In 1938 the new design director of Columbia Records, Alex Steinweiss, designed his record covers as posters in miniature, with eye-catching graphics, distinctive and vivid colours, and creative, often playful typography. Thus was born the illustrated album cover. With it, Steinweiss changed the way in which music was marketed, and developed not only a unique visual language of design, but an entire art form. This book tracks the career of the Brooklyn-born designer, including his work for Columbia and Decca Records.