Music Collectibles That Pay Big
Have you ever thought your dusty record collection or a long-forgotten concert poster could be worth a fortune? Vintage vinyl records, rare CDs, limited-edition cassette tapes, and autographed instruments like these could be and are worth thousands of dollars.
Once Upon A Time In Shaolin: Wu-Tang Clan
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is a groundbreaking concept in music collectibles. Released as a single copy album by Wu-Tang Clan in 2015, this exclusive album was auctioned for $2 million to controversial entrepreneur Martin Shkreli, and later seized by the US government before being resold for $4 million.
Wutangcashew, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kurt Cobain's MTV Unplugged Acoustic Guitar
During Nirvana's 1993 celebrated MTV Unplugged in New York performance, Kurt Cobain used his Martin D-18E guitar, modified for left-hand playing. The guitar was sold for almost $6 million in 2020 as it reminded people of one of the music legend's last performances.
Choose Your Weapon: Scaramanga Silk
This obscure electronic record by Scaramanga Silk may not be on every music fan's radar, but it holds a special place in the world of rare music collectibles. Pressed in an ultra-limited edition of just 20 copies, one record was sold for more than $40,000.
Messiah Stradivarius Violin
Crafted by the legendary Antonio Stradivari in 1716, the Messiah Stradivarius Violin is one of the most celebrated violins in history. Unlike most Stradivarius instruments, this masterpiece remains in pristine, nearly unplayed condition. It went through several modifications and currently resides at the Ashmolean Museum.
Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
"My Happiness": Elvis Presley
As Elvis Presley's first recording, "My Happiness" is a significant piece of music history. Recorded in 1953 as Presley's first-ever demo at Sun Records, this vinyl record was never commercially released. One copy was sold in 2015 to Jack White of The White Stripes for $300,000.
Bob Dylan's Newport 1965 Electric Guitar
Many consider the moment Bob Dylan woke away from traditional folk to be a pivotal milestone in music history. He used the 1964 Fender Stratocaster during his one-of-a-kind performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, where he performed "Like a Rolling Stone" for the first time.
Eden, Janine and Jim, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Black Album: Prince
Prince's enigmatic The Black Album is a legend in music history. Intended for release in 1987, Prince famously recalled the album just before its release, citing it as evil. Only a few promotional copies survived, which made them incredibly rare.
Casablanca's "As Time Goes By" Piano
Many Casablanca fans remember Ingrid Bergman asking Dooley Wilson or Sam to play the piano. His 1942 performance of "As Time Goes By" is a piece of cinematic and musical history, which eventually earned the piano a $3.4 million value when it was sold.
Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
John Lennon's Gibson J-160E
As the most expensive Beatles memorabilia, John Lennon's Gibson J-160E was used in the early Beatles recordings. The guitar went missing around 1963, but it was later sold for $175. In 2015, a collector bought it for $2.4 million.
Lauren Gerson, Wikimedia Commons
Smile: Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson's memorabilia usually attracts high prices from music lovers and collectors. However, Smile is one of the most expensive CDs. It was released in 1997 in Austria, but he quickly canceled it, and it was never released again, with a few surviving copies.
Michael Jackson - Smile (Official Video) by Michael Jackson Videos
Steinway & Sons "Pictures At An Exhibition" Piano
The "Pictures at an Exhibition" Piano was a custom-made piano specifically created for the legendary classical pianist Vladimir Horowitz by Steinway & Sons. He used it to perform Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition", among other works, and was decorated with figures from Russian musical history.
Pictures At An Exhibition Steinway Piano by SinoVision 美国中文电视
"Love Me Do": The Beatles
In 2015, a vinyl record of "Love Me Do" by the Beatles was sold for $15,000 on Discogs. Originally released in 1962, the first 250 copies of this record are highly sought after. The first pressings show Paul McCartney's name misspelled as McArtney on the label.
Beatles - Love Me Do - Vinyl Play by humanjukebox45s
Signed Fender Stratocaster Guitar
Although this guitar was never owned by any celebrity, it's a collector's dream. The guitar features the autographs of Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and David Gilmour and was sold for $2.7 million, with proceeds donated to "Reach Out to Asia" to support victims of the 2004 tsunami.
Deidre Woollard, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ummagumma: Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd's experimental double album Ummagumma, released in 1969, is a cornerstone of progressive rock. While the album itself is well-known, its limited-edition promotional copies and specific foreign pressings are quite expensive, and they retail for thousands of dollars among collectors.
Falling Hearts: Runner
Released only in Korea, Falling Hearts is a 1991 album by Runner. As a matter of fact, by the time of its release, the band would have already changed its name to Desire. It was probably recorded in 1987 by an independent label but it remained unreleased, which explains its rarity.
