By Eric Knowles
Vinyl junkies the world over are in for the treat of a lifetime thanks to a staggering record collection set to go under the hammer in Derbyshire.
Some 1,500 vinyl classics and rarities will be offered. Among them are 120 Neil Young records including a holy grail disc. The owner jetted to the other side of the world to obtain Neil’s first ever recording on vinyl. It’s the star lot amid one of the best collections ever seen honouring the talent of the Canadian-born artist.
Amassed over a lifetime, the vinyl treasures are amazing. They include offerings from cult artists like Iron Maiden and punk legends the Ramones plus rare box sets from Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd. The collection is destined to get music fans tuning in from all over the world at Hansons Auctioneers on July 3.
The huge array of vinyl, posters, CDs and programmes could achieve £20,000. A large chunk of that is likely to come from that Neil Young gem, the first issued recording of a song written and played by the star. In near mint condition, the scarce 7inch vinyl 45RPM single of The Squires/The Sultan was pressed in 1963. That year the Squires formed in Winnipeg, Canada, one of Neil’s first bands. It is thought only 300 pressings of their record were made in Canada. Few remain in existence. Consequently, the disc could achieve £3,000-£3,500.
For those tender in years, Neil Young, now a mature 78, is a singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the 1960s/70s. He released critically acclaimed albums such as Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969), After the Gold Rush (1970), Harvest (1972), On the Beach (1974), and Rust Never Sleeps (1979). Perhaps best known for his number one hit single Heart of Gold, his style combines folk, rock and country music. He’s awash with Grammy and Juno Awards and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him twice, once in 1995 as a solo artist and again in 1997 as a member of Buffalo Springfield. In 2023, Rolling Stone listed Neil Young at No. 30 among the 250 greatest guitarists of all time.
A musician of this calibre inevitably has lifelong fans all over the world including England, where the owner of this extraordinary collection lives. It speaks volumes that he has chosen to consign his vinyl treasures with Hansons’ music memorabilia consultant Claire Howell. But she’s a vinyl junkie, too, with decades of knowledge and a love of music to match his.
An expert on everything from Beatles autographs to valuable vinyl, there’s little Claire has not seen during decades in the music memorabilia business. But this collection has staggered her in terms of its size and importance.
She tells me the collector was so determined to acquire The Squires single, he travelled from the UK to Canada to obtain it in person. He’d tried for years to get hold of a copy. When the chance finally arose he leapt on a plane to secure it. A true collector in every sense of the word.
But there is more to tempt Neil Young fans in a record collection brimming with rarities and originals including more scarce 1960s pressings such as Neil Young/Buffalo Springfield, 1967; The Best of Buffalo Springfield, Atlantic Recording Corporation/Neil Young, 1969, and Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, 1969. The list goes on and on. These albums could also achieve in the region of £3,000.
The discoveries also includes a Hawks & Doves 1980 LP produced by Reprise Records; the original movie soundtrack album Where The Buffalo Roam, 1980, rare pressings made in the UK and Germany, limited edition box sets, 12in offerings, 6in clear vinyl discs and sought after DVDS and compilations.
Other records accumulated over more than 25 years include offerings from The Beatles, Anthrax. Metallica, Guns N Roses, Nirvana,Tom Waits, The Rolling Stones, Queen, The Doors, Nick Cave, Prince, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac and Bob Dylan.
Like many people, the seller’s musical taste is eclectic. But the quality and quantity of this collection sets him apart. It also underlines how valuable vinyl can be. Even small lifetime collections that have suffered damage can sell for a £100-£200 at Hansons.
Most people who hit their teenage years before DVDs took hold bought vinyl. It was cool to spend Saturday mornings hanging out in record shops like Derby’s RE Cords. Consequently many collections languish in garages and lofts. The circle of life has brought vinyl well and truly back into vogue, and it’s good to see.
Music feeds the soul and digital downloads can never compete with the sound and touch of vinyl. I should know. I was a northern soul DJ in the late 1960s and weaned on rhythm and blues, Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Music is powerful, evocative and a collector’s dream destined to bring pleasure forever.
The collection will be offered in the July 3 Music Memorabilia sale at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall. Music consultant Claire Howell hosts monthly valuation and consignment events at the auction centre, the next one being on June 26, 11am-3pm.
To book a free valuation, email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
