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In-Store Promo Posters

Posters have been displayed in public places over the world for hundreds of years for promotion & advertising or as a posted bill. Purely text posters have a long history, they have advertised the plays of Shakespeare and made citizens aware of government proclamations for centuries. In the modern times due to the development in techniques such as lithography and later chromo-lithography posters have become visually striking, they have been designed to attract the attention of passers-by, making us aware of a political viewpoint, enticing us to attend specific events, or encouraging us to purchase a particular product or service which is literally taking the advertising to the street.

Today we are going to concentrate on posters used to promote vinyl record releases. As part of their advertising campaign, record labels would print posters to promote an artists’ newest release, where they would ship these promo posters to record stores and retail outlets for display. These posters are used as “Point Of Purchase” advertising which brings the attention of a targeted shopper to the availability of a new release. These retail posters like most ephemera were made for display and limited for one time use meaning after the release was dated the posters were discarded which is why these posters that were already in limited supply are even more scarce today.

Capitol Record Promo Poster 1964

This early Capitol Promo Poster Is for the Beatles second US Album titled “The Beatles’ Second Album” which came out in April 1964 and was only 3 months after their American debut, “Meet The Beatles”. This is an original US promotional poster that was sent out to record stores by Capitol Records for in-store display and measures a whopping 42.75″ x 58″ and promotes both Capitol albums “Meet the Beatles” T 2047 & “The Beatles’ Second Album” T 2080 on the one poster, the poster also mentions the Beatles newest hits “Can’t Do That” and “Can’t Buy Me Love”.

Capitol Records Promotional Poster 1964

A great over-sized Capitol Records (U.S.) in-store promotional poster for the Beatles This giant retail display was likely produced in 1964 or possibly early 1965. This nearly 5 foot high retail poster would have been hard to miss ! Printed in dark blue/black on a bright orange background, the Beatles are shown in full profile with the proclamation “Your Beatles Headquarters” complete with the Capitol Records logo placed over their legs. This large promo poster measures 33″ x 65″.

United Artists Records Promo Poster 1964

What a fantastic United Artist Records Poster for the Beatles “A Hard Days Night” Soundtrack (1964). This is a rare U.S. record store promotional display poster, done in a bright bold red, alerting patrons that the film soundtrack is NOW IN STOCK! This small format 12″ x 14″ poster would have been mailed to retail stores and was machine folded.

Douglas Records Lenny Bruce Promotional Poster 1965

This is a very seldom seen Lenny Bruce Douglas Records Promo Poster for the album “The Essential Lenny Bruce Politics”. The album did not sell well, at this period of Lennys career he was always a little disconnected and scattered but the production on this album manage to make things even more disconnected by adding echo effects, and by dropping in random sound bites from politicians and other public figures but treatment aside, there are a number of important bits on this album.

Decca Records Promotional Poster 1965

This is a stunning 1965 Decca Records promo poster from Germany advertising the record releases to date by the Rolling Stones. The poster reads “They have been in Germany, and are still here on Decca Records.” The Stones toured Germany in September 1965; and they released ‘Satisfaction’ promoted here as their latest hit and ‘Out Of Our Heads’ their latest LP easily dating this Decca poster which measures 12′ x 17 3/4.’

Capitol Records Promo Poster 1965

This Capitol Records in-store promotional poster is for The Beatles sixth Capitol U.S. release titled “Rubber Soul”. Their sound was more mature, gleaning influences from artist such as Bob Dylan, the Byrds, even Indian Raga music but it was unmistakably the Fab Four in their finest moment to date. This rare record store promo poster was produced by Capitol Records in 1965, and measures approximately 22″ x 34″.

The Acid Test Album Promo Poster 1966

This is a very rare promotional poster for the 1966 album “The Acid Test.” Bay Area recording studio Sound City recorded as their first session an in-studio Acid Test with Ken Kesey, the Grateful Dead, and members of the Merry Pranksters and issued it on their small local label. It sold very poorly, This 1966 promo poster for the album, utilizes the cover artwork but measures 14″ square.

