Hot 5

The original artwork for Armstrong’s Hot 5 no longer exists so this is a very special limited edition run of prints, created from a well-preserved printer’s proof in the family archives and uniquely signed by Jim Flora’s son Joel. The original album was a 1947 reissue of 1920s material. The 78 set was part of Columbia’s Hot Jazz Series, for which Flora also designed covers for albums featuring early sides by Gene Krupa, Jimmy Dorsey, Sidney Bechet, Bix & Tram, and Kid Ory.

Flora was no longer art director when he did this cover. He had been promoted to advertising manager in 1945, and then sales promotion manager before resigning from the company in 1950 and moving to Mexico. The AD in 1947 was Robert M. Jones, a legendary album and book cover designer and art director, who was a friend of Flora from their first meeting in 1945 to RMJ’s death in 1992. He commissioned several covers from Flora during his time at Columbia and this image is a shining example of the wonderful work that came out of that creative relationship.

ONLY FIVE PRINTS REMAINING FROM THE EDITION.

It was published by Flora’s estate, using a beautiful heavyweight rag paper by Hahnemühle, and we are very proud to be able to offer it, exclusively, here at Hypergallery. As well as being numbered in pencil and signed by the artist’s son, Joel, each print is authenticated with a publisher’s seal on the reverse.