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Jamie Reid — The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (American Express Withdrawn Poster) (Signed)
Jamie Reid

The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (American Express Withdrawn Poster) (Signed)

Jamie Reid's 1980 lithograph was created to promote "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle," the Sex Pistols' controversial film, but was immediately withdrawn from circulation after American Express threatened legal action against Virgin Records for the unauthorized use of its trademarked logo. The poster's suppression and near destruction make this artist's proof particularly significant, as few examples survived, transforming it into a rare artifact of punk era graphics and corporate censorship. Reid's bold graphic design exemplifies his iconic contribution to punk visual culture, where appropriation and subversive messaging challenged both artistic and commercial conventions.

Medium
Lithograph printed in colours, 1980, signed and inscribed 'A/P' in gold marker, one of five artist's proofs aside from the edition of 50, with an accompanying letter of authenticity from the artist, on wove paper, the full sheet printed to the edges, sheet 694 x 1000mm (27 3/8 x 39 3/8in) (unframed), This poster was withdrawn owing to legal action taken by American Express against Virgin for unlicensed use of its logo. All posters were meant to have been destroyed., Condition, Related Lots, BACK

🔨 Auction Lot

Prints & Works on Paper 1500-2026

March 31, 2026

Lot 99

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About this work

Jamie Reid, The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (American Express Withdrawn Poster) (Signed)

Jamie Reid's 1980 lithograph was created to promote "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle," the Sex Pistols' controversial film, but was immediately withdrawn from circulation after American Express threatened legal action against Virgin Records for the unauthorized use of its trademarked logo. The poster's suppression and near destruction make this artist's proof particularly significant, as few examples survived, transforming it into a rare artifact of punk era graphics and corporate censorship. Reid's bold graphic design exemplifies his iconic contribution to punk visual culture, where appropriation and subversive messaging challenged both artistic and commercial conventions.

Medium
Lithograph printed in colours, 1980, signed and inscribed 'A/P' in gold marker, one of five artist's proofs aside from the edition of 50, with an accompanying letter of authenticity from the artist, on wove paper, the full sheet printed to the edges, sheet 694 x 1000mm (27 3/8 x 39 3/8in) (unframed), This poster was withdrawn owing to legal action taken by American Express against Virgin for unlicensed use of its logo. All posters were meant to have been destroyed., Condition, Related Lots, BACK
Seen at
Forum Auctions, London, UK

Related themes

20th Century, Commercial culture critique, Poster Art, Sex Pistols, British Artist, Irreverent and satirical, Collage Technique, Punk art movement, Screen Print, Music and counterculture