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Surfer Rosa

Record Sleeve
1988 (made)
Artist/Maker
4AD (publisher)
23 Envelope (design agency)
Oliver, Vaughan (designer)
Larbalestier, Simon (photographer)
Place of origin
Great Britain (published)
England (printed)

One of a group of 19 record sleeves together with inner sleeves and vinyl, E. 255- E.314-1989, and other graphic material by the design group 23 Envelope, (E.316-335, E.336-349. E.350-352, E.353-356-1989) acquired by the Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings (now Word & Image) to strengthen the holdings of 20th century commercial graphics and for display in 'The Art of Selling Songs: 1690-1990' a display focusing on graphic design in the music business, held in the museum in 1990. 23 Envelope were one of the most admired graphic design companies working in the 1980s.Simon Larbalastier worked with Vaughan Oliver and 23Envelope, which became v23 in 1987 and did photographic work for the The Pixies covers. The Pixies are an alternative rock music band.


Object details

Categories
Labels & Packaging
Music
Object type
Record Sleeve
TitleSurfer Rosa
Materials and techniques
Offset lithograph on thin card
Card
Offset Lithography
Brief description
Inner-sleeve for the 12" long-playing vinyl record 'Surfer Rosa' recorded by the Pixies. Gold sleeve featuring images of a flamenco dancer. Designed by Vaughan Oliver of 23 Envelope, with photography by Simon Larbalestier. Published by 4AD, Great Britain, 1988.
Physical description
Inner-sleeve for the 12" long-playing vinyl record 'Surfer Rosa' recorded by the Pixies. The sleeve is gold and both sides feature different photographic images of a flamenco dancer.
Dimensions
  • Height: 30.5cm
  • Width: 30.9cm
Measured by DH 21/02/2011
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Pixies' (Lettered in red on front.)
  • 'All songs written by Black Francis except "Gigantic" which was written by Mrs. John Murphy and Black Francis / Sleeve Art Direction and Design: Vaughan Oliver at 23 Envelope. / Photography: Simon Larbalestier. Thanks to Isabel Tamen, Diana Grandi and Tito Grandi. / Printed in England' (Lettered in red on back of cover.)
Credit line
Given by Vaughan Oliver
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Subject depicted
Flamenco Dancer
Summary
One of a group of 19 record sleeves together with inner sleeves and vinyl, E. 255- E.314-1989, and other graphic material by the design group 23 Envelope, (E.316-335, E.336-349. E.350-352, E.353-356-1989) acquired by the Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings (now Word & Image) to strengthen the holdings of 20th century commercial graphics and for display in 'The Art of Selling Songs: 1690-1990' a display focusing on graphic design in the music business, held in the museum in 1990. 23 Envelope were one of the most admired graphic design companies working in the 1980s.Simon Larbalastier worked with Vaughan Oliver and 23Envelope, which became v23 in 1987 and did photographic work for the The Pixies covers. The Pixies are an alternative rock music band.
Associated objects
Other number
CAD 803 - Record label's number
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.259-1989

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Record createdDecember 13, 2006
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O130095/surfer-rosa-record-sleeve-oliver-vaughan/
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