Amsel’s work for RCA Records

While Richard Amsel may best be known today for his movie posters and TV Guide covers, not to mention his iconic portraits of Bette Midler, he still achieved considerable success in other areas – and at a very, very young age.

A comprehensive list of all of Amsel’s work for record albums will be described in the forthcoming documentary and book. Today, however, I’ll focus instead just on art he created for RCA Records, in a series of classic rereleases and compilations, ranging from operettas to big bands, jazz, pop, and swing.

Amsel was the quintessential artist for such tasks, as his illustrations embodied a loving, handcrafted sense of nostalgia and sensitivity to the past.

His first contribution was in 1971, for an album featuring actor/singers Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. Unfortunately, I don’t believe this artwork was ever used. This image was published in Brad Benedict's book FAME 2: Portraits and Pop Culture.

The rest, however, I was able to confirm:

Frank Sinatra with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra – This Love of Mine (1972). This art was repurposed in subsequent re-releases.

This is Bennie Goodman Vol. II (1972)

This is Helen O’Connell (1972)

This is Maurice Chavalier (1972)

Eddy Arnold - I Love How You Love Me (1973)

30 Greatest Hits from the World’s Greatest Operettas (1974)

Amsel’s work for RCA Records alone was enough to make any illustrator envious. (I especially love those fold-out vertical pieces!)

These digital images represent the highest quality pics I could provide, following scanning and extensive digital Photoshop and cleanup work. I'm sharing them online for the first time.