The Most Expensive Vinyl Records

Vinyl records have been around since the late 19th century, and they have grown to become objects of nostalgia, art, and, sometimes, a gold mine.

For record collectors, the most valuable and expensive vinyl records are the ones that are rare, unique, significant, or have a special emotional connection.

In this post, we'll explore some of the most expensive vinyl records ever sold, including the stories behind them and the reasons why they are highly sought after.

The Beatles records

The Beatles have been considered one of music's most influential and iconic bands.

Their music, style, and cultural impact have been enormous, and their vinyl records have been highly sought after by collectors worldwide. The following are the most expensive Beatles records ever sold:

The White Album - $790,000

The Beatles' ninth official studio album, "The White Album," was initially released in 1968. The album features 30 tracks and a plain white cover with the band's name embossed.

One rare album version features a serial number embossed on the front cover, while another includes a prototype cover with the album title in a script font. However, the most expensive version of the white album ever is a rare double LP, with a white gatefold cover stamped with serial number "0000001".

The album sold for a whopping $790,000 in 2015, making it one of the most expensive vinyl records ever sold.

The Beatles Compilation - $125,000

The Beatles albums have been known for their unique cover art, including the famous "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and the controversial "Butcher Cover."

However, one of the rarest and most valuable Beatles album covers is the rare 1966 "Yesterday and Today" compilation. The original cover featured the four Beatles posing in butcher smocks, surrounded by decapitated baby dolls and raw meat.

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Due to its controversial content, the controversial album cover was quickly recalled and replaced with a new cover. However, a few copies were sold before the recall, and one sold for $125,000 in 2016.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy - $150,000

John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Double Fantasy" was the last album released by Lennon before he died in 1980. The album features songs by both Lennon and Ono, including the hit single "Woman."

However, the most expensive version of the album is a copy signed by Lennon and Yoko Ono, which was given to Lennon's assassin, Mark Chapman, just hours before the shooting. The album was later found in Chapman's possession and sold for $150,000 in 1999.

The Beatles "Introducing…The Beatles" - $10,000

"Introducing…The Beatles" was the first album that the Beatles released in North America initially. However, due to legal disputes with the record company, Capitol Records eventually released the album "The Early Beatles" in 1965.

However, the album's original pressing with the black and gold label is highly sought after by collectors, with one copy sold for $10,000 in 2016.

Elvis Presley records

Elvis Presley, also known as "The King of Rock and Roll," is another iconic musician known for his unique blend of rock, country, and blues.

His popularity has endured for decades, and collectors worldwide have prized his vinyl records. The following are some of the most expensive vinyl Elvis Presley records ever sold:

Elvis Presley's First Record - $300,000

Elvis Presley's first record, "My Happiness," was a song he recorded at the Sun Records studio in Memphis in 1953.

The record was never commercially released, and the only known copy was recorded on an acetate disc that Elvis gave to a friend as a gift. Later, the friend sold the disc to an Oregon-based record collector, who sold it at an auction for $300,000 in 2015.

This single was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1953 and marked his first commercial recording. It's also known as one of the rarest singles ever pressed due to its limited run of only 500 copies at the time.

Elvis Presley's "Good Luck Charm" - $6,000

"Good Luck Charm" was a hit single released by Elvis Presley in 1962. The record features a rare test pressing with a completely different take, released by RCA Victor's subsidiary label, HMV, in the UK as early access.

Only a handful of copies of the rare test pressing exist, and one sold for $6,000 in 2019.

Elvis Presley's Last Record - $3,000

Elvis Presley's last record, "Moody Blue," was released in 1977, just months before his death.

The album includes ten tracks, including a cover of "Blueberry Hill" and the title track, "Moody Blue." However, the most valuable version of the album is a mint edition sealed copy, which was sold for $3,000 in 2020.

Rare records from other artists

Aside most expensive vinyl records from The Beatles and Elvis Presley, plenty of other musicians have highly valuable and sought-after vinyl records. Here are some of the most expensive records from other artists:

Bob Dylan "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" - $35,000

Bob Dylan's second studio album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," was released in 1963 and features some of his most iconic songs, including "Blowin' in the Wind."

However, the most valuable version of the album is an early demo copy, which features four previously unreleased tracks. One of these rare test pressings sold for $35,000 in 2012.

Wu-Tang Clan's "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" - $2 million

In 2015, Wu-Tang Clan announced they had created a one-of-a-kind double album, "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin." The album was produced secretly over six years and sold in a unique art print cover depicting the group's logo.

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The album was only available for purchase after a tour across the US. It was sold to an unnamed buyer in 2015 for a whopping $2 million, making it the most expensive record ever sold.

Jake Blues "Gold Records" - $1,250

The "Gold Records" album by Jake Blues features a gold label with "Gold" written in large type. The Motown subsidiary record label, Soul produced the record and was released in 1980.

It includes four Beatles and a version of "Talkin' John Birch Blues" by Bob Dylan. The album has been highly sought after by record collectors and was sold for $1,250 in 2020.

The Lonely Hearts Club Band "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - $42,000

"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is a classic album by The Beatles and one of their most iconic covers. However, few people know that the black Parlophone label version of the album is highly valuable to record collectors.

