I leave it in your capable hands

For their ninth studio album, Sticky Fingers, The Rolling Stones asked Andy Warhol to design what would become one of the most popular album covers of all time. The sleeve featured a shot of Joe Dallesandro's crotch, with workable zip, and for the first time showcased the band's tongue and lips logo, as designed by John Pasche. Below is a letter from Jagger to Warhol, concerning the work, in which he politely warns the artist of production difficulties associated with complex sleeve designs. Warhol obviously took no notice and produced a cover which caused all manner of problems, most notably scratched copies of the record itself and damage to any albums which were placed on top of Sticky Fingers during distribution.

Transcript follows. Image courtesy of Intervention.org (direct link now 404'd).

Image: Intervention.org

Transcript

21st April, 1969

Andy Warhol,
33 Union Square,
W.N.Y.10003
NEW YORK

Dear Andy,

I'm really pleased you can do the art-work for our new hits album. Here are 2 boxes of material which you can use, and the record.

In my short sweet experience, the more complicated the format of the album, e.g. more complex than just pages or fold-out, the more fucked-up the reproduction and agonising the delays. But, having said that, I leave it in your capable hands to do what ever you want...........and please write back saying how much money you would like.

Doubtless a Mr.Al Steckler will contact you in New York, with any further information. He will probably look nervous and say "Hurry up" but take little notice.

Love,

(Signed)

MICK JAGGER