A key insight many record store guests do not fully appreciate is that a significant portion of today’s rare record trading happens online. As a record store owner two-thirds of my sales happen through online platforms. Websites like Discogs and eBay have transformed how collectors find rare records. These digital storefronts showcase my collection to millions of potential buyers monthly and facilitate hundreds of sales.
A Modern Collector’s Guide to Finding Rare Records in the Digital Age
The global reach of online platforms has significantly amplified the allure and value of rare finds. This market is a high-speed, high-stakes arena. One where collectors and dealers compete for prized artifacts. Here rare finds from niche local groups and superstar artists alike command extraordinary prices.
In the following article, I aim to give you a window into this vibrant and exhilarating world. Another reason I am writing this is that despite a booming market, vintage vinyl has seen little rigorous analysis. There remains considerable space for journalists, economists, and academics to delve deeper into this world. My aim in compiling this information is to bridge that gap and provide a comprehensive look into the dynamics of this intriguing market.
Key Insights from eBay’s Rare Record Market in 2024
eBay is a popular and familiar platform for many looking to trade a rare record online. With an impressive 722,273 listings for used records, it provides a vast marketplace for vinyl enthusiasts. What types of vinyl records dominate eBay? Long-playing albums (LPs) lead the way, representing 41.7% of the total listings. Seven-inch singles follow closely, making up 29.7% of the records available.
Most Expensive Rare Records Sold on eBay May to July
Let’s take a look at the top-selling vinyl records on eBay in recent weeks.
- LED ZEPPELIN ACTUAL 1st PRESSED TURQUOISE FONT 588171 UNCORRECTED CREDITS & MATRIX
- Price: $9,500 AU
- Date Sold: 27 Jul 2024
- 4x AC/DC 45 RPM Singles. 2x Rare Promo Albert Original AP-11340, AP-11403, 11265
- Price: $5000 AU
- Date Sold: 18 Jun 2024
- Elvis Presley – Speedway Mono First US Press VG+ Mega Rare Rock N Roll
- Price: $5,000 AU
- Date Sold: 20 Jun 2024
- Price: $3,500 AU
- Date Sold: 11 Jul 2024
- AC/DC Whole Lotta Rosie / Dog Eat Dog A Label Radio Promo OZ Alberts 1978 Vinyl
- Price: $3,399 AU
- Date Sold: 24 Jul 2024
- THE BEATLES -I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND/ THIS BOY- PROMO DEMO – Parlophone 1963 UK
- Price: $3,250 AU
- Date Sold: 12 Jul 2024
- THE BEATLES -Please Please Me / Ask Me Why – PROMO DEMO – Parlophone 1963 UK
- Price: $3,100 AU
- Date Sold: 17 Jul 2024
- HOW TO MAKE LEMONADE EXTREMELY RARE BEYONCÉ VINYL BOX SET NEVER OPENED
- Price: $3,050 AU
- Date Sold: 1 Jun 2024
- THE BEATLES Super Rare EMI Audiophile Numbered 304 ©1983 Never Opened
- Price: $3,000 AU
- Date Sold: 8 May 2024
- RARE Taylor Swift 1989 RSD Sealed
- Price: $2,900 AU
- Date Sold: 10 May 2024
Total and Average of Top eBay Sales
Total Price: $41,698 AU
Average Price per Auction/Sale: $4,169 AU
Decoding The Vinyl Market: Insights from Sales Data and Trends
While many genres are well-represented on eBay, our list shows that rare variants of iconic rock records, especially those in original packaging, command the highest prices. Rare and sealed albums from pop stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift also stand out, with limited-run variants of their career-defining albums from 2017 and 2018 appearing at spots eight and ten. These high-value sales continue to highlight the premium placed on pristine finds and demonstrate that groundbreaking contemporary pop and historic rock alike command hefty prices.
Discogs: A Hidden Hub for High-Stakes Record Deals
Once upon a time, I believed eBay was the biggest platform for buying and selling recorded music. However, after exploring Discogs, I’ve come to see things differently. The sheer scale of Discogs is impressive, with a staggering 50,070,309 vinyl records listed for sale!
Just imagine that many records for a moment.
As on eBay, rock leads the way on Discogs by a large margin, followed by electronic and pop genres. It’s worth noting that electronic music holds a prominent place on Discogs. This is because the site started as a project to catalogue electronic recordings before expanding to a sales platform for music of all kinds.
Discogs regularly publishes its highest sales prices. This, however, is but a small portion of the vast amount of information Discogs holds on rare records and their value. Let’s look at the highest-value sellers from Discogs this year.
Most Expensive Rare Records Sold On Discogs In 2024
- All Tomorrow’s Parties
Artist: The Velvet Underground And Nico
Year: 1966
Details: Promo copy with an exceptionally rare picture sleeve
Sold For: $45,900 AU - Led Zeppelin
Artist: Led Zeppelin
Year: 2006
Details: Box set with 48 single-sided 12” records in a limited-edition road case
Sold For: $17,262 AU - Love Buzz b/w Big Cheese
Artist: Nirvana
Year: 1988
Details: Original pressing, first release for Sub Pop Singles Club, 1,000 hand-numbered copies
Sold For: $16,457 AU - An Ideal For Living
Artist: Joy Division
Year: 1978
Details: Limited to 1,000 copies, released through the band’s label
Sold For: $13,176 AU - The Velvet Underground & Nico
Artist: The Velvet Underground & Nico
Year: 1967
Details: Promo pressing with unpeeled banana sticker, mono mix
Sold For: $12,240 AU - True Blue
Artist: Tina Brooks
Year: 1960
Details: Vinyl, mono
Sold For: $11,485 AU - Try Me For Your New Love
Artist: Junior McCants
Year: 1967
Details: Vinyl, 7” single, promo
Sold For: $11,485 AU - Paternoster
Artist: Paternoster
Year: 1972
Details: Vinyl album
Sold For: $9,878 AU - Love Buzz b/w Big Cheese
Artist: Nirvana
Year: 1988
Details: Original pressing, also highly sought
Sold For: $9,698 AU - Song Of A Gypsy
Artist: Damon
Year: 1968
Details: Vinyl, stereo, gatefold
Sold For: $9,180 AU
Total and Average of Top Discogs Sales
Total Price: $157,761 AU
Average Price per Sale: $15,776 AU
Glitter Records’ Most Valuable Items Sold on Discogs
I will also share some of my own record store’s top sales on Discogs.
- Young Identities – EP (7″, EP)
Label: Savage Music
Catalog Number: SM-02
Sold Price: AU $3,300.00
Sale Date: Apr 03, 2021 - The Leftovers – Cigarettes & Alcohol (7″, EP)
Label: Not On Label (The Leftovers Self-released)
Catalog Number: PRS-2624
Sold Price: AU $3,080.00
Sale Date: Mar 31, 2021 - Just Urbain – Just Urbain (7″, EP)
Label: Savage Music
Catalog Number: SM-01
Sold Price: AU $2,500.00
Sale Date: Mar 29, 2021 - Razar – Money (7″, EP)
Label: His Master’s Voice
Catalog Number: PRS 2645
Sold Price: AU $1,211.00
Sale Date: Apr 21, 2022 - The Victims – No Thanks To The Human Turd (7″, EP)
Label: Not On Label (The Victims Self-released)
Catalog Number: none
Sold Price: AU $990.00
Sale Date: Nov 13, 2022 - Razar – Stamp Out Disco / Task Force (Undercover Cops) (7″, Single, Yellow)
Label: Not On Label
Catalog Number: AB-002
Sold Price: AU $550.00
Sale Date: May 09, 2021 - Julian Jay Savarin – Waiters On The Dance (LP, Album)
Label: Birth
Catalog Number: RAB 2
Sold Price: AU $399.00
Sale Date: May 13, 2023 - Mark Williams – A House For Sale (7″, Single)
Label: EMI
Catalog Number: HR571
Sold Price: AU $312.00
Sale Date: Nov 10, 2023 - Tame Impala – Currents (LP, Violet + LP, Amethyst + Album, Limited Edition)
Label: Interscope Records
Catalog Number: B0023452-01
Sold Price: AU $300.00
Sale Date: Dec 23, 2021
Total and Average of Top Glitter Records Discogs Sales
Total Price: AU $11,642.00
Average Price per Sale: AU $1,293.56
The first thing to note is that my list contains many rare Australian releases from my home city of Brisbane’s vibrant punk and underground music scene. Please note that I’m sharing this information for demonstrative purposes. I kindly ask that it remains confidential unless used for teaching or academic research.
Auction Houses: The Highest Stakes in the Game
For more astounding prices, we must leave eBay, Discogs and even Glitter Records behind and enter the world of auction houses. Auction sales often see a rare record bid up to astonishing prices, sometimes reaching levels surpassing a million dollars. When two wealthy collectors compete for a unique item, any conventional sense of value can quickly fly out the window.
One of my personal favourites is the UK auction house Omega Auctions. Their recent auctions, including “Soul, Reggae, Jazz and Blues – Vinyl Records,” “Vinyl and Memorabilia Showcase,” and “The Danny Baker Auction,” have featured some breathtaking sales. Here’s a list of remarkable records sold across these auctions.
Omega’s Most Valuable Rare Record Auctions
- DARK: Dark Round the Edges LP (Original 1972 Self-Released Copy – Black/White Single Sleeve – S.I.S. Records SR 0102S – Complete with Booklet)
Sold for AU $33,320 - THE ROLLING STONES: 2010 Limited Edition Super Deluxe Box – Three Band Member Signed Lithographs and More
Sold for AU $7,448 - DAVID BOWIE: Ziggy Stardust – Original UK White Label Test Pressing (RCA Victor SF 8287)
Sold for AU $7,840 - LED ZEPPELIN: I LP (First UK ‘Turquoise’ Copy – Atlantic 588171 – Uncorrected 8s)
Sold for AU $5,488 - DAVID BOWIE: The Man Who Sold the World LP (OG UK ‘Dress Sleeve’ Copy – ‘Tonny’ – Mercury 6338 041)
Sold for AU $5,096 - DAVID BOWIE: Hunky Dory LP (Original UK White Label Test Pressing – RCA Victor SF 8244)
Sold for AU $4,704
Total and Average of Recent Auctions
Total Price: AUD $63,896
Average Price per Auction: AUD $10,649.33
Do you recall this turquoise titled Led Zeppelin album from our eBay list? Is it the same one do you think?
Reflecting the trend seen in our other lists, Omega Auctions’ top sellers prominently feature iconic records by renowned rock acts. What sets Omega Auctions’ recent high-value sales include extremely rare test pressings. These are items that were never intended for commercial sale. These often come into collectors’ possession through artists themselves or individuals working within the music industry. Casual collectors might not be fully aware of their existence or understand their value. By presenting rare records before a specialized audience for a limited time, Omega Auctions secures high sale prices and maintains a strong presence in the market for collectible records.
How to Invest in Rare Records
These lists can also inform your own rare record collecting. For example, the current state of the rare record market shows us that historic rock releases with exceptional provenance or condition fetch high prices. However, as a record store owner, I am currently observing the preferences of local buyers shifting towards the 1980s and 1990s. This means the classic acts from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, are prime candidates for selling now.
If I may speculate, there is a strong possibility that the rock records currently leading the market are at a peak. The Baby Boomer generation— born between 1946 and 1964—has significantly influenced the value of classic rock memorabilia. Driven by their economic power and nostalgia, serious collectors from this generation frequently acquire the rarest and most valuable records at premium prices. However, as Baby Boomers age and begin to downsize their homes, the market for these records might experience a shift, potentially leading to a decline from the historic highs we’ve seen.
Effective Rare Record Investment Strategies
On the other hand, vinyl investors may want to consider catching the wave early with albums that will hold potential value for future generations. For an example of why this is a prudent strategy let’s compare two notable records from our lists. Let’s create a hypothetical scenario where our turquoise-titled Led Zeppelin record is purchased from Omega Auctions for $5,488 and later sold on eBay for $9,500. If we do this our transaction results in a profit of $4,012, translating to a 73% return on investment. (Note, this does not account for eBay’s seller fees.)
While the Led Zeppelin sale is impressive, consider the pink Taylor Swift Record Store Day edition of 1989 for an interesting contrast. If you had purchased this record for $35 at Record Store Day in 2018 and resold it today for $2,900—just as one fan did on eBay recently—you would have realized a remarkable profit of $2,865, reflecting an extraordinary 8,186% return on investment. This example clearly illustrates the potential for building a profitable vinyl investment portfolio from contemporary releases.
Not only are certain limited edition new releases highly profitable investments, they also provide an excellent starting point for beginners. By focusing on more affordable records, new collectors can diversify their investments and manage risk more effectively. Fluctuating market demand, potential counterfeit items, and the need for accurate condition assessments can all lead to costly mistakes early on. Starting with lower-cost records allows collectors to gain valuable experience in managing risk before moving on to higher-value items.
Building the Perfect Vinyl Investment Portfolio
To reiterate, recordings purchased at a modest price now have the potential to become valuable alternative assets over time. Investing in emerging artists with the potential to become future icons or become highly sought-after within a niche market is a smart strategy. This is especially true for collectors with the discipline to keep their records sealed and well-preserved for many decades, as careful storage can significantly enhance a record’s future value.
Speaking from experience, lesser-known artists with dedicated followings can grow in value dramatically over time. Self-released recordings from underground acts and small record labels can become valuable investments. Providing they are held securely for four or more decades.
Understanding the Rare Record Market: Reflections, Gaps, and Future Exploration
What I’ve shared offers a small snapshot of the market for rare records. I will note that a compressive survey of all digital marketplaces where vinyl records are traded is sorely lacking. My analysis does not cover all areas of online vinyl trading I use to trade rare records. Australian classified ads platform Gumtree, peer-to-peer selling networks like Facebook Marketplace, mobile applications like Depop, and various record shop websites have not been discussed. Additionally, I have a hunch that some of the rarest records change hands through private networks, similar to the art world. I encourage you to conduct and share your research into the market.
This concludes my observations of the rare vinyl trade. I’ve enjoyed sharing my thoughts and insights with you. I hope that by articulating my experiences and examining the data, we can deepen our understanding of the complexities of our human relationships and emotions. And to better appreciate the music that shapes our lives. Whether you’re exploring this report out of personal interest as a dedicated vinyl connoisseur, a passionate fan, or a rare record investor, I wish you the best in your continued exploration of the vinyl market.
