The Mystery Continues….Who Was Harvey?

Phil Thomson of Cross Rhythms explores the mystique behind Savoy Records’ album cover artist known only as “Harvey.”

Read the article here: Cross Rhythms

TBGB Note: During an interview with Rev. Lawrence Roberts, who produced many of Savoy’s gospel albums, I learned that Harvey was a young man who lived in New York when he worked as a supplier for Savoy. The record company would provide Harvey with the theme of the album, he would go to his studio and complete the oil painting, and return it to the company in exchange for payment. Roberts said that he only knew the man as “Harvey,” but that because he was a young man at the time, he could still be alive.

I contacted the Newark Historical Society for information on the Modern Box Co. of Newark that printed the Savoy album covers, wondering whether the original oil paintings are sitting in storage somewhere, but the company is no longer in business and the historical society did not have any information.

I trust Roberts’ story about Harvey and doubt the artist was Herman Lubinsky, who would not have had any reason to be secretive about his artistic abilities. My suspicion is that the secrecy continued because of the way in which Harvey was paid. Still, given the passing of time and the influx of interest in his work, I’m surprised Harvey has not surfaced. So the mystery continues…

We’ll probably find out who Harvey is someday…right after we capture Osama Bin Laden.