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Sunburst and Snowblind

Record Sleeve
1983 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is from 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. The record publishers 4AD employed them almost exclusively throughout the 1980s. The Cocteau Twins (1981-1997), formed in Grangemouth, Scotland, have been described as a post-punk indie, 'dream pop', or alternative rock band.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSunburst and Snowblind (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Colour offset lithograph on card
Brief description
Cover sleeve for the 12" vinyl record 'Sunburst and Snowblind' recorded by the Cocteau Twins. Designed by 23 Envelope. Published by 4AD, Great Britain, 1983.
Physical description
Cover sleeve for the 12" vinyl record 'Sunburst and Snowblind' recorded by the Cocteau Twins. The design shows a semi-abstract photographic image of what appears to be melting ice, on the front this includes a semi-frozen carnation flower.
Dimensions
  • Height: 31.3cm
  • Width: 31.5cm
Measured by DH 21/02/2011
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • Title and band name lettered in top-right corner of the front of the sleeve.
  • Tracklisting and title lettered in bottom-left corner on back of sleeve. 23 Envelope logo, 4AD logo and catalogue number 'BAD 314' given in bottom-right corner.
Credit line
Given by Vaughan Oliver of 23 Envelope
Production
Vaughan Oliver and Christopher Biggs, with the photographer Nigel Grierson, formed the design company 23 Envelope which produced almost all covers for 4AD's releases up to 1987.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This is from 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. The record publishers 4AD employed them almost exclusively throughout the 1980s. The Cocteau Twins (1981-1997), formed in Grangemouth, Scotland, have been described as a post-punk indie, 'dream pop', or alternative rock band.
Associated objects
Other number
BAD 314 - Record label's number
Collection
Accession number
E.263-1989

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Record createdJanuary 26, 2007
Record URL
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