Grannies

Medium: Screen-print in colors on Arches wove paper
Year: 2006
Sheet: 56×76 cm (22×30 inches)
Editions: 150 signed, 500 unsigned
Hand-Finished Edition: 11 signed
Publisher: Pictures on Walls

‘They say youth is wasted on the young but sitting on your ass all day
eating mints and watching telly seems wasted on the elderly.
Here’s a picture of two old dears knitting themselves a sweater.”

Grannies features two elderly ladies sitting on aged armchairs enjoying their favorite activity: knitting jumpers and drinking tea. They seem very pleased of themselves, smiling, most probably talking, exchanging good memories, and knitting for their grand-children. However, on closer inspection, the text emblazoned in block-capitals across the jumpers are unlikely slogans: “Punks Not Dead” and “Thug For Life”. They both appear to be quietly pleased with themselves, as they fly in the face of cultural norms, and share such an act of rebellion.
 
Rendered in Banksy’s signature black and white stencil style, the pair is set against a block pink background, which juxtaposition serves to heighten the humorous contradiction between scene and message, a technique mastered by the artist. As it is often the case in Banksy’s works, several interpretations are possible. Perhaps this artwork reminds the viewer never to underestimate the relatively innocuous appearance of the older generation, which acts as a guise for their rebellious pasts.
James Pfaff, Grannies, Studio Sessions II, London, 2004
Banksy might also well be encouraging the older generations to pass down their acts of defiance to the future generations, along with the knitted jumpers they gift their grandchildren.
Grannies (Hand-Finished), 2006
Edition: 11 signed with extensive hand-spray finish

Grannies is one of six prints belonging to the Barely Legal Print Set, which also includes Morons, Trolleys, Applause, Sale Ends and Festival. Grannies was originally released at Barely Legal as an edition of 100 unsigned prints, printed by Modern Multiples, that sold for $500 a piece. In 2007, Banksy’s UK-based printer Pictures of Walls re-released different versions of the Morons print: 300 signed prints on a sepia background, as well as black and white editions of 500 unsigned and 150 signed prints.

 

 

Auction Market Overview

Grannies (unsigned)

2025 No Sale at Auction in 2025
2024 Sold 5 Times
Average Price: GBP 15,283 (USD 19,708)
Top Price: GBP 16,800 (USD 22,361) @ Sotheby’s online  on 26 September 2024
2023 Sold 4 Times
Average Price: GBP 15,988 (USD 19,775)
Top Price: GBP 21,440 (USD 26,515) @ Forum Auctions on 24 May 2023
2022 Sold 7 Times
Average Price: GBP 25,030 (USD 31,095)
Top Price: GBP 37,520 (USD 51,027) @ Forum Auctions on 3 March 2022
2021 Sold 8 Times
Average Price: GBP 40,265 (USD 55,605)
Record Auction Price: GBP 56,280 (USD 77,104) @ Forum Auctions on 27 January 2021
2020  Sold 8 Times
Average Price: GBP 37,290 (USD 49,441)
Top Price: GBP 56,500 (USD 75,710) @ Bonhams London on 10 December 2020

 

Grannies (signed)

2025 No Sale at Auction in 2025
2024 Sold Once
Top Price: GBP 25,000 (USD 31,875) @ Tate Ward on 19 June 2024
2023 No Sale at Auction in 2023
2022 No Sale at Auction in 2022
2021 Sold 3 Times
Average Price: GBP 83,700 (USD 115,590)
Record Auction Price: GBP 107,100 (USD 148,870) @ Sotheby’s online on 18 March 2021
2020  Sold 4 Times
Average Price: GBP 46,188 (USD 60,160)
Top Price: GBP 67,000 (USD 88,440) @ Forum Auctions on 4 September 2020

 

 

 

 

Grannies (unsigned)

2026 Auction Results

Sotheby’s London: 25 March 2026
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 14,080 / USD 18,855

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered in pencil 122DN/500
(Duplicate Number)
With the blindstamp of the publisher, Pictures on Walls

2025 Auction Results

Grannies (unsigned) did not sell at auction in 2025.

