It may be surprising to hear what the top ten most valuable vinyl records are, especially since some of them are lesser-known albums that aren’t necessarily known as music records. These records are valued because of their rarity, causing vinyl collectors to search the bins hoping to strike gold with any of the following albums.
Most Valuable Record Ever
The most valuable vinyl record of all time is John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Double Fantasy” album from 1980. It sold for over $400,000 in 1999, but the only one worth this much is the one signed by John Lennon back in 1980.
John signed it on December 8th for Mark David Chapman, who returned five hours later and killed the former Beatle. The album was actually used in the court case against Chapman. Although this is the top price for a piece of vinyl now, the list is regularly changing.
Lennon Worth a Fortune
The Beatles make the list of top priced vinyl records with their “Yesterday and Today” album from 1966. The album sold for $38,800 in 1996 because this vinyl was in perfect condition and because the cover is of The Beatles posing in white butcher smocks, which were draped with pieces of meat and plastic dolls.
Since Capitol Records had these albums pulled and changed the cover, the ones with the butcher cover are worth significantly more money.
Elvis Will Cost You
Elvis makes the list for his “Good Luck Charm” single from 1962 and his “Stay Away, Joe” promotional album from 1967. “Stay Away, Joe” contains a 30-minute radio program with nine Elvis gospel songs and promotion for the movie “Stay Away, Joe.” The “Good Luck Charm” single is one of the last monaural recordings before stereos started to take over.
Expensive Acetate
A couple acetate albums make the list, starting with an acetate LP by the Velvet Underground and Nico from 1966. There is only one copy and it’s worth $25,200 as of 2006.
The other acetate album on the list is the acetate disk by the Quarrymen from 1958. The record is worth almost $200,000 and currently resides in Paul McCartney’s collection.
Rest of the Costly Vinyl Records
The other most expensive vinyl records of all time include:
- The Five Sharps’ “Stormy Weather” 78-rpm single 1952 – $25,000
- Sex Pistols “God Save the Queen” single 1977 – $20,000
- Frank Wilson’s “Do I Love You?” 1965 – $30,000
- Bob Dylan’s “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” album 1963 – $35,000
If you are ever lucky enough to find one of these records in good condition, know that you have a gold mine resting in your hands. For more information on vinyl records or for a quality record washer, contact Spin Clean today.
Photo by Gisela Giardino
. It may be surprising to hear what the top ten most valuable vinyl records are, especially since some of them are lesser-known albums that aren’t necessarily known as music records. These records are valued because of their rarity, causing vinyl collectors to search the bins hoping to strike gold with any of the following albums.
Most Valuable Record Ever
The most valuable vinyl record of all time is John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Double Fantasy” album from 1980. It sold for over $400,000 in 1999, but the only one worth this much is the one signed by John Lennon back in 1980.
John signed it on December 8th for Mark David Chapman, who returned five hours later and killed the former Beatle. The album was actually used in the court case against Chapman. Although this is the top price for a piece of vinyl now, the list is regularly changing.
Lennon Worth a Fortune
The Beatles make the list of top priced vinyl records with their “Yesterday and Today” album from 1966. The album sold for $38,800 in 1996 because this vinyl was in perfect condition and because the cover is of The Beatles posing in white butcher smocks, which were draped with pieces of meat and plastic dolls.
Since Capitol Records had these albums pulled and changed the cover, the ones with the butcher cover are worth significantly more money.
Elvis Will Cost You
Elvis makes the list for his “Good Luck Charm” single from 1962 and his “Stay Away, Joe” promotional album from 1967. “Stay Away, Joe” contains a 30-minute radio program with nine Elvis gospel songs and promotion for the movie “Stay Away, Joe.” The “Good Luck Charm” single is one of the last monaural recordings before stereos started to take over.
Expensive Acetate
A couple acetate albums make the list, starting with an acetate LP by the Velvet Underground and Nico from 1966. There is only one copy and it’s worth $25,200 as of 2006.
The other acetate album on the list is the acetate disk by the Quarrymen from 1958. The record is worth almost $200,000 and currently resides in Paul McCartney’s collection.
Rest of the Costly Vinyl Records
The other most expensive vinyl records of all time include:
- The Five Sharps’ “Stormy Weather” 78-rpm single 1952 – $25,000
- Sex Pistols “God Save the Queen” single 1977 – $20,000
- Frank Wilson’s “Do I Love You?” 1965 – $30,000
- Bob Dylan’s “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” album 1963 – $35,000
If you are ever lucky enough to find one of these records in good condition, know that you have a gold mine resting in your hands. For more information on vinyl records or for a quality record washer, contact Spin Clean today.
Photo by Gisela Giardino