Guides
For vinyl collectors.
Practical answers to the questions collectors ask before, during, and after building a catalog. New guides added as the questions come up.
Looking up a specific record?
Browse 40 album value guides.
First-press labels, catalog numbers, matrix clues, and value ranges by condition.
Comparing more than one album?
Browse vinyl values by artist.
Put collectible originals side by side and see which labels, matrices, and inserts move each record's value.
Starting with the center label?
Identify four classic pressing-label families.
Visual markers, rim text, catalog prefixes, plant clues, and records that use each design.
Staring at the dead wax?
Decode 20 matrix and runout marks.
Matrix prefixes, mastering signatures, plant codes, and the symbols that look like scratches until you