Revealed: The 10 most expensive records of all time
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The thrill of unearthing a hidden treasure in your attic or at a local charity shop is a feeling many collectors and enthusiasts can relate to.
For vinyl record collectors, this thrill is often amplified by the potential value of their finds. Some vinyl records, especially those that are rare or have a unique history, can fetch a hefty price on the market.
In recent years, the resurgence of vinyl records has seen collectors and enthusiasts dust off their old collections and scouring bargain bins for hidden gems.
While some may view physical media as obsolete to collectors, these unique records are priceless artefacts.
The Beatles, in particular, dominate the list of the most valuable records.
When the short film of their reunion in the studio was released last November on Netflix, The Beatles fans were in for a joyous surprise, and some might be holding to their albums.
Their albums, known for their iconic cover art and groundbreaking music, are highly sought after by collectors.
But it's not just The Beatles who have made their mark on the vinyl market. Other artists, from the Wu-Tang Clan to Bob Dylan, have also produced records that have fetched astronomical prices.
So, if you've got a box of old records gathering dust in your attic, it might be time to take a closer look. You never know, you could be sitting on a small fortune.
1. Wu-Tang Clan: Once Upon a Time in Shaolin
The Wu-Tang Clan's album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, has achieved almost mythical status among collectors.
Released in 2015 as a protest against the devaluation of music in the digital world, only one physical copy was ever created.
This unique album was sold to controversial pharmaceutical speculator Martin Shkreli for $2 million ($3 million AUD).
However, the album's journey didn't end there.
After Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in jail for securities fraud, the album was seized by the US Government and sold to a collective called PleasrDAO for a whopping $4 million ($6 million AUD) worth of cryptocurrency.
2. Bob Dylan: Blowin' in the Wind
In 2022, Bob Dylan sold a one-of-a-kind recording of his classic hit 'Blowin' in the Wind' for an impressive $1.77 million ($2.8 million AUD) at Christie's auction house.
This unique re-recording features new vocals from Dylan, nearly 60 years after the single's original release, and the backing of a full band.
The record was likened to a piece of fine art, with only one of these recordings ever made.
This recording is recorded directly onto acetate, which is too delicate to make records from. However, it used a sapphire and quartz gradient coating like those used on the International Space Station to protect it from wear.
3. John Lennon & Yoko Ono: Double Fantasy
A signed copy of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1980 album Double Fantasy has a morbid history that has significantly increased its value.
Lennon signed the record for his killer, Mark Chapman, just hours before he was shot dead on 8 December 1980.
Chapman hid the album behind a flower pot before coming back to murder Lennon just hours later.
The album was discovered by a passerby and given to the authorities since it still had evidence from Chapman.
The authorities later returned it to the finder, who eventually sold it.
This chilling piece of history was sold to a private collector in 2010 for $850,000 ($1.3 million AUD).
4. The Beatles: White Album
The Beatles' self-titled ninth album, better known as the White Album, is a classic that has become a collector's dream.
Each album was individually stamped with a serial number, making each copy unique.
In 2015, Ringo Starr auctioned off his personal copy of the album for $790,000 ($1.2 million AUD).
5. Elvis Presley: My Happiness
Elvis Presley's first-ever recorded song, 'My Happiness', is a true relic of rock and roll history.
Made at Sun Records in 1953, when Elvis was just 18, he paid $4 ($6 AUD) for the recording session and took the acetate record to his friend Ed Leek’s house to listen to it on their record player.
The record was left at Leeke’s house and passed on to his niece, who sold it in 2015.
It was bought by Jack White of the band The White Stripes for $300,000 ($458,000 AUD).
Jack White also issued a faithful reproduction of Elvis’ original recording through Third Man Records, and versions of this reissue are still available today.
6. The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, released in 1967, is often considered one of the Beatles' finest works.
Due to its iconic album cover, original editions of this classic are in high demand and often sell for hundreds of pounds at auctions. Mono copies with the black Parlophone label can fetch thousands.
However, like many collectibles, adding signatures can significantly raise the value.
A copy signed by all four band members sold for a whopping $290,500 ($560,000 AUD) in 2013.
7. The Quarry Men: That'll Be The Day/In Spite of All the Danger
Before they were the Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison were part of a band called The Quarry Men.
