Tags: Album Art

The obvious rules are easy, but the real danger lies in the "silent killers"—habits that destroy a collection while the curator believes they are protecting it. In this field guide, we expose the destructive nature of shrink wrap (it strangles the jacket), PVC sleeves (they gas the vinyl), and the "shelf vise" (compression kills). We also tackle the math of dirty styli and the physics of sunlight. The goal is to ensure preservation does not become destruction.

A guide for vinyl collectors on identifying first pressings. Learn to read matrix numbers, dead wax, labels, and jackets to find the original artifact and avoid reissues.

Go beyond the music. Discover the lost art of liner notes and how they connect you to the album's story, creators, and secret history in a way digital streaming never will.