Jim Flora

On a wonderful day of thrifting with my good friend, we ran across an old record illustrated by  Jim Flora for a mere buck!  But the worst part, neither of us bought it.  What were we thinking?  Well, the record was in bad shape but that's not the point! The cover was in perfect condition and ready for framing.  Next week we'll go back and see if it's still there. If it is, it was meant to be.

So who is Jim Flora you may be asking yourself; he was popular in the 1940s and 1950s for his album cover art for RCA Victor and Columbia Records.  If that isn't impressive enough, he wrote and illustrated 17 children's books.  I am in complete awe and lust over his work: simple, bold and beautiful.  If you're lucky enough to run across one of his gems snag it up and don't think twice.  However, if you aren't you can purchase a silk screen or giclée print off of his website at a very reasonable price starting at $25 plus shipping. 


Below are some of my favorites. 

Mambo for cats. 1955 album cover.

Louis Armstrong's hot 5. 1947 album cover.

Ferris wheel fireworks. From "The Day the Cow Sneezed." 1957 book illustration.

Oh, did I mention he's from Ohio?  That might just be the best part.