라성민, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Charlie Parker Grafton Alto Saxophone
The Grafton Alto Saxophone used by Charlie Parker is a priceless piece of jazz history. Made from ivory-colored acrylic, it was a departure from traditional brass construction. It became legendary after Parker used it during his iconic performance at the Toronto Massey Hall concert in 1953.
Nabokov, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Double Fantasy: John Lennon And Yoko Ono
Autographed by John Lennon for Mark David Chapman, the signed copy of Double Fantasy, Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1980 album, was sold in 1999 for $150,000. Its value stems from the fact that Lennon signed it only a few hours before his untimely death.
Eric Clapton's 1968 Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar
Eric Clapton's 1968 Martin D-45 is a legendary acoustic guitar associated with one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Clapton used this guitar during his early solo career, and it was sold for $625,000 at auction. Photos of Clapton playing his guitar are also among collectors' favorite memorabilia.
1968 Martin D-45 | CME Vintage Demo | Nathaniel Murphy by Chicago Music Exchange
Caustic Window: Aphex Twin
Originally planned for release in the mid-1990s, the Caustic Window project was shelved, leaving only a few test pressings in existence. The album is a beloved piece of electronic music history and one of these pressings was sold via Kickstarter in 2014 for $46,000, after being digitized.
Octavio Ruiz Cervera, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Macdonald Stradivarius Viola
Unlike Stradivari's violins, which are more commonly encountered, only eleven of his violas survive today, which makes this instrument a true gem. The Macdonald Stradivarius Viola was crafted in 1701 by Antonio Stradivari and was for sale with a starting price of $45 million in 2014.
The 'Macdonald' Viola by Antonio Stradivari by Sotheby's
"'Till There Was You": The Beatles
Originally from the musical The Music Man, The Beatles' cover of "'Till There Was You" is one of the rarest artifacts from the band's early years. The record was produced as part of a demo sent to record companies in 1962. It was later sold for about $110,000.
Eric Koch, Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Rijksfotoarchief, CC BY-SA 3.0 NL, Wikimedia Commons
Jimi Hendrix's 1968 White Fender Stratocaster
Every rock music lover would probably be familiar with Jimi Hendrix's 1968 White Fender Stratocaster. As one of the most iconic instruments, Hendrix famously played this guitar during his performance at Woodstock in 1969. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen bought it for about $2 million.
Eden, Janine and Jim, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
"Do I Love You": Frank Wilson
"Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" is one of the rarest Northern Soul records ever produced. Two to five copies of the 1965 Motown single are known to exist, as Frank Wilson destroyed the majority of the pressing. The single is among the most expensive 7-inch 45rpm records sold.
"Alcohol And Jake Blues": Tommy Johnson
Recorded in the 1930s, Tommy Johnson's "Alcohol and Jake Blues" is an extraordinary piece of Delta blues history. With Johnson's haunting vocals and masterful guitar work, this 78rpm record captures the raw essence of early blues. Only a few original copies of the record exist.
78rpm Record Fragility Demo 'Alcohol And Jake Blues' by Charles Slater
Ringo Starr's Beatles' Drum Kit
Ringo Starr's iconic Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl drum kit was the backbone of many of The Beatles' early hits. Starr used this kit during memorable performances in 1963 and 1964, including the recording of "I Want to Hold Your Hand". The kit was auctioned for $2.2 million.
Mark Roeder, Wikimedia Commons
White Album: The Beatles
The White Album, released in 1968, is one of The Beatles' most experimental and diverse works. The first pressing of the album, serial number 0000001, is especially valuable due to its association with the band members themselves. It originally belonged to Ringo Starr and was sold for $790,000.
David Gilmour's Black Stratocaster
In 2019, David Gilmour's Black Stratocaster was sold for more than $3.9 million. This guitar's high price is related to its association with Pink Flyod's iconic music, as its riffs and solos were used on several albums like Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.
TheTankman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
John Lennon's Imagine Piano
John Lennon used the Steinway Model Z upright piano to compose "Imagine" and it became one of the most cherished instruments in history. The song became an anthem of peace and hope and George Michael bought the piano in 2000.
Ronald Saunders, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" Lyrics
"Like a Rolling Stone" is one of the greatest rock songs of all time and the hand-written lyrics by Bob Dylan is one of the most sought-after memorabilia. Written on hotel stationery in 1965, the draft includes doodles and revisions that reflect Dylan's poetic mastery.
Handwritten lyrics for Like a Rolling Stone sell for $2 million at auction by AP Archive
John Lennon's Painted Rolls Royce
Everything that ever belonged to The Beatles holds a high value. However, John Lennon's 1965 Phantom V Rolls Royce is among the most expensive items. Famously painted in a psychedelic design, the car shows the sassy style of the late 1960s. It was sold for almost $2.3 million.
edvvc, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Noel Gallagher's Smashed Gibson ES-355 Guitar
During a heated argument before a show in 2009, Noel Gallagher's Gibson ES-355 guitar was destroyed to become a symbol of the volatile relationship between Oasis members before their split. Despite being smashed, the guitar was sold in an auction for more than $400,000.
Paul McCartney's Yamaha BB-1200 Bass
Paul McCartney's Yamaha BB-1200 bass is one of the defining instruments of his post-Beatles career. McCartney used this bass extensively during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Yamaha BB-1200 was sold in 2022 for $496,100 at auction.
VINTAGE JAPANESE BASS GUITARS: Yamaha BB1200 Work Log report: SUCCESS! By Bass Japan Direct
Yesterday & Today: The Beatles
The infamous Butcher Cover version of Yesterday & Today is one of the rarest and most collectible Beatles albums. It featured the band dressed in butcher smocks surrounded by doll parts and raw meat but was quickly withdrawn due to public backlash. Few copies of this controversial pressing survived, though.
Elvis Presley's 1942 Martin D-18 Acoustic Guitar
An anonymous buyer paid $1.32 million for The King of Rock and Roll's one-of-a-kind guitar. Elvis Presley's 1942 Martin D-18 was used during the early stages of his career, including performances at the Sun Records studio in Memphis and on the stage.
Eden, Janine and Jim, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Safety EP: Coldplay
Coldplay's The Safety EP, released in 1998, was a limited-run demo used to promote the band in its early days. Only 500 copies were made, with many given to friends, family, and record labels. This rare artifact captures the band's sound before they became global superstars.
Coldplay - Safety E.P. CD by Danny007
"Pennyroyal Tea": Nirvana
Production of Nirvana's "Pennyroyal Tea" single was canceled following Kurt Cobain's death, although it was to be released in 1994. Only a few promotional copies were distributed before the cancellation, making it one of the rarest Nirvana collectibles due to tragic events surrounding its cancellation.
Sweetcide, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sound + Vision: David Bowie
As a comprehensive box set, David Bowie's Sound + Vision featured remastered tracks and alternate takes spanning his illustrious career. Limited-edition pressings and unique packaging make certain versions of this collection particularly expensive. Their value comes from Bowie's enduring influence and the compilation's curation of his groundbreaking work.
Stunning David Bowie Sound + Vision Box Set - watch the video by eil.com
Freddie Mercury's Yamaha Baby Grand Piano
The Yamaha Baby Grand Piano was used by Freddie Mercury to compose his famous "Bohemian Rhapsody". He also used it throughout his career, which made it one of the most significant instruments in rock history. This piano sold for more than $2 million at auction.
Freddie Mercury's piano sold for €2m to raise cash for AIDS research by Euronews Culture
The Lonely Hearts Club Band: The Beatles
Everything about The Lonely Hearts Club Band recorded by The Beatles is considered a hallmark of the 1960s pop culture. The original artwork, created by Peter Blake and Jann Haworth, features an array of famous figures and one signed copy was sold for more than $290,000.
A Love Supreme: John Coltrane
Released in 1965, A Love Supreme is a four-part suite that reflects Coltrane's spiritual awakening and mastery as a saxophonist and composer. The first pressings of the album with
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan: Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan's The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan is one of the most celebrated albums in music history. However, the rare early version of the album with a different tracklist drives collectors wild. The original pressing of the LP featured songs that were removed before the official release.
An Ideal For Living: Joy Division
In 1978, Joy Division released their first EP. The original release was pressed on 7-inch vinyl and featured a controversial cover designed by Bernard Sumner, who was called Bernard Albrecht on the cover. Only a few versions survived, as the artwork was replaced for the 12-inch release.
Supernatural Girl: Ferris Wheel
The Supernatural Girl album by Ferris Wheel is a rare and highly sought-after vinyl record from the obscure British psychedelic rock band. Released in 1974, it became a cult favorite due to its haunting lyrics and dreamy production. Original pressings of the single are extremely hard to find.
Prince's Cloud Guitars
Custom-made for the artist, Prince's Cloud Guitars were symbols of his flamboyant style and creative genius. Designed for Prince's film Purple Rain, these uniquely shaped guitars were used in several performances and videos. One of them was sold for more than $900,000.
Fernando Martello, Wikimedia Commons
"Hey Jude" Lyrics: The Beatles
The hand-written lyrics for The Beatles' iconic song "Hey Jude" were written by Paul McCartney. Initially written as "Hey Jules," the song was meant to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, during his parents' divorce. The lyrics were sold for $910,000 at auction in 2020.
