Jazz Band Ball (Four historic recording sessions)
Graphic design and commercial art; 12-inch Long Play (LP) record sleeve and vinyl disc • Cover design attributed to the Good Time Jazz Records art department (founder Lester Koenig); Musical attribution to Kid Ory, George Lewis, Pete Daily, and Turk Murphy
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Graphic Design with Victorian Revival elements (New Orleans Jazz Revival style)
Medium & Technique
Offset lithography on cardstock (cover); pressed black vinyl with printed paper labels (disc)
Creation Period
Circa 1955 (Original recording dates vary from 1944-1951)
Dimensions & Format
12.375 x 12.375 inches (square format typical of LP jackets)
Subject Description
The cover features a pea-green background with elaborate Victorian-style ornamental cartouches framing the names of celebrated Dixieland and New Orleans jazz bands. The iconography utilizes faux-stamp and 'postage' motifs to denote the historical and documentarian nature of the recordings.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows visible signs of age and handling
Estimated Market Value
$15 - $35 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $25 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced commercial release under the Good Time Jazz label (L-12005); likely acquired through secondary market music retailers or private collections
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a document of the 'Dixieland Revival' movement of the 1940s and 50s. The Good Time Jazz label was instrumental in preserving historical New Orleans styles during the rise of Bebop, and its cover art established a specific 'antique' visual identity for the genre.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the red 'Good Time Jazz' center label on the vinyl and the unique typography that mimics 19th-century broadsides, catering to the nostalgia of the New Orleans jazz revivalist market.
Condition Issues
Visible edge wear, corner blunting, and surface scuffing on the sleeve. Possible ring wear and foxing on the green ink. The vinyl record shows surface dust and minor hairline scratches.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in an acid-free polyethylene outer sleeve and an anti-static inner sleeve for the disc. Keep in a vertical position away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity fluctuations.