Gauntlet Gallery — Jamie Reid Print Index
Black Queen (Red, Blue & Silver)
Summary
'Black Queen (Red, Blue & Silver)' is a 2018 screen print of 250 at 60 x 40 cm. Three colours are over-layed on a black oak base motif, each print roughly and readily hand-pulled at L-13 with randomised offsetting, so every impression is unique. Each is signed and numbered.
Why It Matters
The work reworks Reid's central Queen motif into a darker, more abstract 'Black Queen' register. The hand-pulled process with randomised offsetting makes each of the 250 impressions individual, giving the edition genuine variation. It continues Reid's decades-long dialogue with monarchy imagery through fresh technique.
Collector Perspective
The randomised offsetting means no two prints are alike, a real appeal within the edition of 250. The rough, hand-pulled aesthetic is intentional, not a flaw. The Red, Blue and Silver variant should be confirmed against documentation, and collectors should verify signature and numbering.
Historical Context
Reid's Queen imagery began with the 1977 Sex Pistols sleeve and has been reinterpreted many times since. The 'Black Queen' variants recast that motif in a more monumental, oak-based form. Produced at L-13 in 2018, they demonstrate how Reid kept renewing his most famous subject across four decades.
FAQ
Why is each print unique?
Each is hand-pulled at L-13 with randomised offsetting over a black oak base motif.
What colours make up this variant?
Red, Blue and Silver over the black base.
What is the edition size?
250, signed and numbered.
About the Artist
Jamie Reid (1947–2023) was a British artist best known for creating the visual identity of the Sex Pistols and the punk movement. His ransom-note lettering, cut-and-paste collage, and defaced imagery, including the safety-pinned Queen for "God Save the Queen" (1977), became defining icons of punk graphic design. Rooted in the Situationist and anarchist traditions, Reid produced record sleeves, posters, and political art across a five-decade career. His work is held in major collections and remains among the most recognizable and influential graphic art of the twentieth century.
Collecting Jamie Reid at Gauntlet Gallery
What should I look for when buying Jamie Reid work?
Distinguish original 1970s printed ephemera (record sleeves, posters, flyers) from later signed limited-edition prints and screen prints. Original period pieces are prized for their historical role but vary widely in condition; later editions are typically signed and numbered. Gauntlet Gallery documents the era, format, and edition details of each Reid piece so buyers understand exactly what they are acquiring.
How is a Jamie Reid piece authenticated?
Authentication relies on provenance, the hand signature on later editions, publisher or estate documentation, and comparison to known published works. Given the volume of reproductions of iconic punk imagery, distinguishing an authorized signed edition or original period print from a later poster reprint is essential. Gauntlet Gallery provides the supporting paperwork and provenance available for each work.
What drives value in Jamie Reid's work?
Historical significance is the primary driver, with original 1976–1978 punk-era material and Sex Pistols-related pieces commanding the strongest interest. Signature, edition size, condition, and direct ties to landmark releases all affect price. Documented original ephemera and signed low-edition prints in good condition hold value best.