Gauntlet Gallery has developed focused expertise in Shepard Fairey's print catalog through years of active buying, collecting, and market participation. Every work we offer passes a five-stage review — and we decline more than we accept.
Our Five-Stage Acquisition Standard
- Provenance documentation: Verifiable chain of custody to original point of sale — Obey Giant Art receipts, authorized gallery invoices, or major auction lot receipts. No traceable provenance = declined.
- Paper inspection: Substrate examined under standard and UV lighting against period-appropriate reference samples. French Paper Company stocks verified by weight, tooth, and fluorescence.
- Ink inspection: Screen-print halftone structure confirmed under 10× magnification. Any CMYK rosette → immediate rejection. Red ink color assessed under warm and cool lighting.
- Signature assessment: Compared against reference library of confirmed authentic examples. Pencil pressure, letterform characteristics, and consistency verified.
- Edition archive cross-reference: Edition number and print run verified against the Obey Giant archive. Diamond Dust and HPM format variants verified separately.
Works that fail any stage are not offered for sale, and we do not price or negotiate around failed authentication.
What Comes With Every Fairey Work
- Complete provenance documentation chain
- Gauntlet Gallery condition report
- Authentication summary covering all five checkpoints
- Verisart certificate number and verification link (where applicable)
- Care and conservation guidance specific to format and condition
Eras We Specialize In
- Street Art Rising (1995–2001): Early editions with verifiable counter-cultural provenance
- Gallery Entry (2001–2007): Exhibition-documented works from Fairey's first decade in the formal art market
- HOPE Era (2008–2012): The most counterfeited period — which means the most value accrues to properly authenticated examples
- Premium Formats (2015–Present): Diamond Dust and HPM editions with the most durable investment profile in the catalog
Condition Grading
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| Archival (A+) | Never displayed, stored flat in archival materials |
| Excellent (A) | Minor handling only, no display history |
| Very Good (B+) | Slight edge toning not visible at viewing distance |
| Good (B) | Visible aging or minor restoration — fully disclosed |
| Display (C) | Significant condition issues — clearly labeled, priced accordingly |
