Rare Vinyl on the Rise: Market Insights from August to October 2024

October Explosion and September Success

Starting in August, I began tracking the top ten most expensive records sold each month on platforms like eBay, Omega Auctions, and Discogs. In August, eBay reported a total of A$55,009 from its top ten rarest record sales, with standout items like the rare psychedelic folk album Song of a Gypsy by Damon selling for A$7,670. British auction house Omega Auctions brought in A$24,224 from their top ten sales, while Discogs achieved an impressive A$77,392. Consider this. A total of A$156,625 in sales came from just 30 things!

This early momentum set a positive tone for the following months. September continued to see an upward trend, with eBay’s top ten sales rising to A$57,626. These high-value transactions focused on iconic music, especially Northern Soul and Beatles collectibles. Omega Auctions reported A$31,535. Discogs top ten sales came to $88,988 with more than A$30,000 alone coming from a rare soul record titled Soft Sexy Soul.

By October, market strength became even more apparent. eBay’s top ten sales soared to A$66,156, led by French pop star Claude François‘ rare cassette version of C’est La Meme Chanson, which fetched A$10,771. Omega Auctions reported A$92,000 from their top ten, largely due to a bumper Beatles memorabilia auction, including signed copies of Please Please Me and Love Me Do, each selling for A$19,600. Discogs sales results have not yet been released.

What’s Hot?

The market for ultra-rare records includes many genres, attracting dedicated collectors. Classic rock, especially from artists like The Beatles and Pink Floyd, often commands high prices. Rare jazz, punk rock and Northern Soul records are also highly sought after. Additionally, genres like Golden Age hip-hop, early electronic, folk, country, and world music appear to be gaining interest. Rare pressings of soundtracks and classical music are prized by collectors. This variety underscores the lasting appeal of rare records as both a passion and an investment, driving market growth.

The Big Picture: A Thriving Market for Rare Vinyl 

An analysis of the top ten sales from eBay and Omega Auctions’ shows a clear upward trend in the rare records market over recent months. In August 2024, the combined total from these platforms was A$79,233, rising to A$89,161 in September. By October, total sales surged to A$158,156, highlighting strong performance even amid broader economic uncertainties.

Overall, recent data indicates a bull market for rare records and sound recordings, particularly at the high end. Rising sales figures and sustained interest in collectible items showcase the lasting appeal of rare records as both a passion and an investment. As collectors seek unique pieces, the market shows strong potential for future growth.

Recent Rare Vinyl Sales Highlights: August to October 2024

Rare Vinyl Sales August 2024

eBay

1. Damon – Song Of A Gypsy LP (1968): A$7,670
2. Clefftones – The Masquerade Is Over 45: A$7,016
3. Robert Johnson – Me and the Devil Blues / Little Queen of Spades Blues (78 RPM): A$6,323
4. Negative Approach – 7″ 1st Press (1982): A$5,703
5. Talmadge Armstrong – Irresistible Magnetism 45 (1971): A$5,632
6. The Beatles – Introducing The Beatles (VJLP-1062) Stereo: A$5,234
7. Clifford Jordan – Blue Note 1565: A$4,752
8. Ivories – Northern Soul 45: Please Stay/I’m In A Groove: A$4,427
9. Joe Henderson – Blue Note 4189: A$4,257
10. Walter Davis – Blue Note 4018: A$3,995

Omega Auctions

1. Billy Nicholls – Would You Believe LP: A$10,422
2. Kate Bush – The Sensual World LP: A$3,088
3. David Bowie – The Man Who Sold The World LP: A$1,640.50
4. The Smiths – Complete LP: A$1,640.50
5. Australian Playboys – Black Sheep RIP/Sad 7″: A$1,582.60
6. The Beatles – Yesterday and Today ‘Butcher Cover’: A$1,466.80
7. Ambrose Slade – Beginnings LP: A$1,447.50
8. P.P. Arnold – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright 72 LP: A$1,447.50
9. Joy Unlimited – Turbulence LP: A$1,254.50
10. Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon LP: A$1,254.50