2024 Auction Results

Grannies (unsigned) sold 5 times at auction in 2024 for a total turnover of GBP 76,413 (USD 98,539) at an average price of GBP 15,283 (USD 19,708). The highest price of GBP 16,800 (USD 22,361) was achieved at Sotheby’s online  on 26 September 2024.


Christie’s online: 1 October 2024
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 15,120 / USD 20,110

BANKSY
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 341/500 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150) with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 16,800 / USD 22,361

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered in pencil 153/500 with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s New-York: 16 July 2024
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 12,000
USD 18,000

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered in pencil 355/500 (lower right) with the publisher’s blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 30 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 14,000 – 16,000
GBP 10,500 (HAMMER)
GBP 14,070 / USD 17,588

BANKSY (b.1974)
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in pink and black on Arches paper
Numbered from the edition of 500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2023 Auction Results

Bonhams London: 6 December 2023
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 12,160 / USD 15,315

BANKSY (British, born 1974)
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 wove paper
Numbered 15/500 in pencil

Bonhams London: 18 October 2023
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 12,160 / USD 14,771

BANKSY (born 1974)
Grannies (LA Edition), 2006
Screenprint in colors
Numbered 113/500 in pencil

Forum Auctions: 24 May 2023
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
Hammer: GBP 16,000
GBP 21,440 / USD 26,515

BANKSY
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp from the edition of 500

Heritage Auctions: 30 March 2023
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 22,500

BANKSY
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 121/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

2022 Auction Results

Grannies (unsigned) sold 7 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 175,213 (USD 217,668) at an average price of GBP 25,030 (USD 31,095). The highest price of GBP 37,520 (USD 51,027) was achieved at Forum Auctions on 3 March 2022.

 

Artcurial: 29 November 2022
Estimated: EUR 20,000 – 25,000
EUR 23,616 / USD 24,454


BANKSY
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered “91/500” in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 30,240 / USD 36,288

BANKSY
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 246/500 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

Sotheby’s online, 26 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 27,720 / USD 34,927

BANKSY
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Numbered 62/500 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

2021 Auction Results

Grannies (unsigned) sold 8 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 322,122 (USD 444,837) at an average price of GBP 40,265 (USD 55,605). The highest price of GBP 56,280 (USD 77,104) was achieved at Forum Auctions on 27 January 2021, just short of GBP 56,500 (USD 75,710) achieved at Bonhams in London on 10 December 2020, which is the highest price ever paid at auction for Grannies (unsigned).

Bonhams London: 10 December 2020
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 56,500 / USD 75,710
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR GRANNIES (UNSIGNED)

BANKSY (born 1974)
Grannies (unsigned), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches
Numbered 210/500 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

Grannies (signed)

Tate Ward Auctions: 12 February 2026
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 20,000 / USD 27,590

BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Grannies‘ (signed), 2006
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered from an edition of 150 in pencil
Published by Pictures On Walls

Tate Ward: 19 June 2024
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 25,000 / USD 31,875

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Grannies (signed), 2006
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered in pencil from an edition of 150 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Bonhams London: 11 November 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 56,500 / USD 76,275

BANKSY
Grannies (signed), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 55/150 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left
 Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 107,100 / USD 148,869
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR GRANNIES (SIGNED)

BANKSY
Grannies (signed), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 3/150 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Grannies (Hand-Finished)

Grannies (hand-finished) made its auction debut at Sotheby’s online on 18 March 2021 for GBP 226,800 (USD 315,252).

Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 200,000 – 300,000
GBP 226,800 / USD 315,252
BANKSY
Grannies (Hand-Finished), 2006
Screenprint in colors on Arches wove paper
With extensive hand-sprayed additions in purple and green
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed and numbered HF 9/11 (one of 11 hand-finished impressions)