How much is the most expensive vinyl ever sold worth? A recent test pressing of The Beatles White Album sold for a record setting amount of cash, providing some insight into how high stakes the world of record collecting can become.
Guest Post by Bobby Owsinski on Music 3.0
Vinyl record collectors can really go overboard when it comes to a rare record or a rare edition or version. Just like coin collectors, they especially revel in records with a flaw that were quickly pulled off the market since there’s only a limited number ever printed. So what do you think a classic record marked with a #0000001 stamp would be worth? What if were previously owned by one of the most famous musicians ever? Do you think it would be the most expensive vinyl record ever?
If you’re answer was “Yes,” then you’d be very right. Last December the very first test pressing of The Beatles White Album owned by Ringo Starr was sold at auction for an almost unbelievable $790,000, as reported by NME! The sale was registered by the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest price ever paid for a vinyl record.
To put that into perspective, a similar test pressing stamped #0000005 and previously owned by John Lennon sold for only $30,000 in 2013.
The proceeds from the album sale and 1,300 items belonging to Ringo went to the charity that he and his wife founded called The Lotus Foundation, which is dedicated to helping people with substance abuse problems, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, cancer, battered women and their children and animal abuse. Another high-priced item was the Ludwig drum kit than Ringo used with The Beatles, which went for $2.2 million. All told, the auction raised $10 million and it all went for a great cause.
Even after more than 50 years, The Beatles still remain iconic and don’t seem to be slipping in popularity. Of course, the band’s songwriter is the bar against much music is measured, and goes to show that great songs continue to live long past their artists prime. Of course, crazy collectors factor in every now and then as well.
Guest Post by Bobby Owsinski on Music 3.0
Vinyl record collectors can really go overboard when it comes to a rare record or a rare edition or version. Just like coin collectors, they especially revel in records with a flaw that were quickly pulled off the market since there’s only a limited number ever printed. So what do you think a classic record marked with a #0000001 stamp would be worth? What if were previously owned by one of the most famous musicians ever? Do you think it would be the most expensive vinyl record ever?
If you’re answer was “Yes,” then you’d be very right. Last December the very first test pressing of The Beatles White Album owned by Ringo Starr was sold at auction for an almost unbelievable $790,000, as reported by NME! The sale was registered by the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest price ever paid for a vinyl record.
To put that into perspective, a similar test pressing stamped #0000005 and previously owned by John Lennon sold for only $30,000 in 2013.
The proceeds from the album sale and 1,300 items belonging to Ringo went to the charity that he and his wife founded called The Lotus Foundation, which is dedicated to helping people with substance abuse problems, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, cancer, battered women and their children and animal abuse. Another high-priced item was the Ludwig drum kit than Ringo used with The Beatles, which went for $2.2 million. All told, the auction raised $10 million and it all went for a great cause.
Even after more than 50 years, The Beatles still remain iconic and don’t seem to be slipping in popularity. Of course, the band’s songwriter is the bar against much music is measured, and goes to show that great songs continue to live long past their artists prime. Of course, crazy collectors factor in every now and then as well.
