The Victoria and Albert Museum buys Mick Jagger's lips at auction
The original design of The Rolling Stones' tongue and lips logo, based on lead singer Sir Mick Jagger's famous pout, has been bought by the Victoria and Albert Museum.
By Lucy Cockcroft
Last Updated: 4:57PM BST 02 Sep 2008
The image first appeared on the Stones' Sticky Fingers album
The London institution paid just under £51,000 for the iconic pop-art image, created by student John Pasche in 1970, at auction in the United States.
It will now form part of the permanent collection of the V&A, the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design.
The image first appeared on the Stones' Sticky Fingers album and has been in continuous use by the band ever since.
Sir Mick approached the Royal College of Art in London in 1969 to help him find a design student, after being frustrated by the bland designs offered by their record label Decca Records.
He visited Pasche's degree show, which led to discussions for a logo and other work for the Stones' own label, Rolling Stones Records, after the group's contract ended with Decca in 1970.
Victoria Broakes, head of exhibitions, V&A Theatre and Performance Collections, said: "The Rolling Stones' Tongue is one of the first examples of a group using branding and it has become arguably the world's most famous rock logo.
"We are delighted to have acquired the original artwork, especially as it was designed at the Royal College of Art right here in South Kensington by a student who used to visit the V&A's collections for inspiration.
"We are very grateful for the Art Fund's support in helping us acquire this exciting addition to our collections."
The Art Fund, the UK's independent art charity, contributed half the cost of the piece.
David Barrie, director of the Art Fund, said: "This iconic logo, first used on the Stones' Sticky Fingers album, is one of the most visually dynamic and innovative logos ever created.
"Designed in the UK by a British artist for one of the country's most successful groups of all time, it's wonderful that it has now found a permanent home in London, where the band was originally formed."
telegraph.co.uk
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