The Quarry Men was founded in 1956 by John Lennon and his school friends and later included Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
When the band shifted towards rock and roll, several original members departed, leading to its evolution into The Beatles.
An amateur recording by the band is believed to be Britain's rarest record, valued at $250,000 ($385,000 AUD).
8. The Beatles: Yesterday & Today
The Beatles' album Yesterday and Today is highly prized by collectors due to its controversial 'Butcher Cover'.
Early pressings of the album featured a bizarre photograph of the band members covered in raw meat and dismembered dolls.
Photographer Robert Whitaker's vision was not well-received by record executives, leading to the album being swiftly withdrawn from shelves before being reissued with a much milder cover.
However, a few of these 'Butcher Cover' versions managed to slip through the cracks and have since become highly valuable.
A sealed mint condition copy of the album sold for $125,000 ($191,500 AUD) at auction in 2013.
9. The Beatles: 'Til There Was You (10' acetate)
This 10-inch acetate recording of ‘'Til There Was You’ may well be the record that launched the Beatles.
Created as a demo for EMI music company, the test disk still bears the handwriting of manager Brian Epstein.
The test disc still features the handwriting of manager Brian Epstein, and one of the track titles, 'Hello Little Girl,' is misspelled on the vinyl as 'Hullo Little Girl.'
The record was discovered in the attic of British musician Les Maguire, who mentioned it had somehow ended up in his possession during his tenure as a keyboardist for Gerry and the Pacemakers.
The record was sold to a private buyer in March 2016 for $97,800 ($150,000 AUD).
10. Aphex Twin: Caustic Window
Caustic Window is an album by electronic producer Aphex Twin which was considered to be lost.
However, the album had indeed progressed to the test pressing phase, indicating that at least one copy of the album existed.
However, a test pressing of the album was snapped up at auction in 2014 by 'Notch', creator of the game Minecraft, for $46,300 ($70,900 AUD).
So, if you're a vinyl record collector or simply have a stash of old records in your attic, it might be worth taking a closer look. You never know, you could be sitting on a vinyl goldmine.
What's the most valuable record you've ever found? Share your stories in the comments below.
For vinyl record collectors, this thrill is often amplified by the potential value of their finds. Some vinyl records, especially those that are rare or have a unique history, can fetch a hefty price on the market.
In recent years, the resurgence of vinyl records has seen collectors and enthusiasts dust off their old collections and scouring bargain bins for hidden gems.
While some may view physical media as obsolete to collectors, these unique records are priceless artefacts.
Are you sitting on these valuable records? Credit: Unsplash
The Beatles, in particular, dominate the list of the most valuable records.
When the short film of their reunion in the studio was released last November on Netflix, The Beatles fans were in for a joyous surprise, and some might be holding to their albums.
Their albums, known for their iconic cover art and groundbreaking music, are highly sought after by collectors.
But it's not just The Beatles who have made their mark on the vinyl market. Other artists, from the Wu-Tang Clan to Bob Dylan, have also produced records that have fetched astronomical prices.
So, if you've got a box of old records gathering dust in your attic, it might be time to take a closer look. You never know, you could be sitting on a small fortune.
1. Wu-Tang Clan: Once Upon a Time in Shaolin
The Wu-Tang Clan's album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, has achieved almost mythical status among collectors.
Released in 2015 as a protest against the devaluation of music in the digital world, only one physical copy was ever created.
This unique album was sold to controversial pharmaceutical speculator Martin Shkreli for $2 million ($3 million AUD).
However, the album's journey didn't end there.
After Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in jail for securities fraud, the album was seized by the US Government and sold to a collective called PleasrDAO for a whopping $4 million ($6 million AUD) worth of cryptocurrency.
2. Bob Dylan: Blowin' in the Wind
In 2022, Bob Dylan sold a one-of-a-kind recording of his classic hit 'Blowin' in the Wind' for an impressive $1.77 million ($2.8 million AUD) at Christie's auction house.
This unique re-recording features new vocals from Dylan, nearly 60 years after the single's original release, and the backing of a full band.
The record was likened to a piece of fine art, with only one of these recordings ever made.
This recording is recorded directly onto acetate, which is too delicate to make records from. However, it used a sapphire and quartz gradient coating like those used on the International Space Station to protect it from wear.
