Ultimate Collection of Vinyl Records [100+ Best Albums to Own] (2023)

FAQs

Ultimate Collection of Vinyl Records [100+ Best Albums to Own]? ›

The average eBay selling price for vinyl records is around $15, though values can range from 50 cents to $50 or more. Some vinyl records command spectacular fees. An original copy of Frank Wilson's "Do I Love You" can be worth up to $40,000, for example, while Elvis Presley's "Good Luck Charm" can net up to $20,000.

The average eBay selling price for vinyl records is around $15, though values can range from 50 cents to $50 or more. Some vinyl records command spectacular fees. An original copy of Frank Wilson's "Do I Love You" can be worth up to $40,000, for example, while Elvis Presley's "Good Luck Charm" can net up to $20,000.

Thriller is the best-selling album of all time, with sales of 66 million copies worldwide. Regarding the importance of Thriller, Rolling Stone wrote; "It's hard to imagine the present-day musical landscape without Thriller, which changed the game both sonically and marketwise."

Most people will ring with a collection of 100 records as a general average and I have also received calls from people with a collection of over 10,000 records (generally from a person within the industry or a radio station looking to get rid of old stock).

Once Upon a Time in Shaolin was originally sold to Shkreli for $2 million back in 2015, after he rose to infamy for hiking the price of a critical Aids drug that same year.

The Black Album — Prince

Today, original copies of The Black Album are the rarest vinyl records you can find. It's not even known how many copies are still out there, though almost all that have been sold were promo copies that had already been sent to journalists and radio stations.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Blue Monday, a landmark release by New Order that's widely acknowledged as the biggest-selling 12-inch single of all time. New Order - and this particular song - do attract certain myths.

Yes, vinyl record albums from the 60's and 70's era can be worth a lot of money. This depends on the recording artist, record rarity, record grading and condition. Typically albums from the 60's and 70's in excellent condition can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (1942) as performed by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.

What age group buys the most vinyl records? ›

Teenagers from the '80s and '90s represent the largest demographic for vinyl record purchases since the record-breaking resurgence.

If you don't really listen to a record anymore, what's the point in keeping it? Yes, you might have some records that are worth holding onto because of monetary value, but at the end of the day, if all it's doing is sitting there not being used, then it's probably time to get rid of it.

Well-known or slightly better quality used vinyl often sits between $5 and $15, while rare used vinyl can go for hundreds of dollars.

The Beatles – The Beatles (the "White Album") (Parlophone UK album, 1968) – Ringo Starr's personal copy (No. 0000001) was sold for $790,000 in December 2015, according to Rolling Stone. This is the highest price ever paid for an album that has been commercially released.

The Beatles' "Ask Me Why/Anna (Go to Him)"

Unsurprisingly, one of the most valuable 45 RPM records in all of music history is a Beatles' single.

17 YEARS OF VINYL GROWTH: 43.46 million vinyl albums were sold in 2022 (up 4.2% from 41.72 million in 2021). 2022 was the 17th consecutive year vinyl album sales grew in the U.S., and the largest year for vinyl album sales since Luminate began tracking data in 1991.

There are many valuable vinyl records out there, including perhaps the most expensive Motown/northern soul 7 Inch ever, Do I Love You (Indeed I Do), recorded by Frank Wilson in 1965, and which sold for over £25,000/$31,000 at auction in 2009 (opens in new tab).

Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney and Phil Collins are the only musicians to have sold over 100 million albums as a solo artist and member of a group.

Why is 90s vinyl rare? ›

Due to the introduction of CDs in 1983, by the end of the 90s most UK pressing plants had closed, though LPs were still being pressed in Europe. Ultimately, this means 90s vinyl is harder to find.

Why it's easier & you earn more money by selling to us. Established in 1985, for over 38 years Vinyl-Wanted.com (also known as eil.com & Esprit) has been the world's largest buyer of premium quality and top condition rare and vintage vinyl records, rare CD's and music memorabilia. And we are proud of it.

Most recently, Harry Styles' Harry's House sold 182,000 copies on vinyl in its first week in the U.S. — breaking the record for the largest single-week sales of an album on vinyl since Luminate began tracking music sales in 1991.

Taylor Swift was the queen of vinyl albums in 2022, as the superstar sold more vinyl LPs in the U.S. than any other act by far last year: 1.695 million across her entire catalog of releases, according to the U.S. 2022 Luminate Year-End Music Report.

If you're not sure how much a particular record is worth, the quickest way to find out is often to look online. Someone else is likely selling the same album on an online vinyl marketplace like Discogs or Reverb LP.

Hundreds of millions were sold in the 1900-1930 timeframe. Many have survived. It is a fact that the vast majority of "old 78 RPM" records we come across are worth between 50 cents and $2.00 each (and often far less, depending on condition).

"Blue Monday" is the best-selling 12-inch single of all time. In the United Kingdom, it has sold 1.16 million copies in all formats, including the 1988 and 1995 re-releases. Sales of the original 1983 12-inch release account for the bulk of the total, at over 700,000 copies.

What is the most common vinyl album? ›

Based on the number of people who own and want the album, they established a popularity score for each album. Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here LP took out the spot when it comes to the most popular vinyl album of all time with a popularity score of 9.06 out of 10.

Vinyl records are back and more popular than ever. A new report found that vinyl record sales continued their more than decade-long growth in 2022, and for the first time in more than three decades, outsold CDs in the number of units.

