It’s certainly been quite the busy month for vinyl aficionados in July, at least, looking at the sales that have taken place on Discogs.
It would appear that jazz has once again become quite the hunt for several collectors, as we once again take a look at the most expensive vinyl to be sold through the online marketplace last month. There’s also been some movement with Ozzy Osbourne’s back catalogue as the world still comes to terms with the loss of 'the Prince of Darkness', and Taylor Swift’s earlier work has once again elicited quite the sales price.
But it’s one thing to see how much one person would purchase what could be their 'holy grail' on vinyl, but not everyone is willing to pay that same amount.
That’s why we’ve decided to take a look at the median sales price for each of the 15 releases on the Discogs list, to give you an idea of how much it is worth, usually, rather than how much someone was willing to part with.
But as ever with our look at Discogs, check you have the correct release (we’ve included catalogue numbers or barcodes where applicable), take a look and see how many are for sale currently and undertake your due diligence before listing anything.
Keep it all on Discogs also; a number of you (myself included) will have no doubt received an email from the marketplace insisting not to take trades/orders away from the platform, for fear of phishing scams or even worse – paying for something that never existed in the first place.
With those caveats in mind, shall we take a look at the big movers and shakers on Discogs last month?
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5. Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath (VO 6)
The original 1970 UK pressing of Black Sabbath's debut album is widely considered the birth of heavy metal. Its high value is a direct result of its historical significance and the iconic Vertigo Records "swirl" label. Early pressings, particularly those with the unlaminated gatefold sleeve and unique label details, are in high demand from collectors of both classic rock and prog-rock. Finding a clean, well-preserved copy of this monumental record is a difficult task, and then there's the average price: £412.50. | Getty Images/Discogs
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6. Taylor Swift – Red (BMR310400D)
This promotional pressing of Taylor Swift's 2013 album Red is a classic example of a modern collectable. It was not sold in stores but was instead produced in a very small quantity for industry professionals, with a unique red opaque vinyl that distinguishes it from the standard black retail pressing. This release gained new historical significance and value following Taylor Swift's decision to re-record her first six albums, making this original Big Machine pressing a highly coveted piece of her discography. The median value for this release is £419.71. | Getty Images/Discogs
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7. The Misfits – Night Of The Living Dead (PL1011)
Released in 1979 on frontman Glenn Danzig's own Plan 9 Records, this EP is a "holy grail" for horror punk collectors. The band pressed only 2,000 copies, most of which were sold at shows and not treated as collectables. The single features three quintessential tracks from the band's early career and is a testament to the raw, visceral energy of the late-70s punk scene. Its extreme scarcity and historical importance make it one of the most desirable 7-inch singles in punk history - and the average sales price of £524.63 demonstrates that. | Getty Images/Discogs
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8. Elois Scott – Broadway Love (GC 101GC 102)
This obscure 1960s soul single is a legendary "Northern Soul" classic. Released on the tiny G Carol label, it was originally pressed in very small numbers with virtually no commercial distribution. The track "Broadway Love" became a favourite on Northern Soul dancefloors, and the demand from a dedicated community of collectors has driven its value far beyond its original price. The scarcity of an original copy, combined with the song's status as a rediscovered masterpiece, makes it a true "keeper." The median value for this release is £550.00. | Getty Images/Discogs