The Victoria and Albert Museum in London said on Tuesday it had bought the original artwork of the Rolling Stones' iconic red lips and tongue logo at auction in the United States.
The museum paid 92,500 dollars (51,700 pounds) for the logo after it was put up for sale by British artist John Pasche, who designed it in 1970. Pasche was studying at London’s Royal College of Art when Stones frontman Mick Jagger, disappointed by the designs put forward by record label Decca, began looking for a design student to help create a logo. The logo was commissioned for £50, but the Rolling Stones were so pleased with the design they gave Pasche a bonus of £200. It was sold by the Chicago-based website, Mastro Auctions.
First used on the 1971 album "Sticky Fingers", "The Tongue" is considered one of the first examples of a rock group using a trademark and remains the band's logo to this day. Independent British art charity, The Art Fund Charity, contributed 50 percent of the cost of the artwork which will go on show in the museum's permanent collection.
Image copyright: Max Nash / AFP
- Leave your comment • Category: Graphic Design, Identity, Music
- Share on Twitter, Facebook, Delicious, Digg, Reddit