Verve Records Promo Poster 1967

This is a great Verve promotional poster for Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention promoting the release of their second album “Absolutely Free” with a great shot of Zappa pointing the neck of his 12-string Hagstrom guitar at the camera, while the rest of the band piles up on the floor behind him. This record store promo poster is printed in black and white and measures approximately 17 3/4″ x 25 3/16″.

Track Records Promo Poster Rush Release 1967

This is a Jimi Hendrix record industry promo poster for Jimi’s third single “The Wind Cries Mary” The single is pressed on Track Records in the UK. This rare poster which exclaims a rush release was machine folded and Inserted into the May 5, 1967 issue of UK trade publication “Record Retailer and Music Industry News” this scarce poster measures 12″ x 15,”

Capitol Records Promo Poster 1967

Back in the glorious sixties, each new album by the Beatles was always a highly anticipated event, but nothing had prepared fans for the masterpiece that was Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club. It was the musical benchmark of an entire generation, and has continued to impress, influence, and astound generations to come. This is an original Capitol U.S. promo poster for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club, one that would have hung in record stores during the LP’s initial release. The poster measures approximately 25″ x 31.5″.

Atco Records Promo Poster 1967

An extremely rare 1967 promo poster for Buffalo Springfield’s second album (and masterpiece,) "Buffalo Springfield Again." This is one of the largest promo posters we’ve ever seen, measuring 34" x 42"

Harvest Records Promo Poster 1968

A beautiful 1968 French Pink Floyd promotional poster made by their French record company, Harvest/Pathe Marconi. This wonderful promo poster measures 15″ x 23″ and includes the printer credits “Lalande-Courbet 91″.

Regal Zonophone Records UK Promo Poster 1968

This is an outstanding Regal Zonophone Records UK in-store promo poster from 1968 for the first Tyrannosaurus Rex album titled “My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair… But Now They’re Content To Wear Stars On Their Brows”. Glam Rock icon Marc Bolan turns in this minimalist effort with Bolan on vocals and guitar and Steve Took on percussion.

Verve Promo Poster 1968

A huge and very rare 1968 Verve Records promo poster which was made to advertise the Velvet Undergrounds release of their second album “White Light/White Heat.” This large promotional poster measures 30″ x 46″

Did You Know ??

After the disappointing sales of the Velvet Underground’s first album, “The Velvet Underground & Nico” (1967), the band’s relationship with Andy Warhol deteriorated. They toured throughout most of 1967. Many of their live performances featured noisy improvisations that would become key elements on “White Light/White Heat”. The band eventually fired Warhol and parted ways with Nico and went on to record their second album “White Light/White Heat” with Tom Wilson receiving credits as producer.

RCA Victor Promotional Poster 1969

A fantastic RCA Victor Records In-Store Promotional Poster for Elvis Presleys’ “Suspicious Minds” 47-9764 (1969). The King launched a new Las Vegas era in 1969, and it was also the year of his first #1 single in over six years, “Suspicious Minds”. This rare RCA record store promo poster measures 9″ x 18″.

Warner Brothers Promo Poster 1970

This is a great Warner Brothers Records in-store promo poster for the Grateful Deads’ sixth studio album titled “American Beauty” which was released in 1970. The album cover art work for “American Beauty” was created by veteran psychedelic artists Anton Kelley & Stanley “Mouse” Miller.

Rolling Stone Records Promotional Poster 1971

This is a stellar poster for a stellar album, The Rolling Stones “Exile On Main Street” US record store promo poster from Rolling Stones Records, designed by graphic artist John Van Hamersveld, from Robert Frank photograph Tattoo Parlor, 8th Avenue New York City from 1971. This in-store promotional poster measures 27 1/4″ x 20 1/4″.

Grateful Dead Records Promo Poster 1973

This promotional poster is for the Grateful Deads’ album “Wake of the Flood” which was the first title released on the Deads’ new record label Grateful Dead Records. The art work for this record store promo poster was supplied by graphic artist Rick Griffin and measures approximately 17″ x 23″. The Rick Griffin “Raven” art work was also used as the logo art on the record labels.

