Originally pioneered by German record company Odeon in 1909 with Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’ suite, the album cover became more than just a protective sleeve. By the 1950s, imagery was important in marketing the music within and a whole culture was born, with its own industry and support acts, with photographers, artists and cartoonists all making their mark alongside bands.

History of Album Artwork - via The Importance of Album Art in the Digital Age

(Source: wilkinsky.us)