Gauntlet Gallery — Jamie Reid Print Index
God Save The USA (Swastika Eyes)
Summary
'God Save The USA (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 transplants Reid's defaced-portrait 'Swastika Eyes' device onto American iconography for a pointed transatlantic critique.
Why It Matters
The 'Swastika Eyes' treatment, echoing Reid's original Queen defacement, is here turned on the United States, making the print a sharp comment on American politics in 2017. As part of the 313-edition series with matching hand-finishing, it belongs to a coherent group interrogating power on both sides of the Atlantic.
Collector Perspective
This piece pairs naturally with the companion 'God Save The Queen 2017 (Swastika Eyes)' print, and collectors sometimes seek both. The distressing and folding are intentional. Confirm signature and numbering, and note the shared 313 edition and hand-finished treatment across the series.
Historical Context
The swastika-eyes device recalls Reid's provocative 1977 defacements, deploying shock symbolism to indict authority. Applying it to 'The USA' in 2017 responded to a turbulent moment in American politics. The work shows Reid globalising a visual tactic first honed against the British monarchy.
FAQ
What device does it use?
The 'Swastika Eyes' defacement, applied to American iconography.
What is its companion piece?
'God Save The Queen 2017 (Swastika Eyes)' shares the same treatment and edition size.
What is the edition size?
313, signed and numbered, hand-distressed and folded.
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.