http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qg-Uvl6GPAM/SBbSk4IkB1I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/-Ej1i4dn7g4/s400/img023.jpg

http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/86104045.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19374ECC42B7A3FA40DF3AC58A5825ACA8BE30A760B0D811297

1954.

I have the first & highly recommend it. There is a great snap of Cal Tjader from '54 on the last page!

That great Cal snap is now the last one on the OP of the Cal thread here.

There was also another cover book which had reproductions of Blue Note, Prestige and Riverside albums, I had Dexter Gordon's "Our Man in Paris" framed.  I had quite a bachelor pad in those days, Miles's "Sketches of Spain" would be playing as I would be reading some spontaneous bop prosody from The Legend of Dulouz. Except it was only an upstairs bedroom at my parents, and it starts to become problematic when you tell a potential conquest you are back living with your mum and dad, even if its only temporary.

^Sounds like a project for your good self, GG.

For those who loved the Blue Note, California Cool and East Coastin' books there's now a very nice looking Prestige tome complete with CD:

http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=489298

Staceyboy

Great to see the Americans finally waking up to their own amazing heritage. But hey! £55. Who is this for? Outrageous elitist pricing. Graham and I have more work to do...

GG

Prestige covers are bloody brilliant, but the original books on Blue Note/California Cool/East Coasting were paperbacks in the £20 area I recall. I think £55 is an absurd price. If you want to frame them find the original vinyl records - now that's art!

GG

I've just checked my copy and it's priced at £16.99. Also, book prices have actually reduced in real terms over the last 15 years, in relation to the rate of inflation (since the withdrawal of the net book agreement). I know because I work in the book trade. Take it from me, £55 is a bloody ridiculous price for a book on cover art. The publisher clearly does not know the market.

GG