We sold some incredibly rare records throughout 2024, from classic household rock right through to some obscure classical titles.
From Led Zeppelin to Roland Alphonso (and much more besides), take a look at the full list below...
10 - Manuel De Falla - The Three Cornered Hat - 'The First Edition'
Known amongst enthusiasts as 'The First Edition', or 'ED1', this classical arrangement was first written as a ballet accompaniment - with early releases like this featuring a deeper pressing ring imprinted onto the record's labels, as well as rim text reading "Original Recording By..." on the top left-hand corner of each label side.
9 - Black Sabbath - Paranoid - First UK Issue with management credits
The fact that this record is a first UK issue is arguably not the most interesting thing about it. This particular release includes the nearly-immediately withdrawn Big Bear management credits.
The album was reissued in the UK almost immediately after release, as contractual disputes between Sabbath and Big Bear Records meant that the Birmingham-based distributor would no longer be credited on reissues of 'Paranoid' from the second UK release onward.
8 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland - First Press
Some fist presses can sometimes be tricky to identify - not Electric Ladyland, though. The centered, white text on the inside of this iconic album's gatefold sleeve is a super quick way of letting you know you've got the earliest issue on your hands.
7 - Antonín Dvořák - Symphony No.5 In E Minor, Op. 95, From The New World
Whilst Classical records may be considered by some to be not worth much, this particular example really takes that stereotype and turns it on its head. This release is a 'Decca SXL' first UK press and it comes with its original gatefold sleeve - with later reissues featuring drastic label alterations as well as a non-gatefold sleeve.
We have an entire blog post dedicated to unsuspecting records just like this one, so feel free to take a look at Which Vinyl Records Are Worth Something?
6 - Skywhale - The World At Minds End
We don't come across records too often that have no other form of LP release. This Skywhale release, though, was only ever released as a vinyl record in the UK upon its release in 1977. No later reissues were ever pressed.
The only other physical release of this album came in CD form, and even then these were only ever issued in the UK and Germany in 2006 and 2018 respectively.
5 - Roland Alphonso - Just A Closer Walk
We know that certain Reggae records from the 1960s can be incredibly desirable amongst collectors and fans of the genre, and 'Just a Closer Walk' by Roland Alphonso is certainly no exception, with it having sold only once on Discogs since November of 2023.
We're always careful when we see uncommon labels on singles like this - as we know first hand just how valuable records like this can be.
4 - The Beatles - Let It Be - Limited Edition Box Set
We get the feeling that any top ten records list would be incomplete without a Beatles record featuring in some fashion. This release of Let It Be initially came with a 164 page book titled 'The Beatles Get Back'. This limited release was distributed from May of 1970 but was then pulled from circulation in December that same year, making complete copies extremely sought after.
3 - The Beatles - Something New - Misprint
We couldn't just have one Beatles record in this top ten list, could we? This example is one meant for European distribution, however, this particular label has its original 'KT' tax code embossed into it. This tax code was only ever used to identify pressings that were specifically distributed and sold within the UK.
The label also features the text 'Sold In U.K.', which of course would not have been the case given that it would have been sold all across Europe instead of just within the UK.
2 - Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon - First Press
Having the chance to see a first UK press of Dark Side of the Moon in person is always a pleasure, so naturally, it had to rank pretty highly on this list.
The immediately identifiable solid blue prism on this record's label is the key difference between the original and its many reissues. The current theory is that this initial release was pulled early after release because of the lack of clarity between the blue-coloured prism and the silver track text it contained.
1 - Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin - Turquoise First Press
There was only ever going to be one album at the top of this list - Led Zeppelin's debut album from March of 1969 actually has eight known first UK presses. Only one of which, the earliest, sports the unique turquoise-coloured band name in the upper-left hand side of the front cover.
All subsequent 'first presses' (as well as later reissues) show this lettering in orange. As far as record collecting goes, this is considered to be one of, if not the, holy grails of modern rock - and is likely the centerpiece of the collection of anyone who is lucky enough to own one.
