2001 Banksy Flaunt Radar Rat Badge.
Ultra rare item, distributed with the 2001 Flaunt Magazine Issue #30 "Button Up," featuring Brad Pitt, Banksy, & AphexTwin, before Banksy became famous (published during the early part of his career: he was still then doing public graffiti art in Bristol & London, a year before his first L.A. exhibition).
Flaunt's article (with promotional badges and stencils) about the "covert graffiti artist" helped to catapult his world fame and notoriety. This is one of very few buttons known to still exist. Banksy’s Rat, as seen in much of his artwork, is certainly one of the most recognizable and classic of his Images. As is the case with all early Banksy pieces, it will only continue to increase in value.
No refunds, no returns, no exchanges.
Shipped with tracking and insurance.
Guaranteed 100% authentic. All sales final.
Includes one button, in white/black/red.
Article below for more info.
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Oh How I don’t Love Brad Pitt!
Steve Stevens
June 21, 2020
Flaunt Magazine
It was early in January 2002 as I was mooching around Chicago airport waiting for a delayed flight, a few beers a greasy burger and now totally bored.
I thought I would spend some time in the obligatory gift shop, believe me there are not many interesting items to buy related to Chicago unless you were totally into the Bulls & Jordan which I was so after looking at numerous Bulls related items I started to browse the magazine rack.
Never liked Brad Pitt, guess I am jealous but something made me pick that magazine up with his face all over it, badges displayed on a jean jacket. I did the customary quick flick which at first took me to a Kahlua Black Russian ad (clever Kahlua worked out a flicker only goes to the thickest page) so they get a mention, but on 2nd flick bang I discover Banksy.
Pest Control, Banksy, Radar Rat Stencil for free simply cut it out yourself with instructions. I then rewound to the front cover as my hand was over the 3 free badges and the Radar Rat was one, my interest was pricked.
I started to read the article headlined London’s most notorious and covert street artist. Question 1 from Journalist to Banksy was….Tell me about the stencil you made for Flaunt? He answered It’s a life size of a Rodent, it’s drawn by Vermin, about vermin, and for Vermin, you are a fashion magazine right?
After laughing my Tits off I decided to invest $5.95 and my Banksy Journey began. Saving the read for the long Plane flight home thinking the badge and stencils would come in useful as something for the boys (I have 3 sons)
I got home and instead of parting with Flaunt and the badges to my boys tucked it away in a Drawer under my bed in my mind I had started my Banksy collection!
It’s now 18 years later so I thought I would dig it out and share it with you, wonderful isn’t it how Banksy is now one of our most famous and entertaining artists.
Vermin.
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Trent Buckroyd 9 months ago ·
You have to understand that when I put this together Banksy was not very well known. I had just been to London and saw his artwork everywhere and became a fan. When I returned to the states I tracked him down and he was up for an interview. I suggested the stencil idea (but not the subject matter) and he agreed as well. Very nice / funny gun. We ended up sponsoring his first gallery show in the US shortly after this issue came out. I wish I would have bought something, they were ridiculously inexpensive, but I was broke at the time.
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