Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Retna X BTS Skate Deck 3
Summary
Skate Deck 3 from the Retna x Beyond The Streets series (2018) is an 8.0-inch board in an edition of 75. It falls in the scarcer half of the five-deck run, presenting Retna's coded script on a functional skateboard tied to the Beyond The Streets exhibition.
Why It Matters
At 75 units, Deck 3 is materially rarer than Decks 4 and 5, reinforcing the series' descending-edition structure. Collectors building the complete set feel the availability tighten from this deck onward, which elevates its role in the run.
Collector Perspective
Its edition of 75 places it in a moderate-scarcity band, more sought-after than the higher-numbered decks. As with all the boards, original and unmounted condition governs value. It is a key mid-set acquisition for anyone assembling all five Retna x BTS decks.
Historical Context
Beyond The Streets, founded by Roger Gastman, framed graffiti and street art as a serious cultural movement. Retna's inclusion connected his invented alphabet to that lineage, and the deck series carried his fine-art script into a functional, culturally resonant format.
FAQ
How rare is Deck 3?
It is an edition of 75, scarcer than Decks 4 (100) and 5 (250) in the same series.
What format is it?
A functional 8.0-inch skateboard deck bearing Retna's script.
Is it part of a numbered series?
Yes, it is the third of five decks, each issued in a different, descending edition size.
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.