Album Art was “invented” in 1940 by a young designer, who proposed that putting artwork on the covers of albums, instead of the earlier treatment of silver or gold type imprinted on a heavy, solid color background (like an encyclopedia), would increase record sales. He was right.

Before that, designers created visuals to imprint a mental image and a mood on the covers of sheet music. From exotic to seductive to classic, the examples below (from the 10’s, 20’s, 30’s) show how an appropriate use of imagery and a touch of drama turn an otherwise cut and dry medium (staff lines and dots w/ flags) into an emotional piece of literature. All using about 3 colors.

Pretty sexy for 1931. The “too distracted to care about my hat” is a nice touch.

Flights were a bit more expensive back then and many years before Vegas was an option for exotic getaway.

Apparently I need to spend some time in Ohio.

Must have something in the repertoire for when grandma comes by for tea.

The simplicity is contemporary and would also make great packaging for saltines or raisins.