Collecting Vinyl Records: Determining Jacket Cover Condition

Last but not least are the jackets, or the paper sleeves records came in. First on the list are covers for 78s and 45s. Many early sleeves were either plain or printed paper with record label promotions. While it is nice to have the original paper sleeve, they do not usually affect a record's market value.

Occasionally 45s and sometimes 78s came in what are known as 'picture sleeves'. These were paper sleeves (sometimes cardboard) usually printed with color photos of the artists and text of some kind. In most respects picture sleeves are graded similar to their counterparts, the LP jacket. So most of the following information can be applied to any of them.

There are three things to consider when grading jackets or sleeves: creases, edges and wear. Collectors of 45s are a little more forgiving when it comes to picture sleeve creases. The paper is so delicate even minor light creases are common, especially near the opening. For LP jackets creases will definitely lower its grade to a degree. Some LP jacket creases are light, and only affect one side of the jacket. One exception is Imported LP jackets. They are made of thinner cardboard and often have tiny creases horizontal to the jacket edges.

The edges of jackets and sleeves are important too. Wear is often the culprit. The edge wear begins with spotting on the 'top paper' that is glued to the cardboard. Depending on how the jacket is stored or handled, the edges continue to wear past the top paper into the cardboard, eventually causing a seam split. Seam splits can be caused from removing or returning the vinyl to the jacket or sleeve. Sometimes the vinyl itself will cause a seam split from storage. This is very common with paper sleeves due to their fragile nature.

Take note that some seam splits are not really seam splits at all. The manufacturers of LP covers often used different techniques in the way they made jackets over the years. For example some jackets issued by Elektra and UNI record labels were known as 'UNI-PAK' jackets. These are gatefold jackets (opens like a book) that you insert the vinyl inside the fold. Other gatefolds have the opening facing outwards. Oftentimes you will see UNI-PAK jackets with a common defect. The glue holding the jacket together would often dry out, and the cardboard would detach at the seams.

This is not really a seam split. It does not usually affect the jacket's grade, and is an easy fix. I have even seen some manufacturers scrimp on cardboard to cut down on costs. Cardboard edges on jackets generally overlap, normally folded over and glued. Some later manufacturers folded the cardboard but had it meet at the edges, letting the top paper hold it all together. Naturally the paper would eventually tear, causing a seam split. This will lower the jacket's grade of course, but I consider it a factory defect.

Lastly is ring wear. Ring wear on jackets is caused by storage. Records are stored next to each other. They have to be. Protective plastic covers will help prevent any further wear, but ring wear is common to used record jackets in varying degrees. What causes jacket ring wear is the vinyl record. Usually thicker than cardboard, especially with older vinyl, the mere pressure of being stored with others first causes an indentation. Pulling records out to play adds to the ring wear.

Like the edges ring wear starts with minor spotting then increases as time goes on. It usually begins with light signs of wear near the surface top and bottom of both sides. Depending on the degree of the wear and how it is printed, this may not have an effect on the jacket image or text. Some collectors will accept a jacket with minor ring wear such as this.

As ring wear progresses it will become more defined on the jacket in the shape of the vinyl record perimeter, hence the ring in ring wear. The center of a record is usually thicker, and will quickly add to ring wear in that shape. Wear can even spread to other areas of later jackets that contain thinner vinyl.

Sometimes jackets have defects caused by the manufacturing process. There may be tiny areas where the top paper has been folded over and pressed, looking like a crease. A gatefold jacket spine may have been pressed flat. The top paper on the cardboard may be slightly misaligned. Sometimes these defects can be overlooked if they are minor. Other times a factory defect could make the record even more rare. You never know.

There are always exceptions to any of these general guidelines to determining record condition. It all depends on what a particular collector is looking for. Although they vary, accepted standards are in place to determine how condition affects the record's grade, and in turn its value. So grading systems used by record collectors and dealers will be the topic of our next article. Until then, happy hunting!