Gender Distribution

Generally our sample (n=172) revealed a greater distribution of male buyers (n=97, 68.3%), compared to female buyers (n=44, 31%). Moreover, results from a Chi-Square test revealed a significant association between gender and vinyl purchase (p= 0.000).

Make sure you look at the vinyl in good lighting to see minor scratches on the surface. If a scratch is deep enough to feel with your fingertip, you are likely to hear it during playback. Also, make sure to check on the quality level of the lead-in grooves and the dead wax.

Vinyl records have a melting point of around 200 degrees Fahrenheit — but if left in a hot car for too long, it will start to warp and lose its shape which could even render them unplayable.

To put it simply – yes, cheap turntables can ruin your vinyl records. While this won't be the case for every model out there, the risk certainly does increase if the turntable has been made with cheap materials.

Since it's hard to maintain, it can get to be really expensive, and it will never sound as good as digital music. But it's a great hobby if you're obsessed with music.

Though this depends on the release in question, most new releases tend to sell for at least $20, though often more (at least upon first release). If this is a double album, then you can expect this price to increase to at least $30, much as a double LP compilation record by, say, Soul Jazz Records.

At the heart of the issue is simple supply and demand. Consumer demand for vinyl records continues to rise, and quite simply, the current production capacity is struggling to keep up with the thirst for records.

What is the biggest selling album in US history? ›

The top selling album of all time in the United States based on certified unit sales is currently the Eagles' Greatest Hits, with 38 million copies sold.

Over the past decade, vinyl records have made a major comeback. People purchased US$1.2 billion of records in 2022, a 20% jump from the previous year. Not only did sales rise, but they also surpassed CD sales for the first time since 1988, according to a new report from the Recording Industry Association of America.

It's probably because in the early 90's most sales were on CD with only a very small number of albums by the same artist pressed. By the end of the 90's, they couldn't give records aways in the UK really. Records that are worth big money now, I remember them being sold for like £3.99 in the Christmas sales in HMV.

There is one sports record, however, that will never be beaten: Uwe Hohn's javelin throw of 104.80 meters. Hohn changed the sport with that throw back in 1984, and experts believe it's a record that will never be broken. There is a reason why, but I don't want to spoil that here.

“The Dark Side of the Moon” spent an astonishing 14 years on the “Billboard” album charts, and sold an estimated 45 million copies. It is a work of outstanding artistry, skill, and craftsmanship that is popular in its reach and experimental in its grasp.

Rock and roll and R&B 45s with picture sleeves that were pressed in the 1950's have a value of at least $10, with many being valued at more than $100. EPs were only made in the 50's and 60's. Rock and roll and R&B 45s with the cardboard sleeves are worth at least $20, with many being worth more than $200.

The lifespan of linoleum flooring is what makes it so appealing to homeowners. With proper care, a linoleum floor can last between 20 to 40 years or more. However, unlike other flooring types, linoleum will age with time, looking older until it needs to be replaced.

Maintenance and Longevity

In general, you can rely on vinyl flooring to last anywhere between 10 and 25 years. A lot of it comes down to how well you look after the flooring, but there are some other factors. How in-use the floor is, for example, and who - or what - is walking all over it day by day.

Sometime in 1889, Emile Berliner recorded the first album in the history of the world. Then, that record by the father of the gramophone was destroyed. Today, Patrick Feaster, a sound historian at Indiana University, recreated the album using just a printed photograph of the album.

Ultimately, there are four key factors to consider: how rare the record is, what condition it's in, how old it is, and the current price of similar copies. In the sections below, we'll walk you through all of these factors to help you get a sense of how to evaluate the albums in your collection.

How do I sell my old vinyl records? ›

The best places to sell vinyl records online are eBay and Discogs. These are the two big 'go-to' platforms. The eBay vs Discogs debate is a big one amongst record collectors, with pros and cons to each.

Rock n' roll, blues, and jazz records produced from 1960 to 1970 are the most valuable. A “valuable record” can range anywhere from $500 to $3000.

As with many things in life, it all comes down to individual preference. Some people won't be able to tell the difference in sound quality between a colored edition and a black edition record. Many people would be perfectly happy to have the cool-looking colored vinyl over the black version.

Vinyl is not only easy on the eye, but also incredibly hardwearing, making it a sound selection for those looking for a floor that lasts. A vinyl floor can last, on average, from 10 to 20 years, or even longer in some cases.

Yes, vinyl record albums from the 60's and 70's era can be worth a lot of money. This depends on the recording artist, record rarity, record grading and condition. Typically albums from the 60's and 70's in excellent condition can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Cash For Records is an experienced, trusted vinyl buyer of old 33s, 45s and 78s. You'll get the best price for your vinyl albums from a pro like Paul at Cash For Records. Remember, we come to you to review your record collection!

Well-known or slightly better quality used vinyl often sits between $5 and $15, while rare used vinyl can go for hundreds of dollars. If you feel unsure about the pricing on an album while out at a shop, you can always check online to see what it's sold for previously.

Are 1950's records worth anything? ›

Rock and roll and R&B 45s with picture sleeves that were pressed in the 1950's have a value of at least $10, with many being valued at more than $100. EPs were only made in the 50's and 60's. Rock and roll and R&B 45s with the cardboard sleeves are worth at least $20, with many being worth more than $200.