When you have a love for music and collecting there is a world to choose from. Although listening to best-selling album Thriller by Michael Jackson definitely is worthwhile, selling one will not leave you with much money- there are far too many copies of the album around for it to be exceptionally valuable just yet. Keep reading to discover what record albums are scarce, have great musical and historical value, and most of all are a good investment!
1. Pink Floyd – The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
Top 10 best albums lists always include two Pink Floyds albums: The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. But it's The Piper at the Gates of Dawn you should search for to collect valuable albums — that is, the 1st UK Mono pressing on the Columbia label. Pink Floyd is still very popular among collectors in general, so if you get your hands on an early pressing of their 1960s work, you've found yourself a valuable copy, even more so if it's in good condition.
2. The Beatles –Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band (UHQR Master Recording)
The Beatles' album recorded as their alter egos has such a distinct sound and unique cover art, but did you know that there is an audiophile pressing recorded from 1982 by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab? The original master recordings were used to make this album with the best recording resources available at that time. Although the sleeve is less exciting, the high-quality sound will bring you close to the master recordings. This is an excellent example of a re-issue that has more valuable than the first pressing.
3. The Velvet Underground & Nico – The Velvet Underground & Nico (Andy Warhol Design)
This cooperation between Lou Reed’s The Velvet Underground and model/ singer Nico is considered to be one of the most influential and progressive albums in the history of rock. Artist Andy Warhol was their manager, and he also designed the cover: a pop-art banana that can be peeled off. If you own the 1st US pressing on the Verve label with an intact banana (not peeled off) you've got buyers standing in line for it!
4. The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers (1971 Edition)
The cover of this album was also designed by Andy Warhol together with John Pasche. It shows a photo of tight black jeans, presumably worn by actor Joe Dallesandro. You should look for the 1st UK pressing on Rolling Stones Records with the cover that has a real zipper if you want a valuable album.
5. Trees – The Garden of Jane Delawney
Many collectors keep their valuable records in a plastic cover and never listen to it, which ensures the value but is a waste of music. Make sure you listen to this album by an obscure English folk band called Trees. But not if you have the 1st UK Stereo pressing on CBS because that is the most valuable edition of this album.
6. Rodriguez – Cold Fact
The 1st US pressing on the Sussex label of this Detroit songwriter has become even more valuable after the release of a documentary about his life. When two albums sold poorly, Rodriguez returned to his life as a constructor, but his music became incredibly popular in South Africa without Rodriguez even knowing it! Especially after a false rumour of the songwriter committing suicide.
7. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin
The debut album of the famous band Led Zeppelin paved the way for hard rock in 1969, which is why the first UK pressing on Atlantic label is so sought after.
8. John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Double Fantasy
The most valuable edition of this album is the one that was owned by Mark Chapman, yes, the obsessive fan who shot Lennon just hours after he signed the record. It holds great historical value and should actually be kept safe in a museum.
9. Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland
This is a record everyone should own and listen to regularly. The great thing about this album is that the 'Naked Women' version is still very popular and valuable, especially if you find one with blue lettering instead of white on the inside of the sleeve. A few of these albums have appeared on Catawiki's Vinyl auction, and nearly all of them are valuable.
10. Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Early editions are pretty hard to come by and one of these vinyl records rarely sells for less than €200. While everyone danced the Macarena in the early 90s, this distinguished grunge quartet from Chicago brought us their magnum opus.
As this last album shows, it is not just the records from the 1960s or 70s that are valuable. Do you own the vinyl records of all the best artists from the early 90s? Consider yourself very lucky (or smart). Now everyone wants to own the CD as well as the vinyl record of the greatest artists from these years, and the original limited editions are worth a fortune. Register here if you want to sell them, or check out our Vinyl auction and invest in your future.