good buy, particularly given the artist's low print supply compared to other blue-chip artists. The upcoming sale offers an opportunity for collectors to enter the market at a relatively accessible price point, while still benefiting from Banksy's enduring popularity and brand recognition.
The 2021 record-breaking £18.58 million ($25.4 million) sale of Banksy's "Love is in the Bin" at Sotheby's marked a high point for the artist's market, where controversy and mass recognition have been key drivers of popularity. The print market, in particular, has benefited from this dynamic, with limited edition prints selling anywhere from $4,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
While the post-pandemic surge was short-lived, prices for Banksy prints stabilized over the past five years, with signed prints trading between $27,000 and $68,000. Unsigned examples are closer to $14,000 to $20,000. The artist's most recognizable works tend to fetch significantly higher prices, such as a signed "Girl with Balloon" which sold for $257,909 at Christie's last year.
However, the market has not been immune to fluctuations, with prices falling sharply after the pandemic surge, correcting by as much as 83 percent by mid-2025. The downturn hit hardest in 2020 but over the past five years, Banksy prints have performed better than much of the art market.
Despite the decline, collectors who missed out on the frenzy are now finding it easier to buy into the artist's market. Heritage Auctions' upcoming In Focus: Banksy sale features an unsigned "Girl with Balloon" (edition 344/600) with an estimate of $60,000-80,000, a deliberate hit parade that includes other iconic works like "Love is in the Air" and "Flying Copper."
For both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers, these prints remain a good buy, particularly given the artist's low print supply compared to other blue-chip artists. The upcoming sale offers an opportunity for collectors to enter the market at a relatively accessible price point, while still benefiting from Banksy's enduring popularity and brand recognition.
theyre just so iconic n every1 wants 1!!! i mean i know the market went down after the pandemic but ppl r still willin to spend $$$ on them n i think thats awesome!!! 
u should totally check out this sale @ heritage auctions its gonna be fire!!! 
, even with prices fluctuating like crazy. I mean, his art is just so iconic and instantly recognizable - you can't deny the appeal of "Girl with Balloon" or "Love is in the Bin". And let's be real, the fact that there are only a few hundred prints available for most of his works makes them super valuable 
. The upcoming sale at Heritage Auctions looks like it's going to be a great opportunity for people to dip their toes in, and I think it's awesome that Banksy's art remains accessible to new buyers.
And hey, if someone wants to spend $60,000 on a print, who am I to judge? It's just the way the market goes 
.
!
. Like, I know he's a super famous artist and all that, but £68k for one print? That's like buying a house 
! And it's not just the originals, even the copies of his stuff are selling for crazy amounts 
I mean, he's still making art and stuff, so maybe the value will go up in the future 
.
. Now people are getting in on it again at lower prices, which is nice for new collectors who don't wanna break the bank 
Also, I love how Heritage Auctions is trying to make some iconic works more accessible... it's like they're saying, "Hey, everyone can get in on this!" 
I'm not surprised about the bidding frenzy around Banksy prints! It's like, the artist is a master of creating controversy and getting us talking 
, and that's exactly what makes his market hot 
. I mean, who wouldn't want a piece of art that's been torn apart by fans (literally 
, then you're golden! 
. People are still drooling over those limited edition prints, even with prices falling (kinda). It's crazy how much hype this guy has built up. I remember when he first started popping up in the streets, nobody knew who he was. Now his prints are selling for tens of thousands... it's wild 
. And the best part? He's still only making a few prints at a time, so collectors can feel like they're getting in on something exclusive 
. It's like he's got this magic spell that makes people want to buy anything he touches 
. I'm not saying I'd shell out $60k for one of his prints, but I guess some people are willing to take the risk... who knows what'll happen next? 
... even though it might seem good that collectors are finally gettin' in on the Banksy bandwagon, I reckon they're just gonna inflate prices again like they did back in '21 
. And let's be real, the fact that Banksy prints are still selling like hotcakes despite the market fluctuations is just proof that the guy is a genius 
. I think it's awesome that we're seeing more accessible prices for first-time buyers – it's definitely making art more inclusive 
. And yeah, its true that prices have been pretty volatile since the pandemic boom ended 
. But for collectors who missed out on the initial frenzy, this sale could be a good chance to get in on the action 
. Plus, with Banksy's unique style and limited print supply, you gotta think those prints are gonna hold their value over time 
.
. Plus, it's not like Banksy is some new kid on the block - he's been making waves since 90s 
. So yeah, I'm all in for these auctions... maybe I'll even dip into my savings 
! Just check out the numbers - $60,000-80,000 for an unsigned "Girl with Balloon" is a steal 
. That's some serious growth! Of course, prices did take a hit during the pandemic, but as you said, they've stabilized nicely since then.
. And let's be real, his brand recognition is off the charts 
.
.
. AND LET'S BE REAL, HIS PRINTS ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE IN DEMAND THANKS TO HIS UNIQUE STYLE AND SOCIAL COMMENTARY 
. Can't have a slick layout and design if I don't have the latest artwork up! 
The fact that Banksy has such a low print supply compared to other big-name artists makes these prints pretty valuable. So, even with prices dropping, they're still a good investment.