Grateful Dead Records “The Raven” 1973

The Raven, was as originally seen on the Grateful Dead’s 1973 “Wake of the Flood” studio album, the Raven stars here on this generic poster promoting the band. The album “Wake of the Flood” was the first release on the new Grateful Dead record label. This is an in-store promo poster sent out to plug the band and the new record label. It’s a first printing poster, measuring approximately 14″ x 22″ with poster graphics done by veteran psychedelic artist Rick Griffin.

Warner Bros/Reprise Records Promo Poster 1973

This is a fantastic soundtrack poster for “Jimi Hendrix” Warner Brothers, 1973, soundtrack available on Reprise Records. Jimi Hendrix is a 1973 rockumentary about Jimi Hendrix, three years after the death of Jimi Hendrix, Warner Brothers released this visual compilation documentary about Jimi’s life in rock and roll, directed and produced by Joe Boyd, John Head and Gary Weis. The film contains concert footage from 1967 to 1970, including the Monterey Pop Festival the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, Woodstock and a Berkeley concert. Poster measures 21″ X 29″.

Warner Brothers Records Promo Poster 1973

This is a Warner Brothers Records In-store promotional poster for the soundtrack to the 1973 movie “Enter the Dragon” Starring Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Kien Shih, Ahna Capri, Angela Mao Ying, Jim Kelly, Robert Wall, Jackie Chan, and Sammo Hung Kam-Bo. Directed by Robert Clouse. This record store poster measures 18″ X 27.5″

Apple Records Promo Poster 1973

A very rare UK Apple Records promotional poster for the Beatles’ 1973 album releases refereed to as “The Red Album 1962-1966” and “The Blue Album 1967-1970” each set contained two long play records. This record store promo poster measures 19 3/4″ x 29 3/4″.

RCA Victor Promo Poster 1975

Bodacious DF RCA Victor Promo Poster (1975) Amidst the turmoil of the early ’70s, members of the Jefferson Airplane / Starship began work on their own projects. It was during this time that singer Marty Balin formed his first group Bodacious DF. They recorded one album in 1974 that still receives airplay today. The trippy artwork, featuring starships, is by the late Bob Fried. This is a rare record store promo poster, Its overall size is 18.5″ x 25

20th Century Fox Records Promo Poster 1977

This super rare poster was issued by 20th Century Fox to promote the legendary Star Wars soundtrack in record stores. John Williams Conducts the London Symphony Orchestra for this soundtrack that Williams scored. This poster was never for sale or given away to the public. The illustration of Darth Vader is the same as that on the album jacket. The poster was printed on a special silver mylar paper.and is by Graphic Artist Tom Jung.

Arista Records Promo Poster 1977

This is an Arista Records in-store promotional poster for the Grateful Dead studio album “Terrapin Station”. This was the Deads’ eighth studio album and was their first album on Arista Records the graphic art & design are the same as the album and were supplied by the veteren psycedelic art team of Alton Kelley & Stanley “Mouse” Miller from Mouse Studios

20th Century Fox Records Promo Poster 1977

This special 20th Century Fox in-store promotional poster for this soundtrack release is getting increasingly hard to find. The Story-line is Narrated by Roscoe Lee Browne and produced by George Lucas. The soundtrack had an abridged version of the main events in the film. Featuring everyone’s favorite droid duo, R2-D2 and C-3PO, this rare promo poster pictures the two on Tatooine.and measures 23″” X 33.25″

Rolling Stone Records Promo Poster 1978

This is a scarce cardboard boxing-style record store promotional poster advertising the Rolling Stones 1978 album “Some Girls” which was on Rolling Stone Records and features the withdrawn artwork with images of Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, Farrah Fawcett and others. These record store promo posters were printed by Colby Posters of Los Angeles, and measures 14″ x 22″.

Did You Know ??

