Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
There Were No Words (First Edition)
Summary
"There Were No Words (First Edition)" is a 2006 letterpress print on Somerset Velvet paper at 18 x 24 inches, in an edition of 20. It is notable as the only Faile print released using letterpress, making it a technical outlier within a body of work otherwise dominated by silkscreen.
Why It Matters
Being the sole letterpress work Faile has released gives this print unique standing for collectors tracking the studio's technical range. Letterpress imparts a tactile, debossed quality distinct from silkscreen, and at an edition of 20 on premium Somerset Velvet stock, it combines scarcity with a one-of-a-kind production method in the Faile catalog.
Collector Perspective
The letterpress process is the entire story here — its status as Faile's only letterpress print is the primary collectibility driver. Inspect for crisp, even impression depth and confirm the Somerset Velvet stock and 18 x 24 inch size. Because letterpress deboss can flatten under poor storage, prioritize impressions with intact texture.
Historical Context
While Faile built its reputation on silkscreen and wheatpaste, this 2006 letterpress edition represents a singular experiment with a traditional relief-printing technique. Somerset Velvet is a heavyweight cotton stock prized in fine-art printmaking, underscoring that this was a deliberate, craft-forward departure from the studio's usual production.
FAQ
What makes this print unusual?
It is the only Faile print ever released as a letterpress, unlike their standard silkscreen editions.
What is the edition size?
It was issued in an edition of 20.
What paper is used?
Somerset Velvet paper, a premium cotton stock, at 18 x 24 inches.
How does letterpress differ from silkscreen?
Letterpress presses type or plates into the paper, creating a tactile debossed impression rather than a flat silkscreened ink layer.
About the Artist
FAILE is a Brooklyn-based artistic collaboration founded in 1999 by Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller. Known for a distinctive collage aesthetic that blends comic-book imagery, pulp advertising, religious iconography, and street-poster typography, FAILE built its reputation through wheat-pasted works and stencils in cities worldwide. The duo is celebrated for reviving printmaking and woodblock techniques, and for immersive installations such as their prayer-wheel and temple environments. Their work has been exhibited internationally, including projects with the New York City Ballet, bridging street practice and fine-art institutions.
Collecting Faile at Gauntlet Gallery
Which FAILE works are best to collect?
FAILE's signed, numbered silkscreen editions and their hand-finished wood and mixed-media pieces are the core of the market. Screenprints from their studio releases offer an accessible entry, while unique wooden "blocks" and painted works sit at the higher end. Gauntlet Gallery focuses on complete, well-preserved impressions with strong color registration.
How is a FAILE piece authenticated?
We sell FAILE works with documented studio provenance, backed by the edition's signature and numbering. Every piece is photographed as-is, including the signature, edition number, and any studio markings, so you can confirm details before purchase.
What makes one FAILE piece worth more?
Edition size, medium (unique wood pieces over open prints), iconic imagery, condition, and provenance from a known release all drive value. Hand-embellished and one-of-a-kind works consistently outperform standard editioned prints.