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TOP 10 COLLECTABLE LP's RELEASED in NEW ZEALAND
compiled by Lester Smith. Any questions or comments please e-mail: lester_s46@hotmail.com
Welcome to our list of the Top 10 Most Collectable LP Records released in New Zealand.
The list was compiled by LESTER SMITH, one of New Zealand's foremost dealers in rare
records. His experience has been gained over 30 years in the collectables field, both buying
and selling.
All of the prices below were based on values that Lester has personally achieved or of
which he has first hand knowledge. In most cases he is not aware of genuine MINT copies
so the pricing estimate is based on the actual rarity of the title.
*Please note-we do not have these records to sell (I wish)-it's just a guide.*
*Prices are in UK pounds (GBP) unless stated otherwise*
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- 1. MANTIS-"Turn
Onto Music"(Vertigo 6414 851)GBP750.
- I have sold three copies
of this over the years - a VG copy for $AU900 about 12 years
ago, a VG+ copy for $US1,200 5 years ago and a M- copy for $US2,000
quite recently. I am unaware of any mint copies in circulation
and many collectors of New Zealand music do not own a copy. I
would guess that less than 20 are in the hands of collectors
locally.
- Although this LP has
been re-issued and the music does not really match it's reputation,
it is still very keenly sought both domestically and internationally.
There is a long story behind the dubious methods by which the
band recorded and released an LP on Vertigo, and although I remember
seeing this in bargain bins in many major outlets at the time,
few copies have survived.
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- 2. ELVIS PRESLEY-"Christmas
Album"(RCA Victor LOC 1055)GBP750.
- This is a true "condition
rarity"- not very rare in it's own right (I have handled
more than 20) it is extremely rare in M- or better. I am aware
of a recent sale to Italy of a copy I would grade as EX (very
close to M-...certainly the best I've seen)for $US2,000. It still
turns up frequently as it was a big seller in NZ. However, it's
unique cover and label (there are at least THREE cover variations
and TWO label designs)are still attractive to the enormous number
of Presley collectors worldwide who keep demand high.
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- 3. HUMAN INSTINCT-"Snatmin
Cuthin"(Zodiac ZLP 1044)GBP500.
- Not only the rarest Human
Instinct LP by far, it is also hard to find in genuine mint condition
because the gatefold cover is susceptible to ringwear. I have
sold 4 or 5 over the years, the most recent being EX to M- for
$US800 last year. Again, most hardcore New Zealand collectors
have copies in much lesser condition and international collectors
are always trying to upgrade.
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- 4. BREAKAWAYS-"Album
Two"(HMV MCLP 6245)GBP500.
- Very rare in collectable
condition-best I have seen is VG+ and both copies I have sold
have reached in excess of $NZ1,000 for around VG condition.
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- 5. KINKS-"The
Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society"(Pye NSPL
18233)GBP400.
- Already documented in
a RECORD COLLECTOR feature on the various rare versions of this
title issued around the world with the original withdrawn UK
track listing and unique cover (in fact, it was my own copy used
to illustrate the article). This is the value quoted by Record
Collector at that time, which is probably still accurate- a few
copies have sold on EBay for less, but none have been mint. I
understand that at least $NZ1,000 is the going rate for a good
copy around EX to M-...I sold a copy for a little more last year.
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- 6. SPACEFARM-"Going
Home To Eternity"(Zodiac ZLP 1042)GBP400.
- Average copies still
fetch around $US500+, but I have seen better copies go higher
and I know of sales around the GBP350 mark. I have had two genuine
mint copies, but this was some years ago and both went to Japan
for around $NZ1,200. For some reason, this record is either trashed
or near pristine (presumably because listeners either loved it
or hated it). There are TWO versions in existence, one with Harvey
Mann vocals, the other one with Murray Grindlay vocals (one has
printed matrix # in the dead wax, the other is etched). There
seems to be no difference in value.
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- 7. SERENITY-"Piece
of Mind"(Downunder DL 1501)GBP400.
- This is a hard one to
price accurately because so few ever come up for sale. A copy
sold recently from an Auckland store for around $US800, but I
believe this was under the true market rate. Very few international
collectors have this in good condition (the gatefold gimmick
cover is very flimsy)and I am certain that a mint copy would
easily fetch the above price. This is on a lot of wants lists
and remains very rare...most recent sales have been ex-radio
station copies.
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- 8. LITTLEJOHN-"Littlejohn"(Polydor
2469102)GBP350.
- Similar to Serenity in
that it is incredibly rare and it's recent value has skyrocketed
as it has been discovered by the international market. I remember
in the late 70's many collectors and dealers doubted that this
LP even existed. Bootleg CD's exist and, although I have never
sold a copy of the original vinyl myself, I do know of copies
changing hands privately in Europe for around the $US1,000 mark.
Again,very few seem to be in collector's hands locally or overseas
and the value is driven by the relative scarcity compared to
others on the list.
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- 9. ROLLING STONES-"The
Unstoppable Stones"(Decca LKM 6004)GBP350.
- Not a particularly rare
record, nor that difficult to find in good condition (I have
had 4 or 5 in M- condition) it is still in heavy demand as there
are many Stones collectors, and most want to upgrade. Issued
here in New Zealand to support the Stones tour in 1964, it has
a totally unique track listing, catalogue number and cover (the
UK "5 x 5" EP cover) and was a big seller. You could
still buy this for around $NZ5 in second hand record stores in
the mid-70's and there are still hundreds out there, but good
copies sell for $NZ500 to $NZ1,000 locally.
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- 10. PLEAZERS-"Definitely
Pleazers"(Zodiac ZLP 1026)GBP350.
- I have only ever sold
3 copies of this very rare LP and one was mint-it reached $NZ1,200,
but this was nearly 20 years ago. I have never seen another copy
in anything like that condition (maybe because it was Shane Hales'
own copy!). Never turns up.
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- If the non-New Zealand
items are removed from the above list-excluding Mantis,because
eventhough they were a Fijian band,
- their record was only
released here and is widely regarded as New Zealand-then out
come 2, 5 and 9. I would then include the following...
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- 11. HUMAN INSTINCT-"Pins
In It"(Pye NSPL 28107)GBP350.
- Rarity on condition-nearly
always turns up with well played vinyl and textured gatefold
sleeve is fragile and prone to ringwear. I have sold around 8-10
copies over the years, but this is getting rare now.
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- 12. BUTLER-"Butler"(Family
Label FLY 215)GBP350.
- Hardly ever turns up
outside Christchurch where the band had a following and seldom
in good condition. Going rate for VG to VG+ is around $NZ6-800,
but a mint copy would fetch far more. For some reason in great
demand.
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- 13. TAYLOR-"Taylor"(Polydor
2469101)GBP300.
- Fantastic record, largely
undiscovered by the international market. I've only ever handled
3 copies and none have been mint. Very rare and will increase
in value.
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Records Wanted?|Thousands of rare and Interesting vinyl Records-Browse here