A CHESHIRE art-lover has sold off a Banksy original for £22,000 after persuading the world-famous street artist to sign a selection of bookplates for his children.

The spray-painted image of a rat in dark glasses was auctioned off at the Nantwich fine art auctioneers Peter Wilson, after being in the owner’s possession for five years.

The Cheshire man, who asked not to be named, came into possession of the piece after he sent four blank bookplates to Banksy’s studio in 2009.

Banksy finally agreed to hand over the picture in 2009 after a lengthy exchange of witty emails lasting almost two years.

In one email to Banksy, the Cheshire man wrote: “I feel I am probably wasting my time, my wife is convinced I am, and so are my children, but I will not give in to their defeatism…

“Will you, the Rat Honourable Banksy do me the honour of a couple or even one, signature for my poor children’s books.”

Banksy wrote back eventually: “Thanks for remaining moderately patient the whole time despite getting no response, only now I’ve forgotten why you wrote in the first place… “

And in a later email, the famous street artist said: “On the understanding you’re not going to use it against me or instantly sell them … I’ll write all over them.

“If this will make you happy, I’m more than willing to oblige.”

The bookplates were returned many months later with the signed image of the rat wearing dark glasses in the shape of stars – one of Banksy’s readily identifiable motifs – spread across them.

They were sold with a letter of authentication from the artist.

The bookplates were purchased by a representative from a South of England gallery who paid £22,000 – four times the estimate for the privilege of owning them.

Banksy’s identity is still unknown despite years of notoriety. No one knows his name but he is believed to live in Bristol.