Mischievous Art of Jim Flora

by Jim Flora, Irwin Chusid (ed)

by Irwin Chusid
11 x 10, SC, 180 pages, FC, $34.95
The first collection of the marvelous, mischievous album cover art of Jim Flora (1914-1998), collecting most of his known covers. The book also includes rarely seen illustrations and covers from Columbia's "Coda" trade journal and elsewhere.

Genres: Art

180 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

James (Jim) Flora is best-known for his wild jazz and classical album covers for Columbia Records (late 1940s) and RCA Victor (1950s). He authored and illustrated 17 popular children’s books and flourished for decades as a busy magazine illustrator. Few realize, however, that Flora was also a prolific fine artist with a devilish sense of humor and a flair for juxtaposing playfulness, absurdity and violence.

Jim Flora also wrote and illustrated seventeen popular books for children. Jim Flora’s fantastically illustrated books captivated kids throughout the 1960s and 70s, so much so that secondhand copies sell for exorbitant sums. Grandpa’s Ghost Stories has been the most sought-after of his children’s books.

Reviews

[Scott Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tosh's mention of Gene Deitch reminded me how much I love the work of illustrator Jim Flora. Back when I had my own bookstore, Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens came by one day and our discussion of illustrator Richard Powers led to a chat about Flora's work for Columbia Records. I had a vinyl copy of "Inside Sauter-Finegan" behind the counter which I handed over (refusing any payment) and DiNizio responded with a promo cd of his solo album.

Anyway, this is a beautiful book.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fellow was full of delight! A new discovery for me! Inspiring!