Guys, what is the most valuable old record that you own?

[CarlosV]

I neither know nor care, and even if I did I would keep that knowledge to myself.

Me too!

[JerryVan]

Does an expensive record sound better than a cheap one? I find that value has no correlation to listening enjoyment. Maybe I just have cheap taste in music

I don't know what any of my records are worth, (probably less than I paid for them). If I happened to have an expensive one, I wouldn't advertise it publicly.

[epigramophone]

I neither know nor care, and even if I did I would keep that knowledge to myself.

My views exactly. What's next? What is the most valuable machine you own? This thread sets a dangerous precedent.

[MisterGramophone]

I paid about a 100.00 bucks on eBay for "It's Been A Long Long time" Vocal Kitty Kallen.
Thanks to "The Avengers" franchise.

Nice find! I've been looking in thrift and record stores for that one, and fortunately, the red Columbia records show up a lot in the 78 baskets. I've seen a lot of Harry James records, but haven't found this one yet... Maybe someday.

The red Columbias are very common but they are rarely good quality or good music, if you want better Columbia records, try finding a flag label, Magic Note label, a black text label, or a grand prize label, or a Grafonola label.

[MisterGramophone]

Does an expensive record sound better than a cheap one? I find that value has no correlation to listening enjoyment. Maybe I just have cheap taste in music

I don't know what any of my records are worth, (probably less than I paid for them). If I happened to have an expensive one, I wouldn't advertise it publicly.

I know, I am not telling you to sell it, but they are rather interesting. With price to sound. I guess it sounds better if it is sold for mint condition or you like opera music.

[MisterGramophone]

but how could you prove that?

Maybe you could detect Jack Hylton’s fingerprint?

[JerryVan]

Does an expensive record sound better than a cheap one? I find that value has no correlation to listening enjoyment. Maybe I just have cheap taste in music

I don't know what any of my records are worth, (probably less than I paid for them). If I happened to have an expensive one, I wouldn't advertise it publicly.

I know, I am not telling you to sell it...

That's not what I meant. I meant "advertise it publicly", as in announce it to the world.

You might notice that there are rarely discussions on this forum about the $ value of machines or records, (unless it's in the classified section, where that's necessary). That's because, for the most part, it's not what most collectors here are about. It's about the item, its history, it's restoration, its unique function, etc. Its cost and what anyone paid for it is frankly the business of the buyer & seller only. To flaunt a "look what I paid" comment is somewhat unseemly. If you want to ask, "What's the rarest record you own?" it may be better received.

[CarlosV]

You might notice that there are rarely discussions on this forum about the $ value of machines or records, (unless it's in the classified section, where that's necessary). That's because, for the most part, it's not what most collectors here are about. It's about the item, its history, it's restoration, its unique function, etc. Its cost and what anyone paid for it is frankly the business of the buyer & seller only. To flaunt a "look what I paid" comment is somewhat unseemly. If you want to ask, "What's the rarest record you own?" it may be better received.

Amen!

[Curt A]

"Rare" doesn't necessarily mean "good" or expensive, it's more about the chances of randomly finding one.

The rarest (most expensive) 78 is a Paramount record by Tommy Johnson - "Alcohol and Jake Blues", which sold for $37,000. But being ridiculously expensive, doesn't make it "good". AND, if you really want to hear it, you can listen to it for free, IF you can stand listening to it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCOmShbEukI

I guess it's an acquired taste...

Screenshot 2024-01-14 at 7.30.23 PM.png (225.14 KiB) Viewed 2074 times

[Inigo]

The affirmation that red Columbias don't have any good music is a very risky proposition... there are LOTS of good music on those, not to mention the many splendid reissues of older jazz records, but also lots of the production of greats as Benny Goodman or Teddy Wilson, Ellington, Sinatra, etc, etc...