My policy is that if the original sleeve has any art/advertising or other data on it then it must be kept, without it the LP is not in original condition. If it's just a plain unadorned sleeve I discard it. While I've never seen anyone note the inclusion of original sleeves other than the lyric types it always seems to me best policy to do this
What to do with old LP inner sleeve?
I've begun to purge my older vinyl collection to only keep the near pristine ones and now I find myself at a crossroad as to what to do with the older inner sleeves that have advertisement on them. I'm talking about the ones where the companies like Verve, Columbia, to name a few, that advertise with the pictures of albums of other artists on their label. They have no liner notes or lyrics, just company promo. Do these sleeves add any value to the LP should I decide to sell it to another collector? I'd much rather throw them away, as it makes it a slight bit tighter with the replacement sleeve which has more layers. What is the general consensus amongst you all?
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Wow folkfreak. You saved me from chucking the baby out with the wash water. It never dawned on me that the advertising dates the period of the recording. I just picked up off the floor an inner sleeve that has a picture of a Columbia model 632 stereophonic console phonograph as part of the advertising. Not realizing that that advertising helps with the provenance of the recording, so to speak. And I was about to put it into my recycling. From this point on I'll only discard the plan sleeves. And place the old one back in, even though it may be a bit snug. |
If it's so snug it risks damaging the outer sleeve how about putting it in the clear LP jacket that you're storing your LPs in, i.e. outside the LP sleeve -- if you use a nice well sized one like this you will have plenty of room http://www.sleevecityusa.com/ultimate-outer-5-0-record-sleeve-p/9390.htm |
Funny you should recommend Sleeve City. That is the company that I use for my inner sleeves. It's the extra protective layers that causes the snug fit. But any protective sleeve that is bought will serve up the same situation. I was going to purchase some outer sleeves anyway, so this new occurrence just pushes the call up a little sooner. Thanks again for the enlightenment and information. Just proves again that when you think you know it all, you don't know it all. |
Thanks @skipping appreciate the kind words on my system. Just been enjoying my digital rig this morning appreciating switching to the DSD outputs on the upsampler, with some new digital cables this has really come into its own and sounds very analog. I've got a DCS Vivaldi on order so that should be another step up still the record player outdoes the digital rig most of the time, for that I'm looking into a Herzan stabilizer and we'll see what that does anyway look after your LPs and they'll look after you! |
In terms of collectability or monetary value, the original sleeve adds nothing, unless it is particular to the record. Standard printed company sleeves are utterly worthless. Blue Note sleeves included. That being said, I always keep original sleeves with any vintage record that I obtain, printed or no. |
One thought... If it's a record that's played 'semi-often', substitute a generic sleeve for the original. Store the originals in a file, labeling same as to what it goes to. In that way, the sleeve is spared the wear 'n tear of the old in 'n out. Old paper is old paper after all, and time doth take it's toll... Or, better...dup it if it's a real collectible. Play the original only when you Absolutely Have To. Entropy is inevitable.... |
@testpilot you read my mind! Yes, I do like it ;-) I use MoFi inner sleeves, however, if there is anything special about the original inner sleeve (even if it's just a cardboard stock in black color, like recent 180g reissues of Dead Can Dance), then I use "NAGAOKA No.102 anti-static record sleeves". They fit nicely inside any inner paper sleeves, and keep LPs safe from all the goodies mentioned by @testpilot this is how they look: http://www.analogueseduction.net/sleeves/nagaoka-record-inner-sleeves-pack-of-50.html and available from Amazon or eBay (surprisingly, not from AcousticSounds or MusicDirect) I discovered them quite accidentally, when searching for the similar "inner sleeves" for Japanese Mini-LP CDs which I just cannot stop collecting: they are so cute, especially in those neat "promo" boxes. Total waste of money though... |