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