Grateful Dead - Wake of the Flood Vinyl Record

This is a 12-inch vinyl LP record of the 1973 studio album 'Wake of the Flood' by the Grateful Dead. The cover features the iconic Rick Griffin artwork depicting a hooded harvest figure clutching a bundle of wheat and a sickle against a backdrop of a tumultuous sea and sky. Released under the band's own 'Grateful Dead Records' label (GD-01), this was their first release after departing Warner Bros. Records. The physical jacket appears to be a standard cardboard sleeve with a matte finish typical of 1970s printings. The artwork is characterized by subdued earthy tones of brown, tan, and olive green, contrasted with a pale blue-green sky within a circular framing. In terms of condition, the jacket shows visible signs of shelf wear and age. Specifically, there is prominent 'ring wear' visible as a circular rubbing pattern on the front cover where the internal vinyl disc has rubbed against the cardboard. The corners and edges show minor fraying and blunting, and there are small scuffs and dust accumulation consistent with long-term storage. The printing remains legible with 'Grateful Dead' in stylized white typography at the top. This item represents a significant era of the band's history and independence.

I have examined the visual documentation of this first-press 1973 copy of 'Wake of the Flood' (GD-01). The item features the classic Rick Griffin cover art. My assessment identifies 'Very Good' (VG) condition for the jacket due to prominent ring wear, edge fraying, and blunting of the corners. This specific release is historically significant as the debut release on Grateful Dead Records, yet its mass-market production means it remains relatively common in the secondary market. Current demand for Grateful Dead vinyl is strong, but collectors prioritize 'Near Mint' (NM) copies or those with intact inserts. Given the visible shelf wear, this copy falls into a mid-tier price bracket. While the typography and matte finish appear consistent with period-authentic pressings, I cannot verify the vinyl's playing surface (Goldmine grade) or identify specific matrix runout etchings used to distinguish rare pressing plants. A full authentication would require physical inspection of the disc for 'scratches' or 'warping' and verification of the internal paper sleeve. Final value is highly contingent on the disc's condition, which remains unknown from the external images provided.