| In 1939, Alex Steinweiss was employed at | | | | were many lazy employees and to save time, |
| Columbia Records as the first art director for the | | | | they just pasted the new cover on top of the old |
| company and decided to spruce up and | | | | cover and the one that was supposed to be |
| repackage vinyl records. We all know the result, | | | | removed. The result is three different versions of |
| album cover art has become an important part of | | | | that particular album and a collector's dream, the |
| music and pop culture. (Prior to Steinweiss's | | | | different versions of the album are worth several |
| creative influences, records were generally stored | | | | thousand dollars (prices vary-check a record price |
| in plain, undecorated packaging). | | | | guide to ascertain exactly what album you may |
| For collectors, album cover art can sometimes be | | | | have to get the exact price). |
| as valuable as the vinyl record it holds. For | | | | Album cover art has also spawned numerous |
| instance, one of the most famous album covers | | | | web sites in which to view famous covers and |
| of all time, the Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely | | | | designs, readers' favorites and top ten lists. One |
| Hearts Club Band" cover was one of the most | | | | such site, offers a comprehensive look at some |
| inventive at the time and included cut out inserts | | | | of the most famous covers from the 1970's |
| and lyrics. The price one would pay for a copy of | | | | including the Sex Pistols "Never Mind The Bollocks," |
| this album is influenced by whether or not it has | | | | the Eagles "Hotel California," Pink Floyd's "Dark |
| the original contents and they are intact. There | | | | Side Of The Moon" and the Rolling Stones' "Sticky |
| are many album covers that included posters of | | | | Fingers" among others. Additionally, offers their |
| the band as well and other "perks" for the buyer | | | | reader's favorite seventies album covers (more |
| and all these elements factor into the resale price | | | | than 300) with detailed descriptions and reviews |
| and collectiblity. | | | | of each specific release. This is a great way to |
| There have been many dynamic and | | | | spend a rainy day, as you discover some of the |
| world-famous album covers. Consider the Beatles' | | | | best album cover art of the 70's. |
| album "Yesterday...and Today" (1966), also called | | | | Album cover design is an art form and allows the |
| the "butcher block album" because the Beatles | | | | musicians greater control over the content and |
| were pictured on the front cover wearing white | | | | another important avenue in which to express |
| butcher coats surrounded by bloody meat and cut | | | | themselves. In my humble opinion (and I share |
| up dolls. The album was quickly pulled by Capitol | | | | this opinion with countless others), with the |
| Records after the company received numerous | | | | advent of the CD, the music buying public lost a |
| complaints from reviewers and DJ's. The | | | | national treasure, album cover art. It is part of |
| company recalled the issue and ordered a new | | | | pop culture and recorded music in general. Sure, |
| cover but did not want to waste the several | | | | Cd's offer you a "stripped down" version of the |
| hundred thousand that had already been printed. | | | | original cover art, but it certainly pales in |
| Capitol then hired part-time helpers to remove | | | | comparison to the real thing. I am sure Mr. |
| that photo from the cover and paste on the new | | | | Steinweiss would totally agree with me. |
| photo for the cover. But, it seems that there | | | | |