Gauntlet Gallery — Jamie Reid Print Index
God Save The Queen 2017 (Swastika Eyes)
Summary
'God Save The Queen 2017 (Swastika Eyes)' is a 2017 screen print, stained with red and blue, hand-distressed and folded, in an edition of 313 at 71 x 52 cm. Each is signed and numbered. It returns Reid to his most iconic image forty years on, refreshing the defaced-Queen device for a new era.
Why It Matters
This is the direct 2017 descendant of Reid's defining 1977 image, marking roughly four decades since the original. Reworking the swastika-eyes Queen with hand-distressing and folding, it lets collectors own an authorised, artist-signed reinterpretation of the graphic that made Reid's name. Its lineage is unmatched among his motifs.
Collector Perspective
Of all the pieces in this series, this carries the strongest thematic weight given its lineage to Reid's most famous work. It pairs with the 'God Save The USA' companion print. The distressing is intentional; confirm signature and numbering and the shared 313 edition size.
Historical Context
Reid's 1977 'God Save the Queen' sleeve, made for the Sex Pistols during the Silver Jubilee, is a landmark of twentieth-century graphic design. Revisiting it in 2017 reasserted its charge for a new generation and a new political climate, confirming the image's enduring cultural resonance.
FAQ
How does this relate to Reid's famous 1977 image?
It is a 2017 reinterpretation of his defining 'God Save the Queen' graphic, roughly four decades on.
What is the edition size?
313, signed and numbered, hand-distressed and folded.
Is there a companion print?
Yes, 'God Save The USA (Swastika Eyes)' shares the treatment and edition.
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.