Ray Lowry / The Clash - London Calling - Giclée print (1 of 70)

The third and final print edition of this timeless sketch.

Just 70 of this edition will be available.
Image taken from the preliminary sketch of what later became one of the most iconic album sleeve covers'.

In all, as a screen print (79), ChromaLuxe (20) and now a Giclée edition (70), there will only be 169 (official) prints of this sketch worldwide. 

I'll pass you over to the ghost of Ray who describes the creative process of the design;

“ The London Calling album cover had to feature the infamous pink and green rock and roll lettering, God made me do that. Early roughs show that as the one constant with say, the band roughly delineated, depending upon which photo was eventually to drop from heaven. Joe would often look over my shoulder, as would Micheal, and Mr Strummer thoroughly approved of my choice, as he made quite obvious. Everything was done on an wink and a nod basis and why the hell I thought I was even going to get near to the cover is a bit of a mystery, sod it, lets just have a go. I believe that Joe and I were the only ones to share that exultant, “Yihaa, This Is It” moment when we spotted that marvellous little shot among the many, many shots on Penny’s sheet of contact prints one shady, smoky evening in some hotel in some state towards the end of the trip. I didn’t know until just recently that the dear chap had wrangled long and hard with Penny about it. The old gal didn’t fancy it because it was out of focus, but I think that his Strummership and Moi saw a fantastic rocking moment. Monsieur Simonon smashing the tool of his trade to smithereens on the stage of the New York Palladium – POW! Take that you Yankee Upstarts – We’re still so bored with the USA.
Actually, I had no idea that it was out of focus. Half blind at the best of times and probably half pissed at the time, that simply had to be the one. History seems to have proved us correct. But back then, it seemed that the combination of rip-off lettering and unrecognisable central figure would cause all sorts of difficulties with the powers the be’d at CBS. We need not have worried, my design and myself were met with something a little short of indifference back in London and I was confined to the obscurity of some corner in their art department while the big boys excited themselves with the then, latest Shakin Stevens slice of vinyl regurgitation. I seem to recall Radio 1 being on most of the time. Nom due merde! We who would be valiant be etc. etc.”

| Outer dimension - 23" x 23" approx | Art Dimension - 16.5 x  16.5" approx | Giclée print | Hahnemühle German Etching | 310gsm | 

All limited prints are numbered, embossed and come with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Samuel Lowry on behalf of the Ray Lowry Estate