by Zoe Trudeaux

Created on: July 26, 2008   Last Updated: November 25, 2008

Record collecting bridges the gap from generation to generation and enables music lovers from all walks of life to experience great sound, amazing artwork on covers, and a certain nostalgia for the past. Collecting vinyl records can be fun once you understand where to find records, how to determine the value of your records, and how to properly care for your collection.

WHERE TO FIND RECORDS

You can find records at estate sells, yard sales, thrift stores, flea markets, online auctions (like eBay), swap meets, and conventions or shows. Try to develop your taste and your knowledge of what to look for before you start buying records at high prices.

First, know what kinds of records are valuable based on condition, edition, and demand. Then start looking in thrift stores and at yard sales for cheap records. Go through these inexpensive records and research them one by one. Train yourself to notice high quality and great covers.

Once you develop more knowledge and experience with records, you can purchase higher cost albums. You may find a really great record to add to your collection and you may not. A lot of the fun is in the search!

DETERMINE THE VALUE OF YOUR RECORDS

Keep a few things in mind when you start your collection. The value of your records will depend on the condition they are in, the edition of each record, and the demand of each record. Also, take into account that some collectors value the artwork on the cover more than the record inside.

1. Condition or "Grading"

The condition of your record can be judged or "graded" by industry standards. The Goldmine system is a grading scale that takes into account obvious signs of wear and the condition of the record, and usually also the condition of sleeves and covers. It ranges from Mint (M) condition (best) to Poor (P) condition (worst). Some sellers grade by the sound quality of the record, but most do it by appearance.

2. Edition

First editions are almost always worth more than later editions. Sometimes you can find record editions that were produced with an extra song or a different cover, which may make the edition more valuable.

3. Demand

The most sought after records are usually those from the Beatles, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Madonna, and Pink Floyd (there are others of course). Some collectors also love Jazz, Blues, Motown and Punk and Indie records.

A signed album can increase the value. Keep in mind that signatures made out to someone are not worth as much to collectors (unless that someone

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