Poison – Open Up And Say ...Ahh! 1988 Capitol Records – C1-48493

Poison – Open Up And Say ...Ahh! 1988 Capitol Records – C1-48493
US Original First Press OG
Original banned cover art.

Visually Graded:
Cover: VG+ 
Inner Sleeve: VG+
Record: VG+
Capitol Records – C1-48493

Poison – Open Up and Say… Ahh! (1988) – Capitol Records C1-48493 – US Original First Press (Banned Cover Art)

This is the 1988 U.S. original first pressing of Open Up and Say… Ahh! on Capitol Records (C1-48493) — featuring the original banned cover art that was quickly pulled from stores for being “too explicit.” Early copies like this, showing the full demon-tongue artwork, are highly collectible and increasingly scarce.

Packed with glam-metal hits including “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Fallen Angel,” and “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” this album cemented Poison as one of the biggest rock bands of the late ’80s. OG first-press US copies with the uncensored artwork are the versions collectors hunt for.

For collectors:

• 1988 US OG first press (Capitol C1-48493)

• Features the original “banned” cover art with full demon face

• Includes all major Poison hits from their peak era

• Essential glam-metal record with strong nostalgia and collector demand

• Harder to find in clean condition because the cover was quickly replaced

Searching for “Poison banned cover vinyl,” “Open Up and Say Ahh first press,” “C1-48493 OG,” or “Poison 1988 original LP”? We got you.

• Poison Open Up and Say Ahh banned cover

• Open Up and Say Ahh original 1988 pressing

• Capitol Records C1-48493

• Poison glam metal vinyl OG

• 80s rock collectible LPs

If you're building an ’80s rock collection or want the most sought-after version of Poison’s biggest album, this true OG banned-cover pressing is the one collectors chase.

We conservatively grade our records.

Record grading:

• Mint (M): Absolutely perfect in every way, likely never played, and still sealed.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): Nearly perfect. The record shows no obvious signs of wear and looks as if it was just opened. No visible marks or scratches.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows slight signs of use, such as light scuffs or very minor scratches, but plays without any major deterioration in sound quality.

• Very Good (VG): Noticeable wear with some surface noise, light scratches, or groove wear, but still plays through without skipping.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The record plays but with significant surface noise, scratches, and wear. The cover may have visible damage or splits.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The record may be damaged and is barely playable. Typically used only for highly collectible records.

Cover grading: 

• Mint (M): The cover is flawless, with no signs of wear. Often still sealed with no corner dings, creases, or ring wear.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): The cover looks almost new, with only the slightest signs of handling. There may be very minimal wear, but no significant flaws like writing, splits, or tears.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): The cover shows light wear, such as minor scuffing, small corner creases, or slight ring wear. No major damage, but a well-cared-for album with minor imperfections.

• Very Good (VG): Moderate wear is visible, including ring wear, light edge or corner damage, small seam splits, or slight discoloration. Still presentable but clearly used.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The cover shows significant wear, such as noticeable ring wear, seam splits, heavy creasing, or writing. It may still hold together but looks heavily worn.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The cover is heavily damaged, with major seam splits, tears, extensive writing, water damage, or severe ring wear. It may barely hold together or be incomplete.