A Graphic History of the Seven-Inch Record

Listening to music on vinyl is enjoying a huge resurgence and collecting vinyl is more popular than ever - and not just for the music. Vintage 45s from all music genres are widely sought after by collectors for their unique graphics. Since its birth in 1949, the 45 has provided a creative outlet for graphic designers and artists, who have used the record sleeve as a canvas, as a place to experiment visually and to express the aesthetics and sentiments of the times.

From Spencer Drate and Judith Salavetz, award-winning designers of album art for countless industry legends—including U2, the Ramones, the Velvet Underground, and Joan Jett—comes Five Hundred 45s: the most comprehensive compilation of 45rpm record sleeve graphics available in book form on the market today. A real collector’s item—and at a great price—for classic rock fans, art book collectors, and graphic design aficionados alike.

Five Hundred 45s contains more than 500 examples of striking seven-inch record sleeve design across every genre of music and its great musicians—all reproduced at full size.