Selling a Banksy

Video caption, Tony Baxter from The Sincura Group told the 大象传媒's Will Gompertz that the auction is a chance for the work to stay in the UK
  • Author, Will Gompertz
  • Role, Arts editor

For nearly a year, the haunting image of a boy hunched over a sewing machine adorned the wall of a Poundland in north London.

It was attributed to the elusive street artist Banksy, supposedly his critique of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Then, in February, it disappeared. Over the course of three days, the graffiti art was carefully prised from the wall of the building - owned by local investment company.

Nobody knows who authorised its removal or why, but the Metropolitan Police told the 大象传媒 that there were "no reports of any theft".

Soon, the mural resurfaced in Miami, where it was put up for auction with a guide price of around 拢450,000, only to be withdrawn at the last minute following a public outcry.

But the story isn't over. It's now appeared for auction again, this time in London - where the minimum bid is 拢900,000.

Here's my report ahead of the sale.