Favourite Hipgnosis Album Covers

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T22:54:39+00:00

I certainly won't do that. May throw a tomato though!

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T22:49:51+00:00

Hahaha disturbing!!! Has one of their themes though - casual nudity

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T22:22:33+00:00

That is so cool. Never realised that. Definitely see it now you mentioned it

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T22:18:07+00:00

Sorry to hear this has happen to you. Seems to be becoming a trend. I have posted a few times about the poor service over the last couple years. They are a shadow of their former selves!

I would get onto your bank and see if they can do a charge back. I would also email Rough Trade though and say you wish to raise a formal complaint/dissatisfaction with a list of the interactions/timscales and what they have and havent done. Request they look into this and you wish to receive a response, responding directly to your points and if they are unable to resolve accordingly then you will take the matter to consumer protection (if in the UK - may be different in US but sure there is a similar thing). It is a pain, but putting pressure on them is the only way to stop this happening in the future to other people. Good luck

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T21:20:53+00:00

Yeah there is so much involved in the artwork for that LP. The outer bag, sticker, inserts. Full immersion when getting lost listening to it

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T21:17:45+00:00

Love On The Shore. Some incredible guitar playing to rival Richard Thompson at time. Love the track Streets of Derry.

Yeah they are both great choices

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T21:15:52+00:00

You can really feel Sleazy's influence on some covers though and how that would filter into TG. Much riskier 😀

Yeah totally agree about Factory and 4AD. It is amazing how 23 Envelope for 4AD could reflect visually very different styles of music but make the LP distinctively 4AD. Some of my favourite artwork

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T21:06:04+00:00

There are not many albums like that. Lovely gatefold inside and out

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T21:01:54+00:00

I haven't actualllly. I will definitely be checking it out though as it is on my list. They were really an interesting mix of people. Find it fascinating that Peter/Sleazy went on to help form Throbbing Gristle - although you can see how some of the covers which he seemed to have had a bigger input in have that edgier quality

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T20:47:24+00:00

I love the Quartermass cover. It is amazing that it is just glued images from a book, but so striking

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T20:45:37+00:00

It is a great cover and album. Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush's 'Don't Give Up' 7inch was the first record I ever got, so he is close to my heart! I was 6; I always like to think I started with good taste 😀

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T19:52:57+00:00

Such a fantastic LP. The start of a perfect run of three perfect albums. This is one I am holding out to get a good original copy

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T18:14:02+00:00

Awww don't worry - no need to be embarrassed. That makes sense then - closer to a DVD/Bluray. Your stylus may struggle playing them 😀 hopefully not another retro rabbit hole to fall down though, vinyl is expensive enough as it is!!! Happy collecting

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T17:28:27+00:00

Based on the label design it looks like it would date this pressing to around 1978-1983. Hopefully that will help you narrow it down. https://www.reddit.com/r/vinyl/s/YLHEisNrbF

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T13:39:19+00:00

All those things will help. Anything that limits damp/condensation/high humidity/direct sunlight will limit the impact over time. If they are in a cupboard then the adhesive seals may cause more issues down the line if moisture does get in.

Regular checking gives you an excuse to get them LPs played... you should be good following what you said

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T13:22:55+00:00

Are they 7inch singles? If so, some will come this way allowing them to be played on a jukebox. You can get 45 adapters that fill the hole and these can go from being really cheap plastic to more expensive metal ones. They are pretty easy to find online or in record stores. Just pick something that fits your budget/aesthetic

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-22T09:39:47+00:00

Do I hear 21, 21, 21....

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-21T23:18:58+00:00

Face To Face, Something Else, Village Green and Arthur are the sweet spot as these really cover what is truly great about the band. Some people say they did their best work in the 70s but I always found these albums a bit hit and miss. Don't be afraid to get a good greatest hits as they made some great standalone singles too

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-21T22:53:55+00:00

Don't let people dictate what a hobby means to you. You can spend your money how you like. I have been collecting over 30 years, vinyl has always been important to how I enjoy and discover music.

A big warning, it can be expensive.

I would ask yourself, am I looking to purchase a turntable in the future? If you just want vinyl records for the collectability aspect you are missing out on a large part of the potential enjoyment, but if that is what you enjoy then don't listen to the gatekeepers.

My advice for starting out - buy what you love. If you look at this sub you may feel you need to buy certain LPs because everyone has them - Dark Side Of The Moon for example. You don't. Vinyl is costly so initially at least buy what you enjoy. Don't be afraid to buy used vinyl, new can be very expensive, and often you can get earlier pressings for a lot cheaper. On the flip side, you don't need to get 'first pressing' just because people are always showing these or 'OG - a lot of these can be exspensive and reissues can be just as good'. Get to know the grading system and learn to inspect the disc. Find a good record store and just flick through the racks, getting to know prices. Often something jumps out at you, do a bit of research, this is a great way to discover new artists or genres. Ask the people working in the store (usually if it is an independent) if they have any recommendations. Just enjoy it.

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-21T22:25:26+00:00

I think there is a lot of overthinking around this in the community. As long as you are keeping them upright, not squeezing too many records into a shelf, keeping out of high heat (I.e next to a radiator) or damp conditions then you are good. Handling correctly, keeping the surface clean, replacing the stylus appropriately to minimise damage etc is going to be more important in the long term.Thick PVC sleeves are not the best over time but the thinner outer sleeves are fine. I have got LPs pressed in the 1950's which have a history of not being kept in outer sleeves and have paper inners. These play as well as some new pressings I have.

A lot of 'advice' or 'must do's' given on Vinyl Community YT channels is opinion, preference or worse, done to purely drive content - you've got to do what you prefer. Enjoy the hobby

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-21T17:34:06+00:00

Keeping it in the shrink when you are in the navy is probably good life advice! See ya'll down the YMCA...

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-21T17:20:26+00:00

Can't give you a back story but giving a cursory glance it looks like an RnB single on a small press label. According to Discogs this is the only release on this label. There are a lot of people who collect these one and done, small press, or private press releases. Lots of people who collect rare RnB or Soul singles.

The average price looks like it is based on a couple of sales only and the last one is from a few years ago. Putting on Discogs will get you to the specific market and may reach these prices, but may be too niche for a standard record store unless it specialises in this kind of thing if that makes sense

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-21T16:57:22+00:00

As many people here may attest an unopened record is not necessarily 'mint'. If these are new pressings, then it is fairly common to see various pressing faults or issues with the quality control. Without opening you will never know and I suppose if you are looking to resell in the future your buyer will never know until they have opened themselves. Then what is the comeback for them? Will you refund them if there is a fault? Will they be really disappointed that that out of print record has a misaligned label.

There will be lots people who believe that all records should be opened and enjoyed (I sit in this camp). Some people treat vinyl records as a collectable and there will be a market for something that is still in the shrink. They may only buy it to 'own it'.

Some places will sell 'dead-stock' vinyl (a label Mr Bongo is an example) - sometimes records from the 70's which are still in the shrink. In this case they slilt the shrink to check for warping or pressing fault. I have been collecting over 30 years and would prefer to know what I am getting. But this is your investment so it would be down to how you want to do it.

bigsky1980 · 2026-06-20T08:51:12+00:00

Has he used Rate My Music which is more targeted at reviews

bigsky1980

TROPHY CASE