Diana Ross 'To Love Again' Vinyl Record Album

This is a vintage 12-inch vinyl LP record jacket for the Diana Ross compilation album titled 'To Love Again,' originally released in 1981 by Motown Records. The album cover features a striking, high-glamour profile photograph of the legendary singer against a clean, off-white background, highlighting her signature hairstyle, diamond stud earrings, and red manicure. The typography uses a bold, sans-serif font for 'diana ross' in a vibrant magenta-pink hue, juxtaposed with a sophisticated cursive script for the album title 'To Love Again' below. The jacket appears to be a standard cardboard gatefold or single-sleeve construction typical of the early 1980s. In terms of condition, there is a prominent vertical crease or surface marring on the top right corner near the letter 's' in Ross, and slight softening is visible at the lower corners. There is also evidence of light ring wear and minor surface specks, though the colors remain vivid. A small set of identification characters, likely a catalog number prefix 'M-', is visible in the bottom right corner. This record represents Ross's transition period at Motown and is a quintessential example of 80s pop-soul aesthetic design.

I have conducted a visual examination of the jacket for Diana Ross's 1981 Motown release 'To Love Again.' The item displays characteristic 1980s lithography and branding consistent with a standard commercial pressing. Authenticity appears genuine based on the catalog typography and the specific 'M-' prefix visible, though a physical inspection of the vinyl's matrix numbers and label is required to confirm the specific press run. The condition is assessed as 'Very Good' (VG) on the Goldmine scale. While the colors remain vibrant, the vertical crease in the upper right quadrant and visible ring wear significantly depreciate the 'Near Mint' potential typically sought by collectors. As a compilation album released during a high-output period for Ross, this title is not considered rare; it was mass-produced to capitalize on her transition from Motown to RCA. Market demand is steady among soul enthusiasts but limited by high supply. Comparables for this title in similar condition routinely sell in the $10 to $15 range, though a pristine copy with the original shrink wrap or an included lyric insert could reach $25. The primary limitation of this appraisal is the absence of the vinyl disc itself; the record's playback quality (surface noise, scratches, or warping) accounts for over 70% of the total market value. A full physical examination of the media, provenance documentation, and inspection of the spine for seam splits would be necessary for a definitive valuation.