Album covers can define a band or artist almost as much as the music itself. Sure, the sounds are certainly the most essential element, but you can't ignore the role of cover art in making a brilliant album.
Originally a protective sleeve for the fragile goods below, the album cover soon evolved into an area of artistic expression in its own right. Strong album covers make a statement, entice the listener, and create a first impression but with the rise of digital music, the great art of the record sleeve is under threat.
We want to celebrate the best in album design so you can put these great images on your wall as well as in your record collection. Our album art collection includes some of the most iconic and memorable record covers ever made including a fantastic selection of Storm Thorgerson classics and alternative versions.
Our favourite prints include Queen Queen 2 by Mick Rock, David Bowie Aladdin Sane by Brian Duffy, Jimi Hendrix Are You Experienced by Karl Ferris, and The Rolling Stones Out Of Our Heads by Gered Mankowitz.
You can check out our full collection of album cover prints below, and also view our online exhibition The Art of the Record: A celebration of music's greatest album art by clicking the link.
Jimi Hendrix shot at Karl Ferris's Hampstead studio in London, 1967
The Jimi Hendrix Experience 'Tripping' poster shot taken in Hampstead, London in 1967
Terry Pastor photographed & hand coloured the album artwork for Bowie's Spiders from Mars album.
Terry Pastor's photograph of David Bowie from the 'Hunky Dory' album cover photo session.
Photographer Terry Pastor shot & hand coloured the photo artwork for Bowie's Hunky Dory album.
Photographer Terry Pastor's 'pink' variation of Bowie from the Hunky Dory album cover photo session.
This hand coloured print is based on a photograph by Terry Pastor from the Hunky Dory photo session.
Classic Mick Rock photograph of Lou Reed that was used as the cover shot for his 1972 album Transformer
Stunning cover artwork for The Divine Comedy's third album 'Casanova'
Photo shoot for Telegraph Sunday Magazine used on Parallel Lines picture disc, taken in New York in 1978.
Barrie Wentzell shoots the back cover for Cat Stevens album 'Tea for the Tillerman' on Primrose Hill, London.
An alternative version to the cover of the Bob Dylan Free Wheelin' album, which was similar, but also in colour.
This image was used for the cover of Chris Isaac's breakthrough album 'Heart Shaped World'.
Elton John photographed by Gered Mankowitz for the cover of his 1977 album 'Greatest Hits Volume II'
Taken during the cover photo shoot for The Jam's second studio album This Is The Modern World
Outake photograph from Gered Mankowitz's famous Rolling Stones shoot for Between The Buttons taken on Primrose Hill, London.
Cover artwork for The Rolling Stones album Out Of Our Heads taken by Gered Mankowitz in Ormond Yard, London in 1965.
The image of The Smiths outside Salford Lads' Club that graces the inner sleeve of their classic album The Queen is Dead
Iconic Strangeways Road sign from the back of the ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’ album shot in 1987.
Outtake image of Kurt Cobain from a Nirvana publicity photo shoot to promote 'Nevermind', following their famous baby album cover
The cover artwork for the single Man-Size, from the album Rid of Me, released in 1993.
The cover artwork for 'Rid of Me' and Polly's first album for Island Records.
Relaxing backstage at Abbey Road Studios during the recording of debut album 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'
Led Zeppelin performing at Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 1977.
Exclusive David Bowie print specially created by The Postman for Rockarchive, based on a photograph taken by Dave Hogan at Live Aid in 1985
Underwater photo of Krist Novoselic in a LA swimming pool whilst on a Nirvana publicty shoot
Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.
Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, & guitarist who achieved international fame & acclaim.
Queen are a British rock band credited with making significant contributions to such genres as hard rock & heavy metal, among others.
Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk is an Icelandic singer-songwriter.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
During his 30 year career Jake Chessum has shot defining images of musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Jay Z, The Beastie Boys & David Bowie.
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
Our contact sheet print collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
