Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Shepard Fairey Print Index
Bomber Square (Yellow Paper)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Bomber Square (Yellow Paper) is a 1996 screen print published by Obey Giant, measuring 18 by 16 inches in a stated edition of 99, issued on both white and yellow papers and in at least two colors. The source identifies it as the first version of the Bomber print. Fairey reportedly disliked it and gave most copies away, with around 100 made. Accounts differ on whether it was ever officially sold: some say it was never put on sale, while others indicate it was sold through MK Gallery, which convinced Fairey to allow it. The run-size figure is assumed to cover all square Bomber variations, making its true scarcity uncertain.
Collector notes: White Paper · Yellow Paper; saved release record states an edition size of 99. Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet groups this work under Collaborations and pop culture for discovery; that category is a navigation aid, not an authentication conclusion.
Historical Context
In the artist's words / from the release record:
“BOMBER SQUARE Screen Print 18 x 16 inches Edition of 99 This print was the first version of the Bomber print. Shepard decided he did not like it much and gave most of them away. Around 100 were made. It has been reported that they were never officially put on sale, although other reports indicate that they were sold through MK Gallery (who convinced Shepard to allow the gallery to sell them). This print was done in at least two colors, including yellow, and was screened on both white and yellow papers. Run size information reflects the numbering found on some prints and is assumed to include
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned screenprint
- Release date
- 1996
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year/date from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Series
- OBEY Icon Series
- Medium and materials
- Screen Print; catalog dimensions 16 x 18 in.
- Edition details
- White Paper · Yellow Paper; saved release record states an edition size of 99.
- Signature and marks
- Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering 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: “BOMBER SQUARE Screen Print 18 x 16 inches Edition of 99 This print was the first version of the Bomber print. Shepard decided he did not like it much and gave most of them away. Around 100 were made. It has been reported that they were never officially put on sale, although other reports indicate that they were sold through MK Gallery (who convinced Shepard to allow the gallery to sell them). This print was done in at least two colors, including yellow, and was screened on both white and yellow papers. Run size information reflects the numbering found on some prints and is assumed to include. 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 1996 and attributes the edition to Obey Giant. It is grouped under OBEY Icon Series in the saved record.
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 Obey Giant. 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.