Gauntlet Gallery — Martha Cooper Print Index
The Bicycle Boys
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Released in 2022 as a limited edition of 50, The Bicycle Boys pairs Martha Cooper's photograph with the printmaking sensibility of Chris Stain. The bundle includes two 8 x 10 inch prints on Kodak Professional Luster paper, each signed and numbered by its respective creator, plus an accompanying zine that frames the image within Cooper's broader documentary practice.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: Limited Edition of 50. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
Dual-signed collaborations between a photographer and a print artist are unusual, and this edition puts two names collectors follow onto a single release. At 50 copies with two signed prints and a zine, it functions as a compact archive object rather than a single wall piece, appealing to collectors who value context and completeness alongside the image itself.
Collector Perspective
Condition-sensitive collectors should confirm the bundle is intact: both signed prints plus the zine. Kodak Luster paper resists fingerprints but shows edge wear, so handling matters. Because the value rests partly on the pairing of Cooper and Stain, an incomplete set loses much of what makes the edition distinctive. Verify both signatures and matching numbering.
Historical Context
Cooper built her reputation photographing New York's subway and street culture from the 1970s onward. Chris Stain emerged from graffiti and stencil traditions before moving into fine-art printmaking centered on working-class subjects. Their 2022 collaboration reflects a long-running dialogue between documentary photography and the street art community Cooper helped bring to wider recognition.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print
- Release date
- 2022
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Giclee Print | Portfolio; catalog dimensions 10 x 8 inches; Printed on Kodak Professional Luster Paper.
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: Limited Edition of 50.
- 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 Martha Cooper'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: No per-work artist statement is recorded for this edition. Any thematic reading should be treated as interpretation of the imagery, not a documented statement of the artist's intent. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2022 and attributes the edition to House Of Roulx. The saved description also notes: Features previously unpublished photographs of Michael Rivera and 'The Bicycle Boys' by Martha Cooper, Brooklyn, 1979 as well as an original hand-written note from Michael to Martha explaining his ideas for his hand-crafted bikes.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- The saved release description references: Hand-Stamped Acid Free Sleeve. Confirm any original sleeve, tube, box, or backing board copy by copy.
- 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 House Of Roulx. 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.
- Martha Cooper — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Martha Cooper (Q448601) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
What is included in The Bicycle Boys edition?
The bundle contains two 8 x 10 inch prints on Kodak Professional Luster paper, one signed and numbered by Martha Cooper and one by Chris Stain, together with an accompanying zine.
How large is the edition?
It was released as a limited edition of 50.
Who signed the prints?
Each print is individually signed and numbered by its creator: one by Martha Cooper and one by Chris Stain.
Does the zine affect completeness?
Yes. The edition was issued as a print-and-zine bundle, so a complete example should include both signed prints and the zine.
