You're right, clearthinker! I am showing my age. I've been spinning vinyl since 1959; mostly 45s in those days, on my parents' early 1950s Grundig console. You'll probably have to look that one up.
In cany case, as my love of music grew, I got more sophisticated about my stereo equipment starting in 1972. Since then, my vinyl spinning has been virtually exclusively LPs. My collection, or library, if you will, consists, mostly, of well cared for LPs that I purchased new in the early 60s through to the mid to late 80s. A handful of them are considered collectors' items; some worth serious cash. The large majority sound as good today as they did when I purchased them. I have, recently, been buying new good quality LPs to add to the collection/library and some to replace a few all-time favorites.
I trust that you are probably correct about super high-end TTs not having or coming with dustcovers. Although my home and sound room aren't particularly dusty, and I don't have much of a static electricity issue to worry about, even if I were fortunate or wealthy enough to have a super high-end TT (e.g. Continuum Caliburn; TechDas Air Force; etc.), I would still endeavor to protect it from environmental dust, especially when not in use. I'm sure you eventually discovered that a sheet of newspaper was probably not the best idea in this regard.
Keep on spinning!