3. John Lennon & Yoko Ono: Double Fantasy
A signed copy of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1980 album Double Fantasy has a morbid history that has significantly increased its value.
Lennon signed the record for his killer, Mark Chapman, just hours before he was shot dead on 8 December 1980.
Chapman hid the album behind a flower pot before coming back to murder Lennon just hours later.
The album was discovered by a passerby and given to the authorities since it still had evidence from Chapman.
The authorities later returned it to the finder, who eventually sold it.
This chilling piece of history was sold to a private collector in 2010 for $850,000 ($1.3 million AUD).
John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy became extra valuable because of its morbid history. Credit: John Lennon Official Website
4. The Beatles: White Album
The Beatles' self-titled ninth album, better known as the White Album, is a classic that has become a collector's dream.
Each album was individually stamped with a serial number, making each copy unique.
In 2015, Ringo Starr auctioned off his personal copy of the album for $790,000 ($1.2 million AUD).
5. Elvis Presley: My Happiness
Elvis Presley's first-ever recorded song, 'My Happiness', is a true relic of rock and roll history.
Made at Sun Records in 1953, when Elvis was just 18, he paid $4 ($6 AUD) for the recording session and took the acetate record to his friend Ed Leek’s house to listen to it on their record player.
The record was left at Leeke’s house and passed on to his niece, who sold it in 2015.
It was bought by Jack White of the band The White Stripes for $300,000 ($458,000 AUD).
Jack White also issued a faithful reproduction of Elvis’ original recording through Third Man Records, and versions of this reissue are still available today.
6. The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, released in 1967, is often considered one of the Beatles' finest works.
Due to its iconic album cover, original editions of this classic are in high demand and often sell for hundreds of pounds at auctions. Mono copies with the black Parlophone label can fetch thousands.
However, like many collectibles, adding signatures can significantly raise the value.
A copy signed by all four band members sold for a whopping $290,500 ($560,000 AUD) in 2013.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is one of The Beatles’ finest works. Credit: The Beatles Official Website
7. The Quarry Men: That'll Be The Day/In Spite of All the Danger
Before they were the Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison were part of a band called The Quarry Men.
The Quarry Men was founded in 1956 by John Lennon and his school friends and later included Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
When the band shifted towards rock and roll, several original members departed, leading to its evolution into The Beatles.
An amateur recording by the band is believed to be Britain's rarest record, valued at $250,000 ($385,000 AUD).
8. The Beatles: Yesterday & Today
The Beatles' album Yesterday and Today is highly prized by collectors due to its controversial 'Butcher Cover'.
Early pressings of the album featured a bizarre photograph of the band members covered in raw meat and dismembered dolls.
Photographer Robert Whitaker's vision was not well-received by record executives, leading to the album being swiftly withdrawn from shelves before being reissued with a much milder cover.
However, a few of these 'Butcher Cover' versions managed to slip through the cracks and have since become highly valuable.
A sealed mint condition copy of the album sold for $125,000 ($191,500 AUD) at auction in 2013.
9. The Beatles: 'Til There Was You (10' acetate)
This 10-inch acetate recording of ‘'Til There Was You’ may well be the record that launched the Beatles.
Created as a demo for EMI music company, the test disk still bears the handwriting of manager Brian Epstein.
The test disc still features the handwriting of manager Brian Epstein, and one of the track titles, 'Hello Little Girl,' is misspelled on the vinyl as 'Hullo Little Girl.'
The record was discovered in the attic of British musician Les Maguire, who mentioned it had somehow ended up in his possession during his tenure as a keyboardist for Gerry and the Pacemakers.
The record was sold to a private buyer in March 2016 for $97,800 ($150,000 AUD).
10. Aphex Twin: Caustic Window
Caustic Window is an album by electronic producer Aphex Twin which was considered to be lost.
However, the album had indeed progressed to the test pressing phase, indicating that at least one copy of the album existed.
However, a test pressing of the album was snapped up at auction in 2014 by 'Notch', creator of the game Minecraft, for $46,300 ($70,900 AUD).
So, if you're a vinyl record collector or simply have a stash of old records in your attic, it might be worth taking a closer look. You never know, you could be sitting on a vinyl goldmine.
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