Girl With Balloon: Banksy’s early works up for auction

The auction also includes some of Banksy’s other earliest known works including a pink stencil of a rat holding a drill in a motorboat and a depiction of a rioter throwing flowers.

Darren Julien, executive director of Julien’s Auctions, said: “This astonishing collection assembled and lovingly kept for over 25 years by his closest associate and partner, Steve Lazarides, offers an unprecedented look at the history and path of the man that would become the world’s most famous and visionary artist named Banksy.”

A pair of shoes worn by the Bristol street artist are also up for sale.

“Banksy, myself, and a couple of others, set up a company called Pictures On Walls and we really wanted to make cheap affordable art for the masses,” Mr Lazarides said.

“For a very short moment in time we made a difference, we made it okay for ordinary people to like art… It’s by far the proudest thing I’ve done. And by far the most powerful thing I think he’s done.”

The auction will be held on 31 October.