IMO, it would auction between $60k and $100k US today given his recent auction prices.

You piqued my curiosity and I just did an artnet search but did not see one trading hands at $96k- not to say that it didn't happen. There have only been two that have traded at auction (according to artnet which I have found to be VERY reliable).

The first one #1/25 sold for $1,125 US including premium (gasp) at the War Child art auction in February '04.

The second one which doesn't say which specific number but is from the edition of 25 sold at Sotheby's in October of '07 for $208,800 US including premium.

Last October/November seemed to be a peak for Banksy pricing at auction as there were editioned Girl w/ Baloon (both single and diptych), editioned Lenin w/skates, and an editioned Gangsta Rat that all brought in prices with premium exceeding $100k US. Since February of this year however, you only had one editioned piece (untitled image of a bird with a grenade) bring in north of $100k US (that one brought $132k).

Likewise, since February, we've seen editioned Girl w/ Baloon, Winnie the Pooh, Lenin w/ skates, and Love is in the Air all bring in less than $100k US each including premium. Similarly, there was a recent lot with 3 editioned works (Love is in the Air, Laugh now, and Bomb Hugger) that brought in $242k US for all 3. Further, we've had unique versions of Heavy Weaponry ($70k US), Happy Choppers ($146k US), and Love is in the Air ($134k US) sell within the last month at auction at prices below what their editioned counterparts have sold in the past. Come to think of it, I don't know if Happy Choppers was ever editioned so I could be wrong on that but the price above is accurate regardless.

What's it mean? I don't know. The Banksy price curve moved up and to the right at a pace that I've never witnessed at auction before (maybe Dumas and Yuskavage) but regardless it's rare. After a bit more review of recent prices, the fair value of Kids with Guns as things stand today, I'd probably ratchet up my previous estimate a tad to $70-$100k US at auction with the wonderful disclaimer that all it ever takes are a pair of people in attendance with more money than time that both have to own the same image to move the price dramatically. I don't know of any dealers currently offering that image (though I haven't looked around) but would guess that they are asking $100-$200k US.

There, that's a nice distraction from my day job.

Hey Lee, as ever well researched stuff. You were a bit of a star helping me out with your artnet talents, for which I am still very grateful.
There was a canvas edition of HC - 3 I believe, an image:
www.artofthestate.co.uk/banksy/banksy_lazinc_happy_choppers_canvas.htm

>>>I think you're underestimating the desirability of Kids On Guns when compared to other editioned canvases, I guess we'll only know the answer next time one appears at auction.<<<

That's a fair point and may well be but I just can't see ANY edition canvas numbered to 25 being more desirable than Love is in the Air (maybe laugh now but i don't believe i've ever seen an edition of that image numbered to 25) which recently sold for $80k US. Coupled with the fact that a much smaller edition size including a Love is in the Air (1 of 5) Laugh Now (1 of 1 - call it an edition if you like) and Bomb Hugger (1 of 5) all from the 33 1/3 show and all measuring 17 inches square (Kids on Guns is 20 inches square) recently selling for $240k US for an average price of $80k US for each image all of which I consider iconic for Banksy. Further, over the years that I've been following auctions, one usually has to pay a premium as opposed to a discount to buy similar multiples in the same lot. I would personally be stunned to see a Kids on Guns from 25 bring anywhere near the previous high of $200k+ when we've recently seen 3 unique canvases all larger than Kids on Guns and all done earlier than Kids on Guns all sell for under $150k each. Also, consider that an enormous Bombing Middle England (unique) measuring 51 x 22 inches brought in $242k US and that gorgeous large Think Tank on steel measuring 75 x 70 inches went for $300k US. I think there is more than enough evidence that the prices have corrected somewhat which is healthy considering the trajectory he was moving at. It's also welcome for someone like me who loves the art and was frustrated last autumn thinking I was forever priced out of his work and am now delighted to be able to grab a couple images.