The cover for The Rolling Stones album “Some Girls” was designed by Peter Corriston w/ illustrations by Hubert Kretzschmar., who would in-turn design the next three Stones album covers as well. An elaborate die-cut design, with colors varying on different sleeves, it featured The Rolling Stones in drag alongside select female celebrities in lingerie and beauty ads. The cover immediately ran into trouble when Lucille Ball, Farrah Fawcett, Liza Minnelli who was representing her mother Judy Garland, Raquel Welch, and the estate of Marilyn Monroe all threatened legal action. The album was quickly reissued with a revised cover that removed all the celebrities whether they had complained or not, and were replaced with black and punk style colors with the phrase Pardon our appearance – cover under re-construction.

New World Pictures Soundtrack Promo Poster 1979

New World Pictures presents The Ramones Rock ‘N’ Roll High School Record Store Promotional Poster for Movie Soudtrack with Original Art by William Stout, Watercolor, pastel, and charcoal on illustration board, depicting whimsical images of movies main stars P.J. Soles, Vincent Van Patten, Clint Howard plus all members of The Ramones this was also used as the main image for the cult film’s advertising campaign, signed in the lower right corner “1979 / Wm / Stout”

Columbia Records Promo Poster 1980

This is a great promo poster for Pink Floyds’ classic double album release “The Wall” PC2 36183 on Columbia Records. Roger Waters hit his creativestride with Pink Floyd on this massive album and tour, which was eventually made into a major motion picture. This is an original record store promotional poster from 1979 which measures 33″ x 48.

RSO Records Soundtrack Promo Poster 1980

In-Store Promotional Soundtrack Poster for Star Wars “The Empire Strikes Back” on RSO Records and measures 22″ X 33″ (1980) The soundtrack was written and conducted by John Williams who created a brilliant score for the George Lucas’ monumental Star Wars saga. The soundtracks were a big hit with fans of the series, who would rush out to record stores to purchase the albums.

Arista Records Promo Poster 1980

The Allman Brothers Band “Reach For the Sky” Arista Records (1980) In-Store Promotional Poster. This was the seventh album by the Allman Brothers and the first not on Capricorn Records and was also the first album to feature only songs by the band. This poster measures 24″ x 36″.

RSO Records Promo Poster 1983

This is a great Star Wars “Return of the Jedi” promotional poster for the John Williams soundtrack. Williams created brilliant scores of music for George Lucas’ epic Star Wars saga. which were a big hit with fans of the series, who would rush out to record stores to purchase the albums. This In-Store Promo Poster was for this the third movie in the series “Return of the Jedi” and also promotes the first two soundtrack releases as well.

Epic Records Promo Poster

This is a great Molly Hatchet poster from Epic Records promoting their 1984 album “The Deed is Done” which was their sixth studio album. The band is known for its lavish fantasy inspired album cover artwork from the likes of Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, Paul R. Gregory, and in this case, Ezra Tucker.

Arista Records Promo Poster

This is a fun Arista promo poster for the 1987 release of the Grateful Dead​’s Album, “In the Dark.” The album was so named because the Dead recorded the entire album in a darkened theater with concert stage lighting to capture the live “feel” of the songs. Starring Jerry Garcia​, Bob Weir​, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann​, Mickey Hart​. Directed by Jerry Garcia and Leon Gast.

EMI Promo Poster 2001

A Fantastic French EMI promo poster for Pink Floyds “Echos” a best of release which was a double CD with 26 remastered tracks. The art work was provided by graphic artist Storm Thorgerson who was involved in most of the Pink Floyd albums and was half of the design team of Hipgnosis who consisted of Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell, and later Peter Christopherson. The group dissolved in 1983, though Thorgerson worked on album designs until his death on 18 April 2013.

Sony Entertainment Promotional Poster 2002

This is a bold In-Store Promotional Poster for the epic space opera Star Wars – Episode II “Attack of the Clones” Soundtrack this record store promo poster measures 24″ X 36″ (2002) The Music Score Composed and Conducted by John Williams, Starring Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Christopher Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, Ahmed Best, Daniel Logan, Anthony Daniels. Directed by George Lucas.

Copyright Disclaimer

I make no copyright claims on the video content or images of drawings, paintings, prints, or other two-dimensional works of art contained with-in this article, the copyright for these items are most likely owned by either the artist who produced the image, or the person who commissioned the work and or their heirs. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

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