Anyone who buys records to look at them is an idiot imo. Collect actual fine art in that case. I also never understand the whole "playing a record ruins it" idea. I have records that are 40+ years old, have been played countless times, and are in absolutely great shape. Picture discs are no different, I've got Judas Priest's Sad Wings Of Destiny picture disc from 1982 that looks and sounds flawless. If you have a half decent turntable and don't treat your records like shit playing them will not deteriorate them at all(barring old shellac 78s and vinyl records that were made like shit).
Well...I think records should be listened to as well. I have a few very valuable pieces that I pull out from time to time, because to a certain extent, I do feel like you do. The art is there to be enjoyed....enjoy it.
But don't kid yourself. Any time you play a record, there is friction involved. Basic science will tell you that a record *DOES* deteriorate every time it's played. Now, it may be so gradual so as to be practically imperceptible....but make no mistake...it does happen.
That being said, I have some albums pressed in the late 60's and early 70's that sound better at 40 years old than many new albums sound that are freshly pressed. I haven't figured that one out yet.