Musical Album Appraisal

Irving Berlin's "Call Me Madam" Decca Original Sound Track Album

This item is a 10-inch vinyl record album (LP) cover for the original sound track of Irving Berlin's 'Call Me Madam,' a 20th Century Technicolor Production. The cover features a vibrant design dominated by red and yellow diagonal stripes at the top and bottom. The primary color of the album sleeve appears to be red, with a significant yellow diagonal band intersecting it. The artwork depicts three caricatured figures representing the main stars: Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, and George Sanders, whose names are prominently displayed at the bottom of the cover in white and, in O'Connor's case, yellow lettering. Ethel Merman is shown in a long gown with her arms raised, O'Connor in a suit looking towards Merman, and Sanders in a tuxedo holding a drink. Musical notes and small star-like confetti dots are scattered across the design, emphasizing the musical nature of the recording. The 'Decca Records' logo is clearly visible in the upper right quadrant, framed in a black box. In the upper left, 'DL 5460' is printed, likely indicating the catalog number. 'A Decca Original Sound Track Album from 20th Century Technicolor Production' is also printed near the top. The overall condition of the cover shows signs of age and wear, including visible scuff marks, scratches, and potential areas of discoloration, particularly along the edges and corners. There are also some darker spots or smudges visible on the red background, suggesting accumulated dirt or minor staining. The edges appear somewhat frayed and worn, consistent with a vintage paper or cardboard product that has been handled over many years. Despite these imperfections, the graphics and text remain largely legible. The album likely dates from the early 1950s, given the film's release in 1953, and represents a popular culture artifact from that era. Its quality is typical of standard record album packaging from the time, designed for both aesthetic appeal and protection of the vinyl.