Pick up an LP album carefully, with the disc still in the cover casing. Examine the album cover casing, looking for any small-print near the bottom of the album cover. The publication or recording date for the album is typically located on the backside of the album cover, sometimes in the lower left-hand corner and often underneath a symbol or logo for the recording company.
Examine the liner notes. Album covers were typically lined with a paper sleeve in which record companies printed information such as lyrics and the artists who performed on certain songs. Look in the lower right-hand corner for the album recording or publication date, typically right after a copyright symbol.
Look at the actual album. Only if you must, take the black plastic disc carefully out of the liner-notes casing. Hold the album's edges between the open palms of your hands, so as not to touch the grooved surface with your fingers. Look for writing in the center of the disc, where a label is affixed containing the names of the songs on that side of the album. Look for the date of the album under the listing of songs, typically near a copyright symbol and a logo for the record company.