Downsizing? Determined to get rid of stuff you no longer need? Cleaning out a home or an estate? Stop! Know Before You Throw.
A few years ago, I wrote about vintage vinyl records as part of a series I did on the Summer of Love 50-year anniversary (San Francisco, 1967). Well, the subject of records has come up again as I just visited a warehouse find of about 750 records. Here is a revisit of my 2017 article as vinyl records continue to regain popularity!
As with many fields of collecting, one of the most important elements of appeal is the ability of the genre to invoke feelings of nostalgia. Another important element is the relevant age group and their ability to invest money to relive that time in their lives and recapture some of those feelings. The 1960s Rock era checks all those boxes.
The year 1967 marked the peak of Hippie culture, and saw the release of some of the most important rock music of all time, including groundbreaking albums by the Doors, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, and of course, the Beatles with Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
While many of us got rid of our vinyl years ago, record albums that survived can sometimes be worth a bit of cash. Condition and rarity are primary factors in value, and with record albums one must consider the condition of both the record jacket and the vinyl. Average condition Sgt. Pepper’s albums can sell in the range of $10 to $30, while more obscure pressings or mint copies have been spotted on eBay recently in the $700 to $925 range.
Some of the albums from more obscure and eclectic 60s bands can be worth money due to limited production and cult status. And then there are those rare albums from more mainstream artists like Bob Dylan that can be worth thousands.
For example, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan album released in May of 1963 had four songs swapped out at the last minute for reasons yet to be discovered. As a collector’s luck would have it, there were a few albums released in their original format that included those four songs. Those few copies now bring big money. A stereo copy sold for $35,000 and a mono copy sold for $15,000!
Jon Englund has more than 30 years of experience in appraising and liquidating personal property, jewelry, art, collectibles, antiques, furniture, printed items and more, as well as more than 15 years of experience in real estate. A Midwest transplant, Jon trained at New York University in appraisal studies.
Donna Luger has assisted during that time, and is a veteran Associate Broker and Realtor with HomeSmart Realty—Elite Group.
For more information, call (480) 699-1567. You also can send an email to Jon@KnowBeforeYouThrow.INFO.