Jelly Roll Morton: Stomps and Joys
Commercial graphic design and musical recording; 12-inch Long Play (LP) vinyl record with printed cardboard jacket • Graphic design by RCA Victor creative department; music by Jelly Roll Morton and his Red Hot Peppers
Style & Movement
Mid-century modern commercial design; Early Jazz / New Orleans Jazz (musical style)
Medium & Technique
Offset lithography on cardstock; pressed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) vinyl disc with paper label
Creation Period
1964 (release date of the RCA Victor Vintage Series LPV-508 reissue)
Dimensions & Format
12.375 x 12.375 inches (standard LP sleeve); square format
Subject Description
The cover features a central diamond-shaped inset portrait of Jelly Roll Morton playing the piano, overlaid on a black-and-white background of wine bottles in a wooden cellar rack. The design utilizes bold typography and the iconic RCA Victor 'His Master's Voice' logo.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the sleeve shows visible corner wear and edge scuffing, while the vinyl disc appears to have minor surface dust and potential light scratches
Estimated Market Value
$15 - $35 USD (based on current collector market for standard reissues)
Auction Estimate
$10 - $25 USD
Provenance History
Part of the RCA Victor Vintage Series (LPV-508); likely from a private record collection
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a mid-1960s archival preservation effort to reintroduce early jazz pioneers like Jelly Roll Morton (who claimed to have invented jazz) to a new generation through long-playing high-fidelity formats.
Notable Features
Includes the 'Vintage Series' branding; the center label identifies this as Side 2 with track listings including 'Harmony Blues' and 'Seattle Hunch.'
Condition Issues
Ring wear on the sleeve, corner blunting, possible spindle marks on the label, and light surface noise expected due to dust and handling.
Conservation Recommendations
Place the vinyl in an acid-free poly-lined inner sleeve and the jacket in a 3-mil polypropylene outer sleeve; store vertically in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.