Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Retna X BTS Skate Deck 1
Summary
Skate Deck 1 from the Retna x Beyond The Streets series (2018) is an 8.0-inch board in an edition of only 25, the smallest run in the five-deck series. It represents the rarest single deck bearing Retna's coded script from the Beyond The Streets collaboration.
Why It Matters
At just 25 examples, Deck 1 is the scarcest board in the run and the primary bottleneck for anyone completing the set. Its extremely low edition size makes it the most coveted individual deck, prized as much for rarity as for design.
Collector Perspective
With only 25 issued, this is the hardest deck to find and typically the last piece a set-builder secures. Original, unmounted condition and verified authenticity are essential given the small population. It carries the strongest standalone collector value of the five decks.
Historical Context
Beyond The Streets, founded by Roger Gastman, canonized graffiti and street art through touring exhibitions and editions. Retna's alphabet, drawn from calligraphic and graffiti traditions, appears here on the rarest object in the series, tying his fine-art practice to skate culture.
FAQ
Why is Deck 1 the most sought-after?
At an edition of 25, it is the smallest run in the five-deck series, making it the rarest and hardest to acquire.
What is the format?
A functional 8.0-inch skateboard deck featuring Retna's script.
Is it hard to complete the set without it?
Yes, its low edition of 25 makes it the primary bottleneck for collectors assembling all five decks.
About the Artist
RETNA (Marquis Lewis, born 1979 in Los Angeles) is an American artist known for a distinctive invented script that fuses graffiti, calligraphy, and historical alphabets including Egyptian hieroglyphs, Arabic, and blackletter. He rose from the LA street-art scene and gained wide recognition in the 2010s through gallery exhibitions and public murals. His hybrid typographic style has led to collaborations with brands and institutions, and his large-scale text-based canvases have been shown internationally. RETNA's coded lettering remains his signature, treated as a personal, largely illegible language.
Collecting Retna at Gauntlet Gallery
What should I look for when buying a RETNA print?
Look for signed and numbered screen prints from documented releases, noting the edition size, paper, and any embossed publisher marks. RETNA's dense script prints are popular, so verify that the signature and numbering match the known edition. Original paintings require thorough provenance. Gauntlet Gallery lists edition details and condition for each RETNA work offered.
How are RETNA works authenticated?
Authentication rests on the publisher's certificate of authenticity, the hand signature, and a clear ownership trail from a gallery, auction house, or the studio. Comparing the print to its published edition specifications is key. Gauntlet Gallery documents each piece with its available paperwork and provenance rather than relying on any authority the artist does not endorse.
What drives value in RETNA's work?
Unique canvases and hand-embellished works sit at the top of the market, followed by low-edition signed prints in strong condition. Value reflects scale, complexity of the script composition, exhibition history, and provenance. Well-preserved, fully documented pieces from recognized editions retain value most reliably.