Wilbur de Paris at Symphony Hall (Cover Art and Vinyl Record)
Print and commercial design; 12-inch Long Playing (LP) vinyl record with cardboard sleeve. • Cover photograph by Lee Friedlander; Graphic design by Atlantic Records creative team (often supervised by Nesuhi Ertegun). Performance by Wilbur de Paris and his New New Orleans Jazz ensemble.
Style & Movement
Mid-century Modern graphic design and Jazz documentation photography.
Medium & Technique
Offset lithography on cardstock (cover) and pressed black polyvinyl chloride (disc). The cover features a candid color photograph and modernist typography.
Creation Period
circa 1957
Dimensions & Format
Square format (approximately 12.375 x 12.375 inches for the jacket); portrait-oriented photograph within the right two-thirds of the layout.
Subject Description
The cover depicts a black poodle sitting on large stone steps, likely at Symphony Hall in Boston. In the background, a person (partially cropped) sits under a neoclassical pillar. The typography uses a clean, sans-serif font typical of 1950s Atlantic Records releases.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair. The jacket shows visible 'ring wear,' corner bumping, and edge fraying. The vinyl appears to have surface dust and minor hairline scuffs typical of handled vintage media.
Estimated Market Value
$10 - $35 USD (based on condition and pressing version).
Auction Estimate
$15 - $25 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced commercial release. Visible indicators include the Atlantic Records logo and catalog number 1253. Likely part of a private music collection.
Art Historical Significance
Atlantic 1253 is a notable example of the label's commitment to documenting New Orleans style jazz during the cool jazz era. The use of Lee Friedlander for photography marks the intersection of high-art street photography and commercial music marketing.
Notable Features
Features the 'Black Label' Atlantic pressing indicating an original or early mono release of the 1957 recording. The presence of the Lee Friedlander photograph makes it collectible for photography buffs as well as jazz enthusiasts.
Condition Issues
Jacket displays significant shelf wear, yellowing on the white border, and potential spindle marks/wear on the center laber of the vinyl. Record surface shows signs of play wear.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in an acid-free poly outer sleeve and use an anti-static inner sleeve for the vinyl. Keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent further warping or foxing.