Gauntlet Gallery — Jamie Reid Print Index
God Save The Queen (Blue On White)
Summary
God Save The Queen (blue on white) is a 1997 silkscreen from the New York edition Jamie Reid produced that year, measuring 29 x 40 inches on archival paper, in an edition of 200. It revisits his single most iconic image — the defaced Queen of the 1977 Sex Pistols sleeve — two decades on.
Why It Matters
This is the signature Reid image, the graphic that helped define punk visual culture. The 1997 New York silkscreens brought that icon into a formal fine-art edition on archival paper, letting collectors own an authorized print of one of the most reproduced political images of the 20th century.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 200 within a larger 1997 New York production that totaled over 5,000 prints across several images, this sits among Reid's more available fine-art works. The large 29 x 40 inch format and archival paper give it presence. The blue-on-white colourway distinguishes it from the black-on-white variant.
Historical Context
In 1997 Reid traveled to New York and produced an edition of silkscreens exceeding 5,000 pieces total, with five images printed at 29 x 40 inches on archival paper. God Save The Queen anchors that series, formalizing the anti-royalist image born from the Sex Pistols' 1977 Silver Jubilee provocation.
FAQ
How does this relate to the 1977 image?
It revisits Reid's iconic defaced-Queen graphic from the 1977 Sex Pistols sleeve, reissued as a 1997 silkscreen.
What is the edition size?
An edition of 200 in the blue-on-white colourway.
Where and when was it printed?
In New York in 1997, as part of a larger silkscreen production totaling over 5,000 pieces.
What are the dimensions?
29 x 40 inches, on archival paper.
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.