(I was not sure where to post this thread, but I guess it might be of interest to all, so "general audio" seemed appropriate!)

I pose this question because I recently started to realise the monetary value of certain records in my collection and decided to sell them on Ebay. I was quite astounded at how much some items were worth.

Back in the 1970’s I was an avid record buyer with particular interest in progressive rock. My interests in those days were hi-fi and music, I did not care or know much about labels and “first pressings”. These as you may know are records pressed with the first “stamper” and apparently are often the best quality as they are as close to the original as you could get. Certain labels are very collectable too. Virtually anything on the Vertigo “Swirl” label is worth money, particularly if it is a “UK first pressing”.

My interest in the value of rare or unusual pressing was kindled while surfing the net and discovering that the very early pressings of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon” had a solid blue triangle on the label (as opposed to later pressings that had a blue outlined triangle) and the sleeve was very dark blue not black. These early copies are very collectable. I discovered I had that version and auctioned it on Ebay. To my astonishment it sold to a collector in America for £205.00! I have since seen an identical but virtually unplayed copy go for £570.00!

I soon discovered that quite a few records in my collection were very valuable indeed. For example I had a near mint condition copy of the album “Asylum” by Cressida on the Vertigo “Swirl” label. I put that on Ebay and it raised £367.00

I also had first pressings of Beatles, Stones and other UK progressive rock albums that were rare or collectable issues. In total, I have raised almost 2000 pounds in 3 weeks by selling them off. I have replaced the ones I still wanted with CD equivalents. The Cressida album on CD cost me £9.95, which makes a profit of £357.05 on that one item! And still have the music! The CD is the re-mastered version and sounds better than the vinyl I sold. I also replaced the Dark side of the moon with a 180g anniversary vinyl version for £20.00 – a profit of £185.00!

So the question is, given the potential value of some of your old vinyl, would you be tempted to sell it? Does it matter to you if you have the “Solid Blue Triangle” on the label of your Floyd album, or would you sell it, buy a new one on CD (or vinyl) and reap the profits?

As it happens I decided to buy a Nikon Digital camera with some of the money, but isn’t this a great way to make some money and upgrade your system? Assuming of course you have some records to sell !!