The album was initially released in the UK in 1967, featuring the black Parlophone label with a yellow logo. One copy of an expensive vinyl record of the test pressing of the album sold for $42,000 in 2021.

Third Man Records "Blue Series" - $18,000

Third Man Records is a Nashville-based record company founded by musician Jack White. The company has released several limited edition vinyl records, including the "Blue Series."

One of the series' rarest and most valuable records is the single by singing duo Stephen Colbert and Jack White, which was sold for $18,000 in 2011.

The Rolling Stones's "Street Fighting Man" - $17,000

"The Street Fighting Man" was a single by The Rolling Stones released in 1968. The original UK pressing of the single featured the phrase "Copyright Control" printed on the label.

Later pressings replaced this with "Gideon Music Inc." due to a copyright dispute. The original version has become highly sought after by collectors and was sold for $17,000 in 2011.

The Misfit's "Legacy of Brutality" - $2,500

"Legacy of Brutality" is a compilation album by punk band The Misfits, originally released in 1985. The album was pressed on black vinyl, but a few copies featured a blue label with "Fiend Club" at the top.

These blue-label versions of the rare record have become highly collectible and were sold for as much as $2,500.

Prince's "Black Album" - $27,500

In 1987, Prince recorded an album called "The Black Album," but he decided not to release it. A few copies of the signed record were pressed and sent to radio stations, but most were destroyed.

One copy surfaced in the late 80s and was sold for $15,000, but a later copy sold for $27,500 in 2018.

Sex Pistols "God Save the Queen" - $20,000

"God Save the Queen" was a single by the Sex Pistols released in 1977, just before the Queen's Silver Jubilee. The song was controversial, and many record stores refused to stock it.

The original pressing of the single featured a sleeve with a picture of the Queen with her eyes crossed out, but most copies were destroyed when the record company, A&M, dropped the band. The few surviving copies have become highly valuable, with one selling for $20,000 in 2003.

The Beach Boys' "SMiLE" - $9,000

"SMiLE" was an album The Beach Boys recorded in 1966-1967, but it was never released for various reasons. The project was revived in the 2000s, and an official version of the album was finally released in 2011.

However, a few bootleg copies of the original sessions were circulated among record collectors, and one sold for $9,000 in 2015.

Led Zeppelin "Led Zeppelin" - $3,500

Led Zeppelin's self-titled debut album was released in 1969 and features some of their most iconic songs, including "Good Times Bad Times" and "Dazed and Confused."

However, the most valuable version of the album is the original pressing with turquoise lettering and a turquoise label. One copy of this rare pressing sold for $3,500 in 2018.

Joy Division's "An Ideal for Living" - $10,000

"An Ideal for Living" was Joy Division's first release, a four-song EP with a limited pressing of only around 50 copies.

The EP features controversial cover art inspired by Nazi concentration camps. The record was handmade and stamped; only a few genuine copies have been confirmed. One of them sold for $10,000 in 2015.

John Coltrane "A Love Supreme" - $30,000

Released in 1965, "A Love Supreme" is considered one of the best jazz albums ever. The original pressing featured a white label with the words "Prestige Records" printed on it.

Later pressings replaced this label with a blue and white version. A rare copy of the original pressing sold for $30,000 in 2006.

Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" - $10,500

"Kind of Blue" is another classic jazz album by Miles Davis, released in 1959.

The original mono pressings' most expensive record has become highly sought after by record collectors, as they feature a unique mix compared to later stereo versions. One copy sold for $10,500 in 2010.

Johnny Cash's "The Meaning Of Life” - $50,000

The Meaning Of Life was an EP by Johnny Cash initially released in 1956 with only 5000 copies produced.

It features some early recordings by Cash and has become incredibly valuable since its initial release; one copy sold for an astonishing $50,000 at auction in 2014.

Jimi Hendrix Experience “Are You Experienced?” - $18,000

Are You Experienced? is arguably the definitive album by Jimi Hendrix and was initially released in 1967 on Reprise Records with a purple label design dripping down from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner on both sides (variation 1).

This variation of expensive records has become highly collectible and was sold for around 18K USD at auction in 2020.

Key takeaways

Here are the key takeaways from this article:

• Vinyl records have become highly valuable to record collectors worldwide.

• The most expensive vinyl records are usually rare, unique, and have a significant emotional or historical value attached to them.

• The Beatles and Elvis Presley records remain highly sought after by collectors, but there are plenty of rare records from other artists.

• Some of the most expensive records ever sold include The Beatles' "White Album" (double LP with a gatefold cover), Wu-Tang Clan's "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin," and Bob Dylan's "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" (early demo copy).

• Record collecting is a passionate hobby and investment opportunity for music enthusiasts and collectors alike.

So next time you come across a vinyl record, look closer. It could be a rare and valuable piece of music history.

In conclusion

Record collecting has become one of the most passionate hobbies for music enthusiasts, collectors, and investors worldwide.

The most expensive vinyl records are often rare, unique, and have significant historical or emotional value attached to them.

Whether you're a Beatles collector or a Wu-Tang Clan fan, there's always something rare and valuable to discover in vinyl records. Despite the rise of digital music streaming services, vinyl records remain a timeless artifact of music history, and their value will continue to rise over the years to come.

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