R.I.P., Hall of Famer, Alex Steinweiss
The first cover courtesy of Alex Steinweiss: “Smash Song Hits by Rodgers & Hart” Columbia Records
A sampling of Alex Steinweiss early album cover designs.
A Taschen book of Steinweiss covers and life of work.
Alex Steinweiss, 1947 Photo William P. Gottlieb
Described as the father of record cover design, Alex Steinweiss, died Sunday at the age of 94. In 1939, after designing hundreds of packages, posters and catalogues for Columbia, Steinwiess convinced Columbia Records’ to let him “design” the first true record cover. Until then, 78s were sold in generic brown sleeves. He designed over 850 album covers for Columbia, London, Decca, and Everest Records, developing a trademark style and influencing cover artists and designers throughout the remainder of the century.
I wonder what he would have thought of LP Cover Lover.
(54 votes, average: 4.43 out of 5)
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July 20th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
LPCL today is what Alex Steinweiss was all about in the 40s and 50s –
Nothing but wonderful art and entertainment! God Bless the best in the biz, old and new!!
July 21st, 2011 at 11:21 am
Authority!
July 25th, 2011 at 10:07 am
What would LPCL be without Mr. Steinweiss? Brown Paper Cover Enthusiast? Just doesn’t have the same ring to it.