The Music of Jelly Roll Morton Played by Turk Murphy and Wally Rose
Audiovisual collectible, specifically a Long Play (LP) 12-inch vinyl record and its printed cardboard sleeve cover. • Turk Murphy (trombone) and Wally Rose (piano); cover design attributed to Columbia Records' art department; Photography by unknown staff photographer.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern graphic design; Early Jazz/Dixieland Revival musical style.
Medium & Technique
Vinyl (polyvinyl chloride) disc with pressed grooves; sleeve is offset lithography on paperboard featuring a combination of photography and graphic design.
Creation Period
Original release circa 1953-1954 (Columbia Records, Great Jazz Composers Series).
Dimensions & Format
12.375 x 12.375 inches (square sleeve); 12-inch diameter circular record disc.
Subject Description
The cover features a black and white photograph of musicians Turk Murphy and Wally Rose at a piano, bisected by a sharp diagonal red field. The composition uses bold typography and a structured grid characteristic of early 1950s modernist advertisements.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; the sleeve shows significant corner wear, edge fraying, and minor staining; the vinyl record appears used with surface dust visible.
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $30.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$5.00 - $20.00 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced commercial recording; no specific owner marks visible, though the 'CL 559' catalog number indicates a major label distribution history.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of the post-war Dixieland jazz revival. The cover design reflects the transition of jazz from popular dance music to a serious subject of historical 'composer' series study.
Notable Features
Columbia '6-Eye' label or early red 'Full Dimensional Sound' style; 'Lp' logo in a circle denoting early microgroove technology; 'Great Jazz Composers Series' branding.
Condition Issues
Yellowing of white paper areas, ring wear on the sleeve, 'foxing' or spotting on edges, and potential micro-scratches on the vinyl playback surface.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in an acid-free polyethylene outer sleeve; use an anti-static inner sleeve for the record; keep in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.