Promotional postcard for Sex Pistols single Holidays in the Sun
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1977
This object is an illustrated promotional postcard produced in 1977 for the Sex Pistols single "Holidays in the Sun". Designed in London, it forms part of the Jamie Reid archive, though the specific maker is recorded as unknown. The postcard was produced using offset lithography with lithographic ink on card. It measures 9 cm in height by 13.7 cm in width.
The design features a colour illustration depicting a man and a woman in the foreground set against an urban architectural backdrop that includes a bridge, traditional buildings, and a prominent tower. A speech bubble emerging from the figures contains the inscribed text: "A CHEAP HOLIDAY / IN OTHER / PEOPLES MISERY". The reverse or additional inscription details record "SeX PiSTOLS / holidays in The Sun", with the obverse carrying details related to the song.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The postcard was created to promote the final Sex Pistols single featuring singer Johnny Rotten before his departure from the band, issued two weeks prior to the album Never Mind the Bollocks... The artwork adapted imagery from an authentic Belgian travel brochure, replacing the original speech text with lyrics from the track. This appropriation led to legal action by the travel firm, prompting the single to be subsequently reissued in a plain white sleeve.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Printed ink on card
- Dimensions
- Height: 9 cm; Width: 13.7 cm
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: A CHEAP HOLIDAY / IN OTHER / PEOPLES MISERY; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: SeX PiSTOLS / holidays in The Sun; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: Research required; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration:
- Maker recorded
- Unknown
- Place recorded
- London
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Jamie Reid archive
- Museum object number
- S.916-1990
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.