Gauntlet Gallery — Jamie Reid Print Index
Queen In Blood Diamonds (Negatively Positive)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
'Queen In Blood Diamonds (Negatively Positive)' is a 2020 screen print of 250 at 62 x 43 cm. Created for the Viral Art Car Boot Fair during the pandemic, it set Reid head-to-head with Jimmy Cauty in a 'battle of the Queens,' reanimating his subversive 'God Save the Queen' iconography for the occasion.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: Edition of 250. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
This print revisits Reid's most iconic image, the defaced Queen, and reframes it through the darkly comic lens of 2020's 'Year of the Crown Virus.' The 'Blood Diamonds' framing sharpens the critique of monarchy and empire, while the Car Boot Fair pairing with Jimmy Cauty situates it within a lineage of anarchic British art events.
Collector Perspective
At 250 the edition is moderate, but the direct link to Reid's defining Queen imagery gives it strong thematic desirability. Provenance tied to the Viral Art Car Boot Fair adds narrative interest. Collectors should verify the 'Negatively Positive' variant and confirm signature and numbering.
Historical Context
Reid's 1977 'God Save the Queen' sleeve is one of the most reproduced images in modern graphic history. The Car Boot Fair, associated with Cauty and the L-13 orbit, revived DIY art-selling culture. This 2020 edition ties Reid's monarchy critique to the pandemic moment and its royal-virus wordplay.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned screenprint
- Release date
- 2020
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Screen Print; catalog dimensions 62 x 43 cm; 3 colour screen print on recycled 1200 micron grey pulp card; Each print is unique with significant variation in offsetting, misprinting, smudging, marks, tears and creases.
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: Edition of 250.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Jamie Reid's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: Read as documented context rather than stated intent: Reid's 1977 'God Save the Queen' sleeve is one of the most reproduced images in modern graphic history. This is an interpretive reading of the release context, not a statement of the artist's intent for this specific work. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2020 and attributes the edition to L-13 Light Industrial Workshop.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to L-13 Light Industrial Workshop. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Jamie Reid — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Jamie Reid (Q2138987) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
Why was it created?
For the Viral Art Car Boot Fair in 2020, in a 'battle of the Queens' with Jimmy Cauty.
What iconography does it use?
It reanimates Reid's subversive 'God Save the Queen' imagery.
What is the edition size?
250 screen prints at 62 x 43 cm.
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