Discogs

1. Leaf Hound – Growers of Mushroom LP (1971): A$12,155.36
2. Ramona Collins – You’ve Been Cheating 7″ (1970): A$11,769.87
3. Misfits – Horror Business 7″ (1979): A$8,195.00
4. Sahib Shihab – Sahib Shihab and the Danish Radio Group LP (1965): A$8,184.42
5. Kiss – Kiss LP (1974): A$6,296.75
6. Harry Templeton – So Happy 7″ (1982): A$5,493.78
7. Little Phil & The Night Shadows – The Square Root Of Two LP (1968): A$5,364.00
8. Karen Carpenter – I’ll Be Yours 7″ (1966): A$5,215.00
9. Thomas Bangalter – Chiroptera Matiere Premiere 10 x LP (2024): A$4,768.00
10. The Bad Seeds – All Night Long 7″ (1966): A$4,470.00

Rare Vinyl Sales September 2024

eBay

1. World’s Experience Orchestra – J-World BSE 1: A$8,645
2. The Beatles – Introducing the Beatles US Orig ’64 VJ Mono: A$7,990
3. Buddy Smith – Northern Soul 45: A$6,264
4. Misfits – Earth A.D. Wolfs Blood LP: A$4,874
5. Northern Soul 45 – Ernestine Eady: A$4,781
6. Servicemen – Sweet Magic Northern Soul Original 45: A$4,650
7. Modern Soul Disco 45 – Frazelle: A$4,650
8. The Beatles – Introducing the Beatles US Orig ’64 V/Jay: A$4,432
9. The Beatles vs The Four Seasons US Orig ’64 Vee-Jay: A$4,432
10. Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon Solid Blue 1st Mint: A$3,908

Omega Auctions

1. The Smiths – Hand in Glove: A$7,106
2. The Velvet Underground & Nico LP: A$5,433
3. Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day LP: A$3,648
4. Them – Master Tape: A$2,992
5. Leonid Kogan – Violin Concerto / Meditation LP: A$2,618
6. David Bowie – Limited Edition Ryko Box Set: A$2,431
7. The Clash – The Clash LP: A$2,244
8. Oasis – Oasis (2009 LP Box Set): A$1,683
9. The Human Beast – Volume One LP: A$1,590
10. Coldplay – Chris Martin School Tape: A$1,590

Discogs

1. Soft Sexy Soul – Susan Phillips (1971): A$32,000
2. Feelings – Jay Richford & Gary Stevan (1974): A$7,208
3. Here Without You – Doc Peabody (1973): A$7,200
4. Kiss – Kiss (1974): A$6,800
5. Cherry Five – Cherry Five (1975): A$6,182
6. Funky Stuff – Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media (1975): A$5,600
7. Kick It Off – Kenyatta (1974): A$4,800
8. Lexicon Devil – The Germs (1978): A$4,742
9. Musiche Per Commento – Ennio Morricone (1970): A$4,736
10. I’m Lost Without Your Love – Bee Vee And The Honey Bee (1978): A$4,720

Rare Vinyl Sales October 2024

eBay

1. Claude François – Très RARE édition étrangère cassette audio album 1971: A$10,771
2. Johnny Griffin – Blue Note 1533: A$9,001
3. The Beatles – Love Me Do DEMO PROMO (1962): A$8,556
4. Beatles – Yesterday and Today (US Orig ’66, Capitol Mono, 2nd State Butcher, Sealed): A$7,310
5. The Beatles – LOW White Album (1ST UK MONO): A$5,910
6. The Beatles – Meet the Beatles (US Orig ’64, Capitol T-2047 Mono 1st Pressing, Sealed): A$5,415
7. Johnny Griffin – Blue Note 1580: A$5,387
8. The Beatles – Please Please Me GOLD LABEL DICK JAMES (1st UK Mono): A$4,817
9. Lightnin’ Hopkins – Mojo Hand (1962, Fire FLP 103, Texas Blues): A$4,754
10. Leonid Kogan – Beethoven Violin Concerto (Columbia LP, EX stereo UK pressing 1961): A$4,430

Omega Auctions

1. Fully Signed Copy of Please Please Me: A$19,600
2. Love Me Do 7″ Original UK Demo (‘McCartney’): A$19,600
3. Fully Signed Copy of Love Me Do: A$13,720
4. Please Please Me LP (First UK Stereo ‘Black and Gold’): A$9,996
5. White Album Original UK Stereo Number 0000029: A$7,252
6. Magical Mystery Tour Acetate (Formerly Owned by John Lennon): A$7,056
7. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band LP (Nimbus Audiophile Remaster): A$5,292
8. Please Please Me LP (First UK Stereo ‘Black and Gold’): A$5,096
9. Paul McCartney First Album with Signed Letter from Apple Press Office: A$2,744
10. Ticket to Ride 7″ Original UK Dick James Acetate Recording: A$2,744