How many cover variations of the album exist? And who are the people on them, left to right, up to down?

The ladies of cover variation you've posted are nameless: just drawings.

Cover variations:
Two major colour variations exist: light and dark.
Each of them is available in four variations
1. lines from top to bottom: yellow-azure-pink-green
2. lines from top to bottom: azure-pink-green-yellow
3. lines from top to bottom: pink-green-yellow-azure
4. lines from top to bottom: green-yellow-azure-pink
By now, we have 8 variations (4 light, 4 dark), in all.

On top of that, almost all of the above can be found with red and with blue album title on front. By now, we have 16 variations (4 light with red title, 4 light with blue title, 4 dark with red title, 4 dark with blue title).

As the inner sleeve is part of front cover - due to the die-cut artwork - you can reach a maximum of 32 variations (16 with the original inner sleeve, 16 with the
re-worked one).

So far, this is theory. Actually, some of the 32 possible variations have not been
reported. This depends on many a cause. Firstly, the light covers were abandoned in favour of the dark ones in July 1978, when the second inner sleeve appeared.
So, it's very hard to find the re-worked inner sleeve associated with the first cover with pale colours.

To the many variations listed above, you'd add the covers issued without die-cut
artwork: just a few worldwide.

Last but no least, do not forget one-of-a-kind covers like the black and white one issued in the USA. It's paired with a very early British album and it's said that it was proposed to Atlantic executives together with a pale and a dark cover, as a demo.

I hope I answered to your question properly. Please, write again if not,
bye Luca

Hey, many thanks for that answer, this album must be a nightmare for collectors.

One more thing. The faces on the CD versions are only drawings but on LP (all or some versions) there are real people. Some are The Stones dressed as women, some are other people. Who are those other people?

german releases:

[www.vinylstones.org]

ad hoc comparison:

[www.vinylstones.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-11-27 20:48 by TooTough.

Why so many changes in the SG album cover?

The genesis of the inner sleeve is fully explained in the book included in the
de-luxe (?!?!) boxed-set just issued. Have a read at it, it's the best answer to you question.
Bye, Luca

Thanks a lot.

Stones.

Quote
franzk


One more thing. The faces on the CD versions are only drawings but on LP (all or some versions) there are real people. Some are The Stones dressed as women, some are other people. Who are those other people?

off the top of my head (without looking)....

Lucile Ball
Raquel Welch
Farrah Fawcett
Liza Minnelli
Marilyn Monroe


IORR............but I like it!