Vogue Picture Discs
Vogue Picture Discs are a unique form of vinyl records created in the mid-1940s. Unlike traditional vinyl records, which have a plain black surface with label information printed on them, these records feature an illustration pressed between two transparent layers of vinyl. These picture discs displayed striking visual designs on both sides of the record, usually romantic in theme, and complemented the recorded track.
Vogue Picture Discs, produced by Sav-Way Industries, represent a specific subset of the picture disc. Based in Detroit, Michigan, Sav-Way Industries was notable for producing picture discs for various record labels, including Vogue Records. The partnership between Vogue Records and Sav-Way Industries resulted in the production of limited-edition picture discs that became sought-after collectibles among vinyl enthusiasts. These discs were often released alongside standard vinyl editions of albums, providing fans with a visually appealing alternative to traditional records.
Unlike other picture discs, those produced by Sav-Way boasted increased sound quality due to the printing process used to apply the images to the vinyl surface. Their unique visual appeal, sound quality, and rarity make them highly prized among collectors.
Due to the company’s liquidation, Sav-Way Industries only produced Vogue Picture Discs from May 1946 to April 1947, during which approximately seventy-four 10-inch illustrated record designs were produced. Even with their limited release, Vogue Picture Discs produced by Sav-Way Industries are part of the broader history of both picture discs and the vinyl record industry, reflecting the creativity and innovation that emerged during the heyday of vinyl record production in the 1940s and beyond.
