Most Valuable Records You Might Actually Own
Most Valuable Records You Might Actually Own
Every few months, a new “Top 100 Most Expensive Records” list makes the rounds online — and nearly all of them feature impossibly rare titles that hardly anyone actually owns.
At We Buy Records Chicago, we meet sellers every week who bring in boxes of vinyl that look ordinary — until a few pieces turn out to be quietly valuable. This guide focuses on the kinds of records real people around Chicago and the Midwest actually own, and what to do if you think you’ve got something worth money.
What Makes a Record Valuable
Before diving into specific examples, it helps to know what separates a $5 record from one worth $50 or more. These are the traits that matter most:
- Rarity: Small-press runs, local private labels, or radio promos that weren’t sold in stores.
- Condition: Clean vinyl and intact jackets make all the difference. Even one scuff can cut the price in half.
- Demand: Some artists became collectible decades later, often in genres that were ignored when new.
- Pressing details: Early or first pressings, unique mastering stamps, or label variations add value.
- Genre: Funk, soul, jazz, punk, early hip-hop, metal, and 90s alternative tend to rise with time.
Common Albums That Might Be Worth $30 or More
Some fairly ordinary-looking titles can bring solid offers when they’re the right pressings and well preserved:
- Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (early Warner “Burbank” pressings or foreign pressings)
- Pink Floyd – The Wall (original Columbia gatefolds in clean condition)
- Prince – The Black Album (1987 U.S. promos or first issues)
- Nirvana – Bleach (original Sub Pop, pre-DGC reissue)
- Any Blue Note or Prestige jazz LPs with early labels or “deep groove” markings)
- Private soul or gospel LPs from small Midwest labels)
A clean copy of any of the above can easily reach $50–$150. The same title in rough shape might bring only a few dollars.
For Example, Here in Chicago Where We Are…
Some of the most interesting and valuable records we encounter come from right here in the Chicago area. If you grew up in the city or nearby suburbs, you might have some of these sitting around:
- Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions (Curtom) — Chicago soul LPs and 45s from the early 70s remain in steady demand worldwide.
- Twinight Records 45s — Local soul and funk from Syl Johnson, The Notations, and neighborhood acts. Most copies we see are G–VG and fetch $20–$40 when clean, though a few ultra-rare titles can reach higher.
- Trax & DJ International 12″ Singles — Early Chicago house records with simple hand-stamped or sticker labels often attract international collectors.
- Chi-Sound, Brunswick & Dakar LPs — 70s Chicago soul and disco albums once considered common now have solid collector value.
- Chicago Punk & Indie — Wax Trax!, Touch and Go, and DIY punk 45s and EPs are heavily collected; early and clean copies are best.
- Hip-Hop LPs & Rare Local 12″s — For hip-hop, LPs usually hold value unless a 12″ is a rare local or promo pressing — think early 90s Chicago indie rap or Midwest DJ releases.
Genres That Age Well
While trends come and go, a few genres consistently gain value as collectors rediscover them:
- Funk & Soul — Especially small-label or regional pressings.
- Jazz — Blue Note, Prestige, Impulse!, and spiritual jazz titles.
- Punk & Hardcore — Late 70s to 80s U.S. independent issues.
- Metal & Hard Rock — Early private-label metal or thrash LPs.
- Early Hip-Hop & R&B LPs — Especially 80s and early 90s albums from smaller labels.
- 90s Alternative & Indie — First pressings by bands like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and Radiohead are highly sought after.
How to Tell If Your Collection Has Hidden Gems
You don’t need to be a collector to identify potential value. Look for these simple clues:
- Unfamiliar or regional label names (especially Chicago, Detroit, or Midwest addresses).
- Matrix or runout etchings showing early mastering or small pressing info.
- Promo markings like “Not For Sale” or radio station stamps.
- Clean jackets and near-mint vinyl — condition matters most.
If you’re unsure, don’t spend hours pricing each one online — that’s what we do every day.
What To Do Next
If you think you might have valuable records, there are two easy ways to move forward:
We buy collections across Chicago and the suburbs. Text a few photos and get a quick response.
Stop by our Westchester location on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am–2pm. We also buy in person at the Chicagoland Record Show in Countryside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What records are worth money?
Typically records that were privately pressed, locally made, or released in small quantities. Chicago soul, jazz, and house titles are especially collectible.
How can I tell if my old records are valuable?
Condition, rarity, and demand matter most. Look for local labels, promo markings, or any small-run pressing details in the runout area.
Do you buy collections in the suburbs?
Yes — we regularly make house calls throughout Chicagoland for large or inherited collections.