Banksy's Girl with Balloon Gold AP Sells for £1.1 Million at Sotheby's

In March 2021, a unique Artist's Proof of Banksy's gold version of Girl with Balloon fetched £1,104,000 at Sotheby's London, significantly surpassing its estimated range of £400,000–£600,000. This print, designated as AP 7 and featuring a Pest Control Certificate of Authenticity, is part of a limited series of 88 signed Artist's Proofs across four colorways (Gold, Light Pink, Dark Pink, Dark Purple), with only 22 of each. Initially launched by Pictures on Walls in 2004, the standard edition included 150 signed and 600 unsigned prints. This sale established a new standard in Banksy's print market, highlighting the impact of rarity, cultural relevance, and market conditions. The value was further enhanced by the 2018 shredding incident at Sotheby's, where a version partially self-destructed, later known as Love Is in the Bin. Although prices have stabilized since 2021, they still exceed pre-pandemic figures. The Gold AP is regarded as one of the most valuable Banksy Artist's Proofs ever auctioned.