What goes around, comes around, or so they say, and that certainly applies to vinyl records.
Anyone reading this who spent hours looking hip and cool in R.E. Cords in Derby’s Sadler Gate or their local record shop, may well have a vinyl collection at home. Chances are it’s gathering dust in the loft, under the stairs or in the garage.
But it’s worth digging it out because vinyl is back on song, growing in value and gaining love among a new generation of collectors.
The digital age has paved the way to vinyl’s resurgence. People want their music collection to be something tangible they can hold in their hands – and many swear by the sound quality of vinyl.
Claire Howell, music valuer at Hansons, takes part in Record Store Day every year. Held every April, it brings together collectors, independent record shops and artists to celebrate music. Some bands release new vinyl offerings to tie in with the event.
Such is the love affair with vinyl, Claire says she could sell a copy of Rumours by Fleetwood Mac every week. Incredible when you think it was first released in 1977 – 42 years ago. It’s sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and had been remastered and reissued. Good music never dies.
When it comes to desirable vinyl from the 1960s and 70s and 80s, think The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, Jimmy Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, The Smiths, Joy Division or Iron Maiden.
Rare classic albums do well. For example, the iconic and short-lived original version of Led Zeppelin 1, the so-called turquoise version, can be worth as much as £2,000. That’s because it was replaced within a matter of weeks with a more commonplace orange version.#
Punk can pay, too. For example, seven-inch singles of the Sex Pistols’ God Save The Queen have sold for as much as £13,000 – but they’re as rare a hen’s teeth.
The Sex Pistols were signed in early March 1977 by A&M Records but were famously dropped from the label six days later. However, the record company had already pressed 25,000 copies of God Save the Queen. An order was given for the records to be destroyed but over the past 40 years around nine copies have surfaced. Got one under the stairs?
So, would your record collection be of value? Quite possibly, but the condition of both the vinyl record itself as well as the sleeve – often works of art in themselves – are crucial. If it’s scratched and tatty the value of a £1,000 record could be slashed to £50.
Looking back at our last music sale, lot 3030, a Kiss Record collection, sold to an online bidder for £200 and a large collection of rock and metal records, lot 3038, made £2,750.
If you’re too young to own a vinyl collection, here’s one more tip. Claire tells me that on several occasions she has valued records brought to her by people who’ve moved house and discovered records owned by previous occupiers in the loft, shed or garage. You just might own a collection after all.
Hansons’ next Music and Film Memorabilia Auction, including musical instruments and mechanical music, is on June 18. Entries invited until May 31. Claire is at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, once a month to do free valuations. Pop down to see her on May 16, 10am-1pm, or call 01283 733988 for future valuation dates or to arrange a private valuation.
General free valuations are available at our Etwall HQ on Wednesdays, 5-7pm, Fridays, 10am-4pm, and Saturdays, 9am-noon. Valuers will also be at Pickford’s House, Friar Gate, Derby, on Wednesday (May 1), 10am-noon.
