An exceedingly rare prototype glass plate hologram, used during the production of Prince’s album Diamonds and Pearls.

This glass plate prototype hologram, likely one of two produced, was made during the production of the hologram used on the Diamonds and Pearls CD cover.

Recordmecca’s Jeff Gold, a former executive vice president/general manager of Warner Bros. Records, was the art director for Diamonds and Pearls, working closely with Prince on the album cover. Prior to the manufacture of millions of holograms for the album cover, Gold received an identical glass plate hologram for his and Prince’s approval. This second prototype, the only other one known to exist, was sold to a Los Angeles area record store, undoubtedly by an employee of the company that produced the holograms. It is exactly the same as the prototype Prince approved for Gold at Larrabee Studios in West Hollywood (Prince was astounded by the hologram, later writing Gold a rare thank you note for the ‘cool cover’.)

The prototype is made of two pieces of glass sandwiched together; the bottom piece has a silvered surface with the prototype hologram appearing near the middle. There is some pitting to the silvered surface, likely a result of the production process. There is a black card attached to the top piece, with a window revealing the hologram. Originally this was taped together on all sides, but when we acquired it the tape was open on three sides.

8 7/8″ square. In very good condition. With Jeff Gold’s letter of authenticity, noting that this is one of only two existing examples.