Design Classics: Classic Album Covers - 7 Janaury 2010
After the success of 2009’s British Design Classics, 2010 opens with a look at the classic art of the album cover. For decades the album sleeve has been the canvas for some of the most
imaginative graphic artists in the world. This stamp issue salutes this unique art form and celebrates some of the greatest examples, used by UK artists.
This band of designers and photographers have not only reflected the visual styles of many musical cultures, but have also defined and created them, too. The stamp issue explores some of the most potent graphic images of modern times, many of which have provided a visual soundtrack to people’s lives.
Many of the most significant graphic designers of the last 40 years are represented by this selection of ten iconic album covers.
Copyright and credit details for album covers etc: The Division Bell by Pink Floyd – licensed courtesy of Pink Floyd (1987) Ltd; A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay – design by Sølve Sundsbø; Parklife by Blur – design by Chris Thomson/Stylorouge, photography by Bob Thomas; Power, Corruption and Lies by New Order – Factory 1983, design by Peter Saville, A Basket of Roses by Henri Fantin-Latour, 1890;
Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones – courtesy of ABKCO Records, original cover and liner design by Robert Brownjohn, photo by Don McAllester, cake by Delia Smith;
London Calling by The Clash – photograph © Pennie Smith; Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield – licensed courtesy of Mercury Records Limited; Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin © Superhype Tapes Ltd. Reproduced by permission of Led Zeppelin; Screamadelica by Primal Scream – Artist: Paul Cannell, Courtesy Primal Scream/Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd; The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie – courtesy of Risky Folio Inc. on behalf of David Bowie.
