Scott Joplin: The Red Back Book (Album Cover)
Commercial Graphic Art: Vinyl LP Cover and 12-inch 33 1/3 RPM gramophone record • Cover illustration by unknown studio artist for Angel Records / Capitol Records; performed by Gunther Schuller and the New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble
Style & Movement
Mid-century Graphic Design / Ragtime Revivalism; illustrative style influenced by turn-of-the-century aesthetic
Medium & Technique
Offset lithographic printing on cardboard sleeve; vinyl pressing (polyvinyl chloride)
Creation Period
1973 (Original release date)
Dimensions & Format
12.375 x 12.375 inches (sleeve); Square format
Subject Description
Stylized illustration of a ragtime ensemble in red uniforms standing on a stage with instruments (trombone, clarinet, trumpet, double bass, drum). The title refers to 'Standard High-Class Rags', a 1912 collection known as 'The Red Back Book'.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows typical signs of age, handling, and storage
Estimated Market Value
$5 - $15 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $20 (primarily relevant for specialized vinyl auctions or lot sales)
Provenance History
Mass-produced commercial release under the Angel label (S-36060); retail distribution typically through record stores circa 1970s-80s
Art Historical Significance
Significant in the 1970s 'Ragtime Revival'; this specific album won a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance and helped propel the music of Scott Joplin back into mainstream culture, preceding the film 'The Sting'.
Notable Features
Features the 'Angel' logo in the upper right; label on vinyl is the later 1970s tan/yellow cloud label design used by Angel Records.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (brown spotting) on the white borders of the sleeve, ring wear (circular impression from the record), edge wear, corner blunting, and surface dust on the vinyl media.
Conservation Recommendations
Store upright in an acid-free poly outer sleeve; place vinyl in an anti-static inner sleeve; keep in a climate-controlled environment away from direct heat and UV light.
Collector Notes
LP cover and vinyl record