| Website: | | | | trading now occurs among collectors of 45s, |
| | | | especially among the 1950s rhythm and blues |
| HOW AND WHERE TO SELL OLD PHONOGRAPH RECORDS | | | | and early rock artists. Great interest |
| | | | maintains in rare and unusual (foreign |
| Have you studied your ABCs lately--that is | | | | issues, etc.) in Elvis and the Beatles. |
| Attics, Basements and Closets? They could | | | | However, most of their records have little |
| yield up some extra money and free up some | | | | value because so many were produced without |
| valuable space in your home for other uses. | | | | any distinguishing characteristics. In other |
| LPs (long-playing 10 and 12 inch discs, | | | | words they were all the same. |
| playing at 33 1/3 revolutions per minute), | | | | |
| 78s (easily breakable discs, playing at 78 | | | | WHO WILL BUY YOUR RECORDS? |
| revolutions per minute with one tune on each | | | | |
| side) and 45s(7 inch discs playing at 45 | | | | Records are purchased by collectors, mail |
| revolutions per minute) may be valuable. | | | | order dealers, used records stores and the |
| | | | general public, sometimes on a nostalgic |
| Record collecting as a hobby is just | | | | impulse or because of a favorite artist. For |
| beginning to grow after many other | | | | truly rare records the best prices will come |
| collectibles have been prominently featured | | | | from dealers who know the market and for how |
| in antique stores and the media. It is not an | | | | much they can resell them. Collectors are |
| expensive hobby to establish, but disposing | | | | emotional and sometimes fanatical collecting |
| of them can be expensive in many ways. | | | | their specialties. They may pay top prices |
| | | | for particular idiosyncracies. It is unusual |
| HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE VALUE | | | | to get top dollar for a rare record from the |
| | | | "general public', where only the performance |
| Many people think that just because a record | | | | value is recognized, not the resale or |
| is old that it has great value. Very few | | | | trading value. Painstaking research and |
| records have any real value to collectors or | | | | knowledge of the record industry and its |
| dealers. Value is based on a combination of | | | | artists is required to determine the value of |
| three factors - | | | | a particular recording. It may be possible to |
| | | | determine a value for a "rare" record once |
| (1) Supply and demand. How available is the | | | | you have determined that it is truly rare. |
| record? If millions were initially sold it is | | | | |
| likely that many will turn up in thrift | | | | WHAT WILL THEY PAY? |
| shops, used record stores and in many homes. | | | | |
| The scarcity factor must be present. There | | | | Most records that are not "rare" can bring |
| must be a demand for that record because of | | | | only pennies - 25 cents to a dollar - from |
| the artist performing (e.g. a major talent | | | | dealers. The "general public" may pay $1 or |
| who died young and before being able to make | | | | $2. Rare records can bring from $25 to the |
| many records), the label on which it was | | | | thousands. There are a number of price guides |
| recorded (the original recording as | | | | published, but values indicated are generally |
| distinguished from a "reissue"), or an oddity | | | | highly inflated or based on an isolated sale. |
| concerning the record(e.g. a V-disc, wartime | | | | Obviously, collectors and dealers want to |
| government recording or aircheck-taken from a | | | | read that records can bring high prices. |
| radio broadcast, an original picture disc or | | | | Remember, value rests in the mind of the |
| a 10-inch LP). The scarcity factor can also | | | | buyer. |
| be affected by whether a record is | | | | |
| "out-of-print"(no longer available from the | | | | HOW DO YOU FIND A BUYER? |
| manufacturer) thereby decreasing the supply. | | | | |
| "Bootlegs" (records illegally produced from | | | | A buyer for every record you wish to sell |
| live concerts or broadcasts) are also | | | | probably exists somewhere in the world. How |
| valuable to collectors. | | | | to find that person is a big problem. It is |
| | | | not uncommon for people to discover old |
| (2) Condition of the record. Those with | | | | records in their homes and proceed to spend |
| surface noises and scratches will be of | | | | many dollars (far in excess of the eventual e |
| little or no value. If it is in "mint" | | | | record) and untold hours in pursuit of a |
| condition (perfect) or "near mint" condition | | | | buyer. It can become very frustrating and |
| it will have the highest possible value. A | | | | sometimes obsessive. Expectations almost |
| record in "very good" condition should not | | | | always exceed reality. |
| have any distorted sounds or loss of sound | | | | |
| quality. "Good" means it may have some | | | | Records can be sold by advertising - in local |
| imperfections, but can be readily enjoyed. | | | | classifieds or collectors' publications, by |
| "Fair" means it can play, but will have | | | | selling to local used record stores, selling |
| obvious sound impairment and detract from | | | | at flea markets or bazaars or by promoting a |
| your enjoyment and the value of the record. | | | | garage sale. Start by cataloging the records. |
| Some dealers may have a slightly different | | | | List the artist, the title of the record, LP, |
| grading scale. | | | | 45 or 78rpm, the record catalog number and |
| | | | its condition. Take the list to a record |
| (3) Content of the recording. Generally | | | | librarian and some used record stores for |
| speaking there is more interest in music than | | | | offers and indications as to rarity. Talk to |
| in spoken word or comedy records and the | | | | friends and associates. |
| value therefor would be greater. Certain | | | | |
| kinds of musical recordings bring high sales | | | | Selling involves prospective buyers visiting |
| prices. Jazz, original Broadway cast and | | | | your home. Or, you may have to pack and cart |
| movie soundtracks tend to provide a more | | | | the records to a store for a price quote and |
| active market and greater value. Also early | | | | no sale. Damage in transit can make them |
| rhythm and blues records and the doowop | | | | worthless. Out-of-town prospects requires |
| sound are also highly valued and collectible. | | | | mail correspondence, packing, insurance, |
| Among classical records the most valuable are | | | | carting to the post office, placing postage |
| orchestral performances, then solo | | | | and sending C.O.D. The buyer may refuse to |
| instrumental, chamber music and concertos and | | | | accept upon receipt. |
| solo vocal and operatic arias and finally | | | | |
| complete operas. To some collectors, whether | | | | ©2007 Howard E. Fischer |
| a record is mono or stereo affects the value. | | | | |
| Recently a market began developing for rock | | | | RECORDS FLEA MARKET |
| records of early vintage, especially those of | | | | |
| deceased cult figures such as Jimi Hendrix, | | | | Monthly sales in New York City. |
| Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. Also, brisk | | | | |