Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Shepard Fairey Print Index
1984.0
Work Summary & Collector Notes
1984.0 is a 2008 offset lithograph by Shepard Fairey, published by Penguin Books in an edition of 200 at an original price of $40. Measuring 18 x 24 inches (described as A2), the print derives from Fairey's pop-art cover design for the Penguin reissue of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. Per the source, Fairey produced 200 individually signed and numbered lithographs of this poster to celebrate the new editions. The work translates his bold graphic style into a literary book-cover commission, pairing his propaganda-inflected aesthetic with one of the twentieth century's defining novels about totalitarianism and surveillance.
Collector notes: First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 200. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Historical Context
In the artist's words / from the release record:
“George Orwell’s timeless satire of a revolution that went wrong – Animal Farm – and chilling portrait of a totalitarian regime – Nineteen Eighty-Four – have become classic works of Twentieth century literature. With these incredible new Shepard Fairey pop-art covers both books will be rediscovered by another generation of readers. To celebrate these new editions, Shepard Fairey has exclusively produced 200 A2 individually signed and numbered lithographs of both posters.” — Shepard Fairey
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned lithograph
- Release date
- 2008-11-12
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year/date from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Series
- Offset Lithograph
- Medium and materials
- Offset Lithograph; catalog dimensions 24 x 18 in.
- Edition details
- First Edition; saved release record states an edition size of 200.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: Shepard Fairey's OBEY / Andre the Giant campaign began in 1989 and grew into a long print and public-art practice; this page treats that as career context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition.
Meaning / interpretation: In the artist's or release record's own words: “George Orwell’s timeless satire of a revolution that went wrong – Animal Farm – and chilling portrait of a totalitarian regime – Nineteen Eighty-Four – have become classic works of Twentieth century literature. With these incredible new Shepard Fairey pop-art covers both books will be rediscovered by another generation of readers. To celebrate these new editions, Shepard Fairey has exclusively produced 200 A2 individually signed and numbered lithographs of both posters.”. This can be read as the documented intent for the work; no additional endorsement is assumed. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2008-11-12 and attributes the edition to Penguin Books. It is grouped under Offset Lithograph in the saved record. The saved record notes an original release price of GBP £40.00.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Penguin Books. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, date, edition, dimensions, medium, release price, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- About — Shepard Fairey / OBEY GIANT — Obey Giant · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official OBEY GIANT artist biography and career context; it is not an individual-edition record.
- Shepard Fairey — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Shepard Fairey (Q1142847) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.