Music Memorabilia Artwork: Original Rock Music Prints, Signed and Certified

Music memorabilia artwork is art that ties back to a band, a song, or a show. It can be a vinyl record sleeve, a concert poster, or a print of a rock star. Some people hang it in a room. Others keep it in a collection and add to it over time.

This guide is for anyone who wants to start. You will learn a little history, what the main types of art are, how to tell an original from a print, and what it means when a piece is signed and certified. At the end, there is a short FAQ.

A Short History of Music Art

How the album cover began

For a long time, records came in plain paper sleeves. In 1938, Columbia Records hired Alex Steinweiss as its first art director, and he is credited with starting the idea of cover art. You can read his story on the Alex Steinweiss page. Other labels saw that art helped sell records, so they copied the idea. Today, the album cover is a whole art form.

From vinyl record to CD

The vinyl record gave artists a big square to fill. Later, the CD made the space smaller, but artists kept working. Some covers became famous on their own. The Beatles used a gatefold cover for Sgt. Pepper, which opened up like a small gallery. If you want more history, this guide to album artwork is a good place to read next.

Types of Music Memorabilia Artwork

Album art and vinyl record sleeves

This is the most common type. A vinyl record sleeve is easy to hang, and many fans love the look of a full-size cover. An album print is a copy of that art made for the wall.

Concert posters

A concert poster was first made to tell people about a show. Now many fans collect them. A poster from a night you were at can mean more to you than any other piece.

Rock star prints

Some artists draw or paint the people in the band. A print of a rock star can show a face, a stage, or a guitar. Run Wrake made many bold pieces like this. His work for NME shows up in The Ultimate Collection of Run's N.M.E. Illustrations.

CD booklets and DJ art

CD art is small, but some of it is great. DJ and club art is also worth a look. Flyers and mix covers often use loud colors and big shapes.

Original, Print, or Limited Edition?

These three words get mixed up, so here is a simple way to think about them.

An original is one piece, made by the artist, and there is no other like it. A print is a copy of an artwork. A limited edition is a print where the artist picks a set number of copies and then stops.

Fewer copies often means a higher price. It can also mean the piece is harder to find later. You can see how this works in the shop. The Prince | The Gold Experience 1995 limited edition print and the Flaming Lips | Zaireeka limited edition print are two examples.

What Does It Mean to Sign and Certify a Piece?

Signed art

A signed piece has the artist's name on it, written by hand. Fans like this because it links them to the person who made the art. A signed piece often costs more than one that is not signed.

How to certify a piece

To certify a piece means to show that it is real. Most of the time this is a paper called a certificate. A good certificate says who made the work, what it is, when it was made, and which copy you have. Keep it with the art. If you ever sell the piece, the buyer will want to see it.

Be careful if a seller cannot tell you where the piece came from. A real seller will answer your questions.

Where to Buy Music Memorabilia

Start with the artist's own shop. You know the work is real, and you often get good details about it. Galleries are another choice, and so are record fairs and auctions. Online marketplaces can work too, but check the seller and ask for photos.

You can look through everything Run Wrake sells in the official shop. If you want to know who he was, read the about page or look at the portfolio.

How Much Should You Pay?

There is no one answer. A new print costs far less than an old original. Prints in the Run Wrake shop start at about £35; for example, the Subterranea Meat Street print. A rare piece by a famous band can cost much more.

Set a budget first. Then look at a few sellers before you buy.

How to Frame and Hang Your Art

Pick a size: 8x10 and bigger.

An 8x10 inch frame is easy to find and cheap. It works well for small prints and for CD booklet art. Bigger pieces, like A3, give you more to look at, but they need more wall space.

Framed artwork or a custom frame

Framed artwork is ready to hang the day it arrives. A custom frame costs more, but it can fit an odd size or match your room. Either way, use a mount if you can, and keep the piece out of strong sun so the colors last. Some pieces in the shop come as an A3 framed print on a cream mount.

Make a gallery wall in your room.

A gallery wall is a group of frames on one wall. Mix sizes, and put your favorite piece near the middle. A music room, a desk, or a hallway all work well.

Start Your Collection

You do not need a big budget to start a collection. Pick one band, one era, or one type of art that you like. Then add pieces slowly. Ask questions, keep your certificates, and buy what makes you smile.

When you are ready, visit the Run Wrake shop. If you have a question about an order, see the FAQs page or contact us.

Music Memorabilia Artwork FAQ

Where can I get album art?

You can find it at record shops, online print shops, galleries, and artist shops. Some artists sell prints of their own album art.

Where is the best place to buy artwork?

The artist's own shop is a safe first stop. Galleries and auctions are also good. Always ask for proof that the piece is real.

How much should I pay for album artwork?

It depends on the size, the age, and how many copies exist. New prints are often the cheapest. Signed pieces and old originals cost more.

What type of art is in high demand right now?

Music prints and limited edition posters are popular with many fans. Prices change, so look at what similar pieces sold for lately.

What is the most famous album cover of all time?

There is no official answer. People often name the Beatles' Abbey Road, Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, and Nirvana's Nevermind.

What is the most valuable album cover, or the rarest album?

These are hard to answer, because it depends on how you count. The Wu-Tang Clan album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is often called the most valuable record, since only one copy was made.

Where can I get music memorabilia appraised?

Try an auction house, a dealer who works with music items, or a trained appraiser. Ask how they charge before you send anything.

How do I find out how much my memorabilia is worth?

Look up pieces that are like yours and see what they sold for, not what sellers are asking. Condition, age, and a signature all change the price. A certificate helps too.

Where is the best place to sell music memorabilia?

Auctions and dealers suit rare pieces. Online marketplaces suit common ones. Have good photos and any papers ready.

Can I get a painting valued for free online?

Some auction houses offer free online estimates if you send photos. An estimate is not the same as a full appraisal, so use it as a guide only.

What are some examples of art that shows music?

Album covers, concert posters, and portraits of musicians are the main ones. Picasso's painting Three Musicians is a famous older example. Bob Dylan painted the cover of the band's album Music from Big Pink.

Are Elvis Presley records worth anything?

Some are. Early pressings in good shape can sell for a lot. Most records you find in a box at home are common ones, and those are usually worth much less.