Rare Banksy Stencil Record Sleeve Fetches £3,720

A rare piece of street art history emerged at auction when a Banksy-stencilled record cover sold for £3,720. This unique item was a sleeve for Royksopp's 2001 album, Melody A.M., with only 100 examples hand-stencilled by the artist in 2002. Norwegian group Royksopp had commissioned Banksy, sending him blank sleeves which he returned adorned with their name in his signature green spray paint.

Martin Hughes of Wessex Auction Rooms noted the buyer was a street art collector, not a vinyl enthusiast, emphasizing the artwork's primary value. He described the sleeve as one of the most fascinating modern collectibles he had handled, with its value far exceeding that of typical vinyl records.

The auction item was anticipated to reach its estimated £3,000 to £4,000 price range, and it sold swiftly. Hughes recounted a post-auction offer of £3,000, which was accepted, indicating immediate demand for the piece. Despite being played, the record's condition did not deter the buyer, who was focused on its artistic merit.

Banksy, who gained fame in the early 1990s for his stencilled designs in Bristol, is now a globally renowned street artist. Royksopp's debut album itself achieved considerable success, charting at Number 9 on the UK album chart, though this commercial success was secondary to the sleeve's artistic value in the sale.