Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick Album Value Guide

Released in 1972, Jethro Tull's 'Thick as a Brick' is a landmark progressive rock album famous for its single continuous composition and satirical concept. Its elaborate 12-page newspaper packaging, 'The St. Cleve Chronicle & Linwell Advertiser,' makes it one of the most unique and sought-after physical releases of the era.

What affects the value of Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick Album?

• Completeness of the 12-page newspaper cover, as many surviving copies have missing, detached, or torn pages.
• The condition of the interactive elements, specifically whether the crossword puzzle has been filled in with ink or pencil.
• The physical state of the vinyl, including the absence of surface noise, scratches, or warping that affects playback.
• Pressing origin, with original UK Chrysalis first pressings generally holding the highest value within the $30-$50 range.

How to Identify Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick Album?

• Verify the presence of the full 12-page 'The St. Cleve Chronicle & Linwell Advertiser' newspaper fold-out rather than a standard gatefold.
• Check for the original 1972 Chrysalis Records green label for UK pressings or the Reprise label for US editions.
• Confirm the inclusion of humorous internal content such as the 'St. Cleve' masthead, crosswords, and fake reviews.
• Inspect the vinyl matrix numbers to ensure they correspond to the initial 1972 production runs.

History of Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick Album

'Thick as a Brick' is the fifth studio album by the British progressive rock band Jethro Tull, released in 1972. It is notable for being a single continuous piece of music spread across two sides of a vinyl LP, conceived as a parody of the progressive rock genre's elaborate concept albums. The album's elaborate packaging, designed to look like a 12-page newspaper, 'The St. Cleve Chronicle & Linwell Advertiser', is an integral part of its artistic statement, featuring humorous articles, crosswords, and fake reviews.