As the rare vinyl record market continues to evolve, November 2024 brought some intriguing insights. Hi, I’m Riley, owner of Glitter Records, and each month I track the top sales of rare sound recordings across three major sales platforms. I believe these insights not only reflect cultural conversations about the music we value most but also highlight the growing emergence of recorded music as an alternative asset class and luxury collectible.
This month, we observed some interesting shifts. While sales on platforms like eBay and Omega Auctions dipped compared to October, several standout sales demonstrated that demand for rare, signed, and limited edition records remains strong. In this report, I’ll dive into these trends and offer a preview of what we can expect in the months ahead.
The Big Picture: Vinyl’s Resilience in Niche Markets
There was a drop in total sales in November across major sales platforms. eBay was down 28.4% from last month. Omega Auctions is down 54.4% after a blockbuster Beatles auction in October. While we may be seeing a seasonal dip, there are signs that the ultra-high-end segment of the market is holding steady.
A graph of the top ten monthly rare sound recording sales on eBay, Omega Auctions, and Discogs over time. This includes single sales of rare vinyl records, CDs, shellac and cassette sales across eBay, Omega Auctions, and Discogs from August to November. (Note: November 2024 results for Discogs are not yet available.)
Top 10 Overall Rare Vinyl Sales for November 2024 (eBay + Omega Auctions)
- The Rolling Stones – Secretarial Signed Limited Edition ‘Radio Promotion’ LP
- Sold for: A$11,310 (Omega Auctions)
- Larry Marshall – I Admire You (Roots Reggae, Cover Art Grail Silk Screen)
- Price: A$7,943 (eBay)
- Pink Floyd – Signed Copy of Piper at the Gates of Dawn
- Sold for: A$6,630 (Omega Auctions)
- Bold Speak Out Test Press (Hardcore Punk)
- Price: A$5,261 (eBay)
- David Bowie & Spiders from Mars – Fully Signed Copy of Hunky Dory
- Sold for: A$5,070 (Omega Auctions)
- Tchaikovsky – Violin Concerto (Classical)
- Price: A$5,159 (eBay)
- Red Rodney on Signal 1206 (Jazz, Bebop)
- Price: A$5,131 (eBay)
- Taylor Swift – Reputation Signed Stadium Tour VIP Box
- Price: A$4,851 (eBay)
- Paul Wright – Watch Yourself / The Company (Rare Funk/Boogie, Soul)
- Price: A$4,684 (eBay)
- John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Two Virgins LP (UK Mono – Apple – APCOR 2)
- Sold for: A$3,510 (Omega Auctions)
Continued Love For Autographed Records
The market for signed records continues to show strong growth. Both eBay and Omega Auctions featured significant sales, such as a signed Rolling Stones LP, which sold for A$11,310, and a signed Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd Piper at the Gates of Dawn fetching A$6,630. These sales emphasize that collectors are still willing to pay a premium for pieces of musical history, especially when they come with a personal touch from the artists themselves.
Rock Remains King, but Alternative and Goth Rock Are Gaining Ground
Rock records remain the dominant genre, with high-profile albums from The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and U2 selling for top dollar. However, there’s a noticeable rise in interest in alternative and goth rock records. Albums by bands like The Cure are seeing strong results, reflecting the growing appeal of niche subgenres in the rock market. As a record store owner, I’ve observed that younger shoppers are particularly drawn to goth culture while those who were teens in the late 1970s and early 1980s are becoming increasingly nostalgic, suggesting that post-punk genres may drive future growth in the rare vinyl record market. Roots reggae, classical, and jazz also remain strong areas of collector interest.
Top 10 Vinyl Sales for November 2024 (eBay)
- Larry Marshall – I Admire You (Roots Reggae)
- Price: A$7,943
- Bold Speak Out Test Press (Hardcore Punk)
- Price: A$5,261
- Tchaikovsky, Leonid Kogan – Violin Concerto (Classical, Violin Concerto)
- Price: A$5,159
- Red Rodney on Signal 1206 (Jazz, Bebop)
- Price: A$5,131
- Taylor Swift – Reputation Signed Stadium Tour VIP Box (Pop, Pop Rock)
- Price: A$4,851
- Paul Wright – Watch Yourself / The Company (Rare Funk/Boogie, Soul)
- Price: A$4,684
- Damon – Song of a Gypsy Acetate (Psych, Folk Rock, Acid Rock)
- Price: A$3,714
- Soul Superiors & Sherman Willis – Trust in Me Baby 45 (Soul, Sweet Soul)
- Price: A$3,613
- Lalo, Leonid Kogan – Symphonie Espagnole (Classical, Violin Concerto)
- Price: A$3,518
- Mary Butterworth – Self-Titled LP (1969, Psych, Folk Rock)
- Price: A$3,458
Top 10 Vinyl Sales for November 2024 (Omega Auctions)
- The Rolling Stones – Secretarial Signed Limited Edition ‘Radio Promotion’ LP
- Sold for: A$11,310
- Pink Floyd – Signed Copy of Piper at the Gates of Dawn
- Sold for: A$6,630
- David Bowie & Spiders from Mars – Fully Signed Copy of Hunky Dory
- Sold for: A$5,070
- John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Two Virgins LP (UK Mono)
- Sold for: A$3,510
- U2 – Fully Signed Copy of The Boy LP
- Sold for: A$3,120
- The Cure – Fully Signed Copy of Disintegration
- Sold for: A$2,340
- AC/DC – Signed Copy of If You Want Blood
- Sold for: A$2,145
- Spriguns of Tolgus – Jack with a Feather LP Original Press
- Sold for: A$1,950
- The Cure – Pornography LP Signed by Robert Smith
- Sold for: A$1,950
- The Cure – Greatest Hits 2xLP Signed by Robert Smith
- Sold for: A$1,950
Conclusion: The Rare Vinyl Record Market is Still Thriving
While November 2024 saw a slight dip in total sales compared to October, the rare vinyl market remains strong. Niche genres, such as roots reggae, classical, and signed rock memorabilia, continue to perform well. For record store owners, collectors, and investors, the takeaway is clear. While broader market trends may fluctuate, the appeal of rare, high-value vinyl records remains steady. As we move into the holiday season, it will be interesting to see if these trends continue, or if a surge in demand will bring a strong finish to the year.
