Books > FAC 461 Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album < Launch event @ Central Saint Martins, 19 June 2006 < Launch event @ Urbis, 13 July 2006 < Peter Saville < 8vo < Central Station Design < Designers

"Several years in the making, this book, by Matthew Robertson, is the first and definitive overview of the artwork of the seminal Manchester-based Factory label, covering its iconic record sleeves, posters, ephemera, venues and packaging. After a foreword by the founder of Factory, Tony Wilson, an introductory essay discusses the label's role in bringing design to the mainstream. Thereafter, the book is organized as a generously illustrated catalogue, arranged by the famous Factory reference system. Factory Works, as part of the story, has been given its own reference number - FAC 461 - making it a collectable item in its own right."

Credits

Title: FAC 461 Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album
Author: Matthew Robertson (with a foreword by Anthony Wilson)
Format: Hardcover, 29.0cm x 25.0cm
Pages: 224, with c.400 colour illustrations
Published by: Thames and Hudson
Publication date: June 2006
Available from: Amazon.co.uk and other good retailers

Book launch @ Central Saint Martins, 19 June 2006

A packed Cochrane Theatre in central London played host to the launch event for the highly anticipated book FAC 461 Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album.

The panel, chaired by Rick Poynor, comprised author Matthew Robertson, Anthony Wilson, Pat Carroll and Peter Saville. Proceedings started slightly late as the audience, which included Richard Boon, Jarvis Cocker, Mark Holt, Karen Jackson, Ben Kelly, Glen Matlock, Julian Morey, Gonnie Rietveld, Jon Wozencroft (Heart and Soul box set images, www.touchmusic.org.uk, Colin Taylor (FAC 329 Tasty Fish), et al (Jarvis) made its way into the auditorium.

Matthew Robertson explained the rationale for the book: "Not only was I interested in Factory as an enthusiast, I was interested in Factory as a graphic designer and I was really surprised to find out that no-one has ever tackled this whole period."

Saville on getting involved with Factory: "I was envious of Malcolm. Malcolm got involved very early on with the Buzzcocks and I was very envious. It was impossible not to want to be involved in what was happening. Pop music is fundamental to your world views when you're in your teens and when something as radical as punk happens you really want to be involved... I would frequently ask Richard Boon if there was anything I could do. Eventually Richard said to me one evening 'Go and see Tony'. I didn't know Tony but because he was on television every night you kinda felt that you knew him."

Pat Carroll's revelations included relating seeing Joy Division at Salford Tech, being envious of Peter Saville ("stylish design" rather than "over-the-top shit") and the fact that his brother Matt Carroll was an original member of Happy Mondays on guitar. The Bummed sleeve was discussed but blushes were spared by the non-appearance of the inner sleeve.

AHW gave the definitive (?) line on the Blue Monday money-losing story by stating that the 2p notional profit per copy was split between New Order and Factory but that Factory had to pay the 3.5p publishing out of their 1p.

Some of the "bad" Factory sleeves were shown on screen and the question of how they "got past" any quality control was raised. "Got past what!?" was Peter Saville's retort, indicating that there was no checking. Indeed, AHW could not recall a single sleeve that they ever turned down.

Afterwards, the panel signed copies of the book (which was on sale in both hardback and paperback at a reduced price).

In addition to appearing on the book itself, the designation FAC 461 appeared on posters and the ticket for the after-party at the Old Red Lion on High Holborn.

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FAC 461 Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album; book event at Urbis 13 July 2006 - flyer

Book launch @ Urbis, Thursday 13 July 2006

Full report to follow - in the meantime, enjoy the photo gallery.

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Thanks to moist and John Washington for additional imagery. Thanks to Mathieu for the scan of the French version (merci!). Thanks to Chris Allain for the T&H promo catalogue imagery.

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The book was launched in the USA at the end of 2006. Read the reviews on LAist.com and PitchforkMedia.

FAC 461 Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album; book event @ Urbis, Thursday 13 July - Anthony Wilson, Peter Saville, Matt Carroll, Trevor Johnson and Matthew Robertson

FAC 461 Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album; book event @ Urbis, Thursday 13 July - Anthony Wilson, Peter Saville, Matt Carroll and Trevor Johnson [photo © John Washington 2006]