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200 Rarest Albums Of All Time

September 30, 2008 | Other

The British magazine ‘Record Collector’ presents in its November 2008 issue a Top 200 with the most valuable albums of all times – produced in the UK. A large amount of the positions in the list are taken by British artists but, of course, such a selection of albums can’t go without Elvis. The most pricy items according the writers are:


Nr. 178 : ‘The Legend’ – RCA 89061/2/3 3-CD (1984) - € 440,-

A strange notation: the only CD box in the Top 200 list. What can be so special on a box with previously released material? If you see that the box was released in 1984 – it’s obvious it is one of the first CD releases in the UK. RCAs target audience was the serious collector and released the box on a 5000 numbered limited edition with certificate and special booklet.

Nr. 102 : ‘Rock and Roll’ – HMV CLP 1093 (1956) - € 690,-

Despite the fact that most albums are not so high in value as some may think, the original fifties albums are still very popular. This one is the debut album of Elvis and reached the no 1 position in the UK in November 1956.

Nr. 101 : ‘Flaming Star And Summer Kisses’ – RCA Victor RD 7723 (1969) - € 690,-

Die-hard collectors – who are not well informed about the Elvis catalogue – may wonder why a re-issue can catch so much money. When the album ‘Summer Kisses’ was released in 1965, it reached the n0 1 position in the charts. RCA decided to re issue the album in 1969. Because the overload of Elvis album releases that year (at least 18), the record sale was not as expected. The top album of that year was ‘Elvis Sings Flaming Star’ (RCA INTS 1012). Together with the re issue, it’s a rare piece of UK vinyl.

Nr. 57 : ‘Rock and Roll No 2’ – HMV CLP 1105 (1957) - € 950,-

This is the most valuable vinyl album in the UK and contains songs as ‘Rip It up’, ‘Ready Teaddy’ and ‘Old Shep’. The album reached a number three position in 1957 and stayed there for three weeks. This album was sold by the bucket load more than 50 years ago, but it’s nearly impossible to find a copy in mint condition.

N0 1 in the list is the album ‘The Beatles’ from The Beatles that can go to € 9000 if you own one of the numbered albums of 10.000 copy’s – with a number between 1 and 10. Numbers reaching from 1001 to 10000 will go for € 750.
Source:ElvisMatters
Brian Quinn wrote on September 30, 2008
According to 'Record Collector' Magazine. This magazine has always favoured The Beatles over Elvis. To be taken with a pinch of salt.
Harvey Alexander wrote on October 01, 2008
Just seen this in Borders and put it straight down when I read 'Summer Kisses' referred to as being a soundtrack. Whoever posted it here didn't copy it as it is in the magazine.
epexpress wrote on October 01, 2008
"Ready Teaddy?"
djm wrote on October 01, 2008
go man go
Jerome returns wrote on October 02, 2008
are the Joan Deary tapes in that list?..