A fantastic month for fans of alternative, grunge and punk, we're excited to present the round-up of the ten rarest records we sold in January 2025.
From Portishead to Henry Rollins to Queen, did any of your favourites make the cut?
10 - Portishead - Dummy - First Press
Released in 1994, this first pressing of Portishead's "Dummy" was the tenth rarest record we sold in January. The album won the Mercury Music Prize in 1995, a prestigious music prize awarded yearly in the UK and Ireland.
9 - Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac - First Press
One from the early days of Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac, this is a Mono UK first pressing of their 1968 album. The band was first formed in 1967 in London by ex Bluesbreakers members, Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood.
8 - Napalm Death - Scum - First Press
With only 2000 copies pressed in this lime green first pressing, this album has been reissued or repressed around sixteen times in the UK. The earliest repressings were in the year of the original release (1987) but with different coloured sleeves, including golden, orange/red and aquamarine green.
7 - Rollins Band - The End Of Silence
It looks like January was a great month for alternative and heavy music! This Henry Rollins Band album "The End Of Silence" was one of only a handful of versions ever pressed. Demand is so high for these 1992 issues that an unofficial version was pressed in 2024, on orange vinyl.
6 - Black Sabbath Vol 4 - First Press
Returning to the classics, our sixth rarest record sold in January was Black Sabbath's fourth studio album "Vol 4." There are a remarkable forty different versions of this album logged in Discogs, with this UK first pressing being one of the most desirable.
5 - AC/DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap - Australian Release
Originally released just in Australia and New Zealand, this AC/DC album is very much sought after by both Aussie and international fans. As well as having an entirely different artwork, this original version also contains a different track "R.I.P. (Rock In Peace)." The more common international release features the track "Love At First Feel" instead.
4 - David Bowie - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars - MFSL Press
A certified icon of the British glam rock scene, this version of "Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" is even more special - it is a US 'audiophile' pressing by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab. Established in 1977, MFSL produces remasters of major-label music. Their releases can be recognised by the "Original Master Recording" banner across the top of the sleeve.
3 - Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here - Quadraphonic
An extremely well regarding mix of this Pink Floyd album, this Quadraphonic SQ pressing of "Wish You Were Here," was pressed in 1976. The lacquer was cut by HTM, Harry T Moss. While this is a quadraphonic pressing, it can also be thoroughly enjoyed on a stereo system - the quality shines through regardless.
2 - Mother Love Bone - Apple
A remarkably rare release from US band Mother Love Bone, this European pressing of "Apple" came out in 1990. It was only ever officially pressed during this year, and released in Europe, the US, and Australasia, with all versions now seeing high demand. Following the death of lead singer, Andrew Wood, the other members eventually went on to form the legendary alt-rock band, Pearl Jam.
1 - Queen - Studio Collection - Box Set
Fetching high prices largely due to the sheer quantity of albums in this set, this Queen "Studio Collection" box set hit the number one spot at Atlas Records in January. Featuring fifteen LPs (three of them double albums), this set was a heavy thing to ship! Each album is also pressed on a different coloured vinyl, making this a fantastic collector's piece.
