5 comments about American Premium Record Guide, 1900-1965: Identification & Value Guide to 78s, 45s, & LPs.

1. This book has a lot of holes and should be considered a supplemental guide to the more thorough price guides out there like Rockin' Records. What I really enjoy about this book is how it indirectly communicates to the masses how small the percentage of 78's out there have any value in the marketplace.
   
   Typical flea-market hunters will come across large assortments of 78's over years of hunting but will find very little of any value. They will open up this guide and look up their records and not find them or find that they have little to no value. It's refreshing to have a guide that will humble the amateur collector and not give them false hopes about the values of their records. Selling 78's in most markets is next to impossible. Most dealers are relegated to selling them online, which is not a profitable venture unless the records are established collectables. This book helps delineate such records.
   
   It's hardly worth looking through the 45/EP/LP section with the other guides out there. The separation by genre is kind of unnecessary in my opinion. Also, it's true this book has little to say about international records. Russian and Chinese records are collectible but they are beyond the scope of this book. I can't really evaluate the high-end prices in this guide because I'm undereducated on the subject. Use auction results to help.
   
   I would only recommend buying this guide to those who have access to either a real large quality 78 collection (hot jazz, pre-war blues, rockabilly perhaps) or a desire to understand the patterns of 78 values. You will NOT turn your grandma's collection or your garage sale find into cash using this guide (99 times out of 100). Consider this a supplemental guide for 78's only.



2. les docks has been the sole responsible book writer for pre war blues and jazz for a long long time.
   his books are facinating.
   his prices have always been absurdly LOW which he addresses in all honesty in the prelude pages.
   his scans are fantastic! truly one of the best books you can own to start looking for rare records.
   what it lacks and there probably good reason,is information about unknown records.but you can still see them pictured and hes finally admitting robert johnsons records are worth more than 50 dollars each! keep rockin les and id love to see the shellack shack someday!



3. I have been collecting 78 rpm records for about 38 years.
   I became aware of this book when I was given a copy (the 2nd edition) as a gift many years ago.Since then I have bought each new edition as they have come out.
   I have not come across another guide for the collector of 78 rpm records which compares with this one.
   It doesn't cover every 78 ever issued.It would have to be huge (and expensive).Left out mostly are the common 'pop' discs of the 40's and 50's.
   Great label pictorial sections.
   Another very nice feature is that all names used by one artist or group are listed at the beginning of that entry.
   My only complaint is a lack of an index.(Earlier editions had one.)This is helpful since many artists appear in more than one section.Also,sometimes you might not be sure which section an artist might be in.(Such as Blues vs Jazz)
   I highly recommend this book.
   Thank you!



4. Terribly organized, horribly incomplete and wrong about values. This is just an awful book. Checking on Ebay is a million times better. Thank heavens I sold mine.



5. I was looking for a guide to older classical LPs, so this wasn't really what I was looking for.

1 comments about Rare Record Price Guide 2010 (Record Collector Magazine).

1. Very unexpectedly fast shipping and came before i expected it. thought it would arrive in 2 months but i received it in 2 weeks

5 comments about The Official Price Guide to Records, 18th Edition.

1. This book is by one of the best music collectors in the business. I bought it as a reference guide for a future music store I want to start, as well as a general guide for my personal collection. Their are more detailed guides, at much greater prices, so this is great for the beginner and just general information. Highly recommend.



2. Several years ago I bought Osbourne's 2001 guide to records and I couldn't have been more pleased. So when it was time to update the guide I was a loyal consumer and bought the newest edition. Too my suprise, many of the listings in the 2001 guide are missing and a lot of popular and valuable records aren't in the new guide at all. You've heard the phrase 'less is more'? Well in this case less is less. I can't recommend anyone buy this guide since even novice collectors will find huge gaps in 18th edition of 'Offical Price Guide to Records'.



3. Hard to read - small type.
   Not as comprehensive as Tim Neely's guide.
   I found a lot of lp's that I wanted to find prices for were not in this guide.



4. I originally purchased Jerry Osborne's eighth edition in 1988. I was hoping to sell some of my vinyl, but most of my albums are not even listed in this 18th edition - A rip-off for me!



5. I Have been reading Mr Osbornes price Guides For Years ,But I Must Say He Must Have Asked Dealers Who Had Stock On A Lot Of These Items..Jerry get Real !! . These Prices Will never Be Realized. A Lot Of Northern Soul at Crazy Prices .. Like Dance Dance Dance by The Casuleers for $700..I will be Happy To Sell You a few For a Third Of That Price There are Way Too many To Mention . In This World Of Vinyl Collecting It seems That There Are No New Collectors To take The Place Of The Old Ones Who have Bought Everything They Need by Now. I Mean How many New Doo Wop Collectors Are There ? I Think Not.Makes it Hard For Dealers Who try To Still Buy Records . When Someone Whips Out The Guide and Then Thinks Your trying To Rob Them..But I guess It Makes the Collector Feel Good To Think He Has Something he Bought On Ebay For $10.00 Worth $200
   All My Bass To you
   Steve Horn
   The Legends Of Doo Wop

4 comments about Country Music Records: A Discography, 1921-1942.

1. After a long wait, Tony Russell and Bob Pinson's massive discography of pre-war Country Music records has finally been published. The discography lists all known country recordings before 1943 by artist and includes full recording and release information. They are all here from the famous (Acuff, Davis, Rodgers, Wills) to the lesser known (Hartman's Heartbreakers, the Alley Boys From Abbeville). The book is well organized and easy to use with two indices--one for song titles and another for session players. There is not enough praise for this labor of love, which belongs in every serious student of country music's library.



2. The long-awaited labor of love by respected discographers and country music experts Tony Russell and the late Bob Pinson has finally been published -- and it's been well worth the wait. The comprehensive discography is everything and more a collector of old-time country music could ask for. As well as being THE reference book on old-time country recordings, this magnum opus makes fascinating recreational reading. The sheer depth of scholarship is astounding, with collectors and discographers from around the world contributing. As Tony Russell says, though, it is regrettable that Bob Pinson didn't live to see the finished book. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. If Amazon allowed it, I'd award it a 10-star rating.



3. Very thorough, beautifully laid out, with guide words at the top, a nice introduction and user's guide, and perhaps as important as any feature, a terrific title and performer index in the back. If a title was done by multiple performers, this index even breaks this down with the appropriate page numbers. It is astonishing how many otherwise wonderful discographies have been written, only to have left out the all-important title index. Not so here! It is user-friendly, and you will love it if you are interested in early country music.
   Warren Hodgdon (warrensdiscs)



4. This book is exactly what I've been looking for for some time, a discography for every Country record from 1921-1942, with session dates, accompanists, if any, with what instruments played, matrix numbers and catalog numbers of records actually issued and on what labels. A collectors' dream. Same format as Dixon & Godrich's Blues & Gospel Records 1890-1943, and Brian Rust's Jazz Records 1897-1942. I was interested in Cajun reecords, which, until this volume, were not well covered.

4 comments about Vanished Armies: A Record of Military Uniform Observed And Drawn in Various European Countries During the Years 1907 to 1914 (Shire General).

1. Many thanks to Crowood Press for publishing this book. I was somewhat familiar with Haswell-Miller's work, in a few books on the British Army, and some post card reproductions, but I was unaware of the scope of his work regarding other European armies, pre-1914.
   Thw author's style is appealing to me, and the illustrations were all done from life, during his travels over the years. The British Army, as to be expected, and the German Army are covered in depth, with the French Army a close third, as well as the Austro-Hungarian forces. There are also decent sections on the Belgian, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish Armies. My only real diaappointment was the small section on the Russian Imperial Army, only two plates.
   For those with a serious interest in the full dress of European armies at it's peak, or for any military uniform enthusiast, I recommend this book highly.
   My only complaint is that two plates in the British section were repeated, thus one plate is missing. A publisher's error that is inexcusable.



2. Solid eyewitness full-color watercolors of European soldiers as seen in public in pre-World War One Europe (some a little later). Many of the uniforms are thus some variation of social or walking-out dress. No close ups of badges or insignia. Also by the nature of things, bandsmen are well represented, as are some cloaks, capes, and overcoats as worn in colder weather. Great Britain and Germany have the most numerous examples, but smaller countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands can be seen as well. The range of subjects makes no attempt at being comprehensive, but rather is just what chance presented to the traveling artist during this time. Since color photography was rare back then, this is the next best thing. Recommended.



3. VANISHED ARMIES: A RECORD OF MILITARY UNIFORM OBSERVED AND DRAWN IN VARIOUS EUROPEAN COUNTRIES DURING THE YEARS 1907 TO 1914 offers a collection painted in the early 1900s by author A.E. Haswell Miller, a Scottish artist and army officer fascinated by military dress. It appears in print for the first time and provides a collection of watercolors and notes key to any military history collection.



4. A fine book. I recomend it to enyone who is intersted in the full dress uniforms of the beginnig of XX century, but I must notice that two plates of the British Army are repeated, so one is missing.

5 comments about 1000 Record Covers (Taschen 25).

1. I wish it were more descriptive but the images of the covers make the purchase worthwile for the collector. It have does have some great images of hard to find covers from the 40's 50's and 60's.



2. As the son of an Old School Disc Jockey my family received Albums in the mail every month from all the major labels. Between that and digging thru record bins at shops as a kid I think I've seen 60 to 75% of the art in this book. I really miss the size of those albums.
   
   It makes me think of my first trip to Europe. Seeing the scale the masters used when creating art that we only saw in text books. It can be overwhelming. Maybe thats why most CD art "under-whelms me to this day. 4 and 3/4 square does not an impression make.
   
   I would hope that they would create a volume two. As opposed to purchasing a competing book with some of the same artwork. Its no accident that I design covers for a living now. And yes, I design on a 12 inch spec and shrink down. The art demands it.



3. I bought this book as a gift to my dad, an avid record collector. The book was in good condition, and arrived sooner than I anticipated. My dad and I were both very pleased, thank you!



4. There is entirely too much nudity. I feel like a scum-bag for buying it.



5. Like all Taschen books, this one does not disappoint. Taschen is famous for their great curation, and this is no exception. This book has a lot of classic covers, and is beautifully put together. If you have not purchased a Taschen book before, you will really enjoy this!

5 comments about Vinyl Junkies: Adventures in Record Collecting.

1. This book made me break into a grin-and-nod combo more than once in recognition (frequently scaring other subway passengers). No matter. Reading about others chasing the elusive high of the vinyl dragon was comforting - and totally entertaining.
   
   I also liked the fact that this book that this book bemoaned the rarity of female collectors (Crumb's quote, "it never gets them hot," is hilarious). I'm one of those rarities myself (26 and trolling flea markets for records since I was 9 or 10), so it was interesting -if not really particularly surprising - to find out there's not a lot of us out there. "There's not many women who want to sit around and debate the best Elvis Costello album" line made me laugh, too - `cause I do!
   
   I'd recommend this for anyone who's ever collected anything - you're likely to find kindred spirits within these covers.



2. Everything you wanted to know about those with the urge to collect pre-CD recordings. Lots of fun to read. Don't be surprised if many of the characters in the book hit close to home. Nostalgia abounds. If you are reading this review -- you are already pegged as a collector. Just wear the label, smile, and read the book.



3. This book read like a newspaper article, never slowing down, always keeping you interested. Be careful though, after I read it I immediately got the urge to go out search for that ever elusive copy of my latest must have... Darn you gemm.com and your great marketplace pricing... If you are a vinyl junkie like me beware, you may just head over to gemm as well... Great read and a fascinating look at what makes the junkie inside all of us tick.



4. I ordered this book, Vinyl Junkie, after attending a vinyl convention at a local hotel. It was fascinating talking to the collectors, sellers and voyeurs like me. I've only randomly viewed the text of the book, but I will certainly vouch for the condition and promptness in which it arrived, just as promised. And the price was very reasonable.



5. This book works two ways. It interviews guys from big bands like REM and Sonic Youth about their collecting habits, and collectors who accumulate 78s, punk, old industrial records, any fetish you can name.
   
   An ok concept for a book, but not a great one. Vynal Junkies comes across more as an attempt to explain the fetish--which I am happily afflicted with--to the non-infected then a book for insiders. A carrier, i can tell you no one who does not enjoy this passion cares to understand it.
   
   The book's focus on vynal was also a letdown. I collect music, not records. Some people may hone in on records as an end, but most hardcore music heads go for all kinds of music, regardless of format. Albums, I got em'. CDs, 1000s. Reel to Reel, a few. If they find a way to put music into hamburger meat, I will be buying that, too. I would rather buy fifteen great records for $75 dollars than blow my wad on a 1970 Bulgarian mono pressing of Magical Mystery Tour on yellow delicious Apple vynal. It's the music, stupid, not the hen's tooth.
   
   Vynal Junkies narrows the scope by making it seem more about a fixation on the black disc than what collectors really want; orgasmic never ending tidal waves of great music.
   
   i also expected to come away from this overwhelmed, with 100s of new titles i did not know and had to get. Where to begin? The book does not do this.
   
   Still, it is worth a read if you like music, as the writting is good and there are some very funny moments, and very eccentric characters.

5 comments about Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records.

1. over and over,neelys guides come out faithfully showing all the wonderfull records you would love to own,stating decent prices anyone would wanna pay for them ..and then hits you in ther gutt by telling you they arent worth a third of that amount to dealers.
   when it comes to books like these everyone suddenly becomes a dealer.
   or else the near mint pricing is all anyone looks at.
   its a good book but its repetitive of all the other books hes done.and in fairness,all the other writers books too who do yearly record guides.
   and when it comes to showing scans of rare records..welp..it looks good but it doesnt make me wanna run out and buy them.
   in other words a collector can own one of these..preferably this book..and never buy another one because the info will not change much.
   just the packing and covers.
   still..a good xamas gift ands hard work involved.



2. This book is a fantastic resource for any collector, especially an amateur like me. After I learned how to "read" the entries, it was very easy to get the information I needed, and I learned quite a lot about the valueof the records I grew up with, as well as the picture sleeves which are often worth far more than the vinyl!



3. I BOUGHT THIS ITEM AFTER BUYING THE BOOK GOLDMINE RECORD ALBUM PRICE GUIDE. I GOT IT PRIMARILY BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE HOW MUCH SOME OF MY 45 RECORDS ARE WORTH AFTER LOOKING AT THE ALBUM PRICE GUIDE AND FINDING THAT SOME OF MY ALBUMS WERE WORTH MORE THAN I THOUGHT. I ALSO CHECKED THIS AGAINST AN ONLINE SERVICE THAT SELLS ALBUMS AND 45'S AND FOUND THAT THE PRICES ON SOME OF MY MORE EXPENSIVE ALBUMS WERE PRETTY CLOSE TO WHAT THEY WERE SELLING FOR ON THE ONLINE SERVICE. ON SOME OF THE 45 RECORDS THAT I HAVE CHECKED THE PRICES IN THE BOOK ARE HIGHER THAN WHAT THEY ARE SELLING FOR ON THE COMPUTER. BUT THIS MAY BE BECAUSE THE PRICE GUIDE LISTS PRICES FOR RECORDS IN MINT CONDITION. FINDING OLD RECORDS IN MINT CONDITION IS VERY HARD BUT THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE PAYING TO MUCH FOR A RECORD AND I FOUND IT ALSO HELPS YOU REMEMBER OLD RECORDS THAT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT WHEN YOU WERE A KID. I HAVE SEVERAL BOOKS ON RECORDS THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR BUT THEY ONLY LIST THE TOP 100, THIS BOOK MAY NOT LIST ALL RECORDS BUT IT LISTS RECORDS THAT I HAD FORGOTTEN OVER THE YEARS THAT DID NOT MAKE THE TOP 100 LISTS. I WILL REFER TO IT OFTEN AS I CONTINUE TO INCREASE MY RECORD COLLECTION.



4. All I will say is if you're looking for any obscure stuff from the 70's 80's it's not in there. You're better off check websites that sell 45's.



5. Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM RecordsThis was an older edition, but was in like new condition.

5 comments about Goldmine Record Album Price Guide.

1. Purchased this for my 42-year old son. We absolutely loved it and spent three days looking through it. Worthwhile purchase.



2. The book itself did come apart in 3 days at center near K a few pages came loose. However the info was super on variations and they included some nice organist this time. Very positive on info given, where can we send info on 30 to 40 question mark answers on Release dates i have the answers!!!



3. I am a record collector and I find this book very helpful in determining the value of my collection.



4. I requested information from Seller as to which Edition they were selling and never got response. It turned out to be the 3rd Edition and the 5th is already out. Buyers beware: If a seller doesn't give you proper information---DON"T BUY FROM THEM!!!!!!



5. I was more than pleased with this guide. It's amazing what I learned about record albums and what to look for. While the appraisals are interesting, I question the ability to garnish these prices in the open market. However, they do give you a reference point of relative value.

4 comments about Goldmine Record Album Price Guide.

1. This guide is just what I needed to find out what I have is worth !!!THANKS



2. It's required reading for both the novice and seasoned vinyl record collector. An invaluable tool for identifying record pressing dates, suggested but very subjective values, and rules of the trade. Highly recommended for anyone interested in collecting or wanting to sell their prized vinyl LP collection. 3 thumbs up!



3. Goldmine's record price guides are notorious for their inaccuracy, especially when it comes to values. Most of the prices in the guide are wrong, but that has never stopped me from owning the Record Album Price Guides, because they include some invaluable info re pressing dates, label styles, catalog numbers, etc. However, the latest edition seems to have been slapped together lazily (with little or no research), and offers no improvement over previous editions.
   
   For example, the Label Identification Guide still omits key collectible labels, including Blue Note and Prestige - two of the most desirable jazz labels, where a difference in the address on the label can be the difference between a $20 LP and a $500 original pressing. The guide also still includes artists like Bing Crosby and Perry Como, even though it is impossible to find a collector who will pay $1 for any one of their LPs. The omissions are glaring, especially considering the popularity of vinyl records by bands {like White Stripes, for one example) whose LPs regularly bring high prices.
   
   Worst of all, Martin Popoff's articles are inaccurate at best, especially his essay on record hunting, "A Cabbagetown Excursion: My 16 LPs for $30." In that article, he claims that Julie Driscoll's "1969" is worth $95 for a "very rare" Canadian copy. Not only is that a spurious claim, but the LP's U.S. pressing is not even included in the price guide. That kind of inconsistency is unforgivable.
   
   As for the listings themselves, over 90% are simply reprints from previous editions, with no changes in data, no change in value. This is simply unrealistic and does not reflect the actual trends in record collecting.
   
   Unfortunately, Goldmine's Record Album Price Guide is the best book of its kind on today's market. However, my 4th edition is every bit as useful as the 6th, and copies of the 4th & 5th editions are widely available at half the price.



4. If you don't have an older edition it's great, however changes from the 4th or 5th editions are minimal.