Wilbur De Paris and His New New Orleans Jazz
Graphic design and commercial photography; 12-inch vinyl LP record with cardboard jacket • Cover photograph by Hugh Bell; Graphic design by Atlantic Records staff; musical performance by Wilbur De Paris and his band
Style & Movement
Mid-century Modern / Jazz Age revival; documentary-style recording photography
Medium & Technique
Offset lithography on cardstock (jacket); black and white studio photography; pressed polyvinyl chloride (disc) with paper labels
Creation Period
1955
Dimensions & Format
Square format; jacket approximately 12.375 x 12.375 inches; record 12-inch diameter
Subject Description
The cover features a black and white action shot of the jazz ensemble in a recording studio, highlighting Wilbur De Paris on trombone and Omer Simeon on clarinet. The composition utilizes a low-angle perspective to emphasize the musical instruments, including a prominent sousaphone in the foreground. The typography uses a stylized, 'swing' era green font for the title.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; jacket shows visible ring wear, edge scuffing, and corner blunting; vinyl appears to have surface dust and light sleeve scuffs
Estimated Market Value
20.00 USD - 45.00 USD
Auction Estimate
15.00 USD - 30.00 USD
Provenance History
Original pressing on Atlantic Records (Catalog 1219). Likely part of a private music collection; specific labels indicate various pressings (black/silver vs red/purple labels)
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a document of the New Orleans Jazz revival movement of the 1950s. Atlantic 1219 was a high-fidelity mono recording that showcased the transition from 'Dixieland' to more polished, professional studio arrangements of traditional standards.
Notable Features
Features the 'High Fidelity' Atlantic bullseye logo; features prominent musicians including Sidney De Paris and Omer Simeon; photography by noted jazz photographer Hugh Bell
Condition Issues
Visible storage wear on jacket (ring wear); yellowing of the white cardstock base; possible surface noise on disc due to hairline scratches; corner dings
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a 3-mil archival polyethylene outer sleeve; replace inner sleeve with a non-scratching poly-lined version; dry-clean record with a carbon fiber brush; store vertically in a climate-controlled environment