Gauntlet Gallery — Jamie Reid Print Index
Dirty Fake Old Queen
Summary
Jamie Reid's 2015 Dirty Fake Old Queen revisits his most infamous target — the monarch — with the same defacing impulse that fueled his Sex Pistols work. Issued as an original poster in an edition of 231 plus 13 APs, each sheet arrives folded and individually distressed by the artist. Measuring 52 x 71 cm, it is signed and numbered.
Why It Matters
The individual distressing is the point: no two copies are identical, so each poster is effectively a unique object rather than a uniform reproduction. Reid weaponizes the crease and tear as a gesture of contempt, extending his career-long collision with British royal iconography into a late-period statement.
Collector Perspective
At 231 copies plus 13 APs, this sits in the middle of Reid's edition sizes — accessible but not abundant. Collectors should note the artist's disclaimer that tears and creases vary from the pictured example; condition here is a deliberate feature, not a defect. Verify the pencil signature and number before treating any single sheet as pristine.
Historical Context
Reid built his reputation on the ransom-note aesthetic and the safety-pinned Queen of the 1977 Sex Pistols campaign. Dirty Fake Old Queen, produced nearly four decades later, shows him still mining that vein of anti-royalist provocation, now framed as a deliberate limited edition for the collector market rather than a street artifact.
FAQ
Why does each poster look different?
Reid folded and individually distressed every sheet by hand, so tears and creases vary from copy to copy and from the pictured example. The variation is intentional.
How large is the edition?
231 numbered copies plus 13 artist's proofs, each signed and numbered by the artist.
Is this a print or a poster?
It is described as an original poster, distressed by hand, rather than a fine-art screenprint.
What are the dimensions?
52 x 71 cm.
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.