Charles Szabla, in his 1998 book Goldmine 45 RPM Picture Sleeve Price Guide, detailed for record collectors "It's not just your vinyl that has value - picture sleeves are also in demand."

The original title for this story spelled 'Snapshots' with a dollar sign: $napshots. For technical reasons, I had to change it.

Why are these nostalgic 7 inch by 7 inch sleeves worth more than the vinyl records they protected? It's probably because of our never ending fascination with cultural artifacts, (nostalgia)!

Take a photo of a performer, have a graphic artist tweak the visual scene, and a picture sleeve portrait is created to enhance the emotional music buying experience.

Where can you get Picture Sleeves today?

Grab them from record stores (with a purchase of course), if you can find a record store. Most of my almost 200 picture sleeves were included with purchased 45 RPM vinyl records. Some are promotional records supplied by record companies during my radio broadcasting days.

The collection grew by accident. I just thought they were cool and worth saving! A handful of 5 or so were obtained from yard sales or community marts. I'm always looking for more! See the three examples below.

Here is the 1998 monetary value VG (very good condition) and NM (near mint condition) as compiled by author Charles Szabla.

1. The Beatles  "I Want To Hold Your Hand" / "I Saw Her Standing There"  VG $15.00, NM, $25.  A special NYC radio version with 6 WMCA Good Guy DJs on the back cover is VG $375, NM, $1500. 1964.
2. James Brown "Hey America" VG $3.75, NM, $15.00, 1970.
3. The Yardbirds "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" VG $6.25, NM $25, 1966.

They don't make them anymore

Why are some covers valued more than others? A lot of it has to do with the legacy of the artist. You might think the older the artists' era, the better.

Any picture sleeve from Brook Benton or Marvin Gaye or Frank Sinatra, for some reason, is valued much higher than a James Brown sleeve. David Bowie's "Time" backed with "The Prettiest Star" sleeve from 1973 is valued in Szabla's book VG $150, NM $600.

Visit my online collection at PictureSleevePop.com. You will see these three picture sleeves below, and more. Check out my earlier story Picture Sleeve Pop Features 45 RPM Record Memorabilia.

Our Picture Sleeves

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