From Frank Sinatra to Foo Fighters, Five Hundred 45s: A Graphic History of the Seven-Inch Record chronicles more than half a century of vinyl-single art, all reproduced at original size.
Compiled and written by album designers Spencer Drate and Judith Salavetz, the book groups its 500 subjects thematically, rather than chronologically. Collectively, the images represent the best use of art, illustration, photography, and typography in the packaging of an analog format that has survived through the digital revolution.
Read about the history of the 45 adapter, browse an online collection of classic 7-inch records, and buy a copy of the book
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Click through below for a gallery of 7-inch images from the book.
Frank Sinatra, “Songs for Young Lovers” (Capitol), 1955; Photo: Ken Veeder
Ian Dury, “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” (Stiff), 1976
Dead Boys, “Sonic Reducer” (Sire), 1977; Photo: Glenn Brown
The Clash, “London Calling” (CBS), 1979
Hollywood Brats, “Then He Kissed Me” (Cherry Red), 1979
X—X (X Blank X), “A” (Drome), 1979; Photo: J. Morton
The Pretenders, “The Talk of the Town” (Real), 1980
The Smiths, “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” (Rough Trade), 1984; Design: Caryn Gough
Butterglory, “Our Heads” (Merge), 1993
Foo Fighters, “Learn to Fly” (Roswell), 1999; Design: P.R. Brown