the original blue soupcan was firstly issued as an artists proof... they were numbered out of ten and all signed

then this was followed by the original blue soupcan print run ... these signed blue soupcans were numbered out of fifty...and according to laz (who i briefly chatted to about soupcans once) are extreemly desirable.

there was also a run of unsigned blue soupcans which were numbered out of 150 (i believe)

Due to the fact they sold so quickly, POW decided to issue "colourways". There were 28 (i belive) different colourways...some more pleasant than others. The colourways were numbered out of 10 each... and all signed.

(later laz issued (to fund banksys l.a. show) prints comprising of four blue cans with gold tops... one one set on gray paper numbered out of 12 and one one white paper numbered out of fifty something)

So.... the signed editions are either: a blue artist proof out of ten, a blue original out of 50, a hideous colour out of 10, or the gold tops out of 12 or 54 (i think it was 54... definitely 50 something!)

The one on ebay at the moment appears to be genuine. It is stamped mumbered and signed... and he is offering the bill of sale as provenance. Having studied the listing, I would say it was completely genuine.

I have a blue original myself (numbered out of 50) and it too has a very similar "birthmark' in exactly the same place... basically it is the silver ink, which must have got on to the print by accident during the screening process.

as prints go it is a beauty... 5 colours ... also it is the image that banksy hung up in the museum of modern art in New York.. so it is one he is very much associated with him in the states....

Although the colourways may seem more exclusive on the surface of it because they are numbered out of 10... it is worth remembering that there were 28 versions of them... and they were only created because of the success of the blue original..... So in my book the original is actually (and even in future historically) the most significant one...

if i was you i wouldn't hesitate!!

exactly.

I gave dill +1 for taking the time to write outr that whole explanation.. That's exactly what these boards are for, and a great/interesting read taboot.

thanks!

BTW, I hear Chi-town got a terrible sleet/snow storm last night.. how is it, there? I might be able to come home for the holidays for a few days next week (well pre-holidays I suppose, but we shall see)

I'm also throwing out the idea of going to London next weekend for the possibility of going to the Ghetto...

the 10 APs were released at the very same time as the colourways. i recall buying one only to be told the next day by Steph that they had gone and would send me either a colourway, or one of the 50 signed versions when they released them the following week. i declined as went for the colourway. wise choice.

so, in summary, the 28 cans were not an after thought, but very much the main release.