Barcelona-based Kavel Rafferty is a collector of record envelopes, the sleeves that records are stored in. She calls her sleeve collect "the little library of factory sleeves." We talked about her library and all things record envelopes in the following interview.
ephemera: Tell me about record envelopes. How did you become interested in collecting them?
Rafferty: I started collecting factory record sleeves a few years ago, I have always liked them. I seemed to spend a lot of time in record shops, junk shops, thrift stores, and at flea markets, I kept coming across them whilst rummaging. I love rare soul music and the collection started when I noticed most 60s soul came in these amazing generic company sleeves, the design is fabulous, a real inspiration. Often low budget and minimum color usage; it's fantastic what designers did within the constraints of the format and with limited color.
ephemera: Yeah, the sleeves are really cool looking. Did you begin consciously, knowing what you would collect, or did you just one day discover what you were doing?
Rafferty: It was not really a conscious decision. I collect lots of paper and print based things along with vintage china, strange animals and books; however, I am not a 'serious' collector, I just pick things up along the way… Suddenly, I had loads and decided it would be nice to share; they are such a valuable design resource, and I couldn't find a collection online. Once I started the blog people from all over the world started sending me scans—and sometimes the real sleeves in the post—I have had emails from record collectors and designers far and wide.
ephemera: What challenges or obstacles do you encounter as a collector? How do you overcome these challenges?
Rafferty: I wouldn't say there are any challenges, really, as it's quite a relaxed collection. I'm not trying to complete the collection; I'm just happy when I find something new.
ephemera: What are your favorite items in the collection?
Rafferty: I love all the sleeves for so many different reasons, but, I suppose, some of the more illustrative ones are most interesting to me, as I am an illustrator myself. I especially like the designs which incorporate the missing center circle as part of the design. The images attached are some of my personal favorites.
ephemera What resources do you recommend for people who might also like to collect sleeves?
Rafferty: I mainly use the Internet to find information on the record labels, http://www.raresoulman.co.uk/ is useful.
ephemera: Thanks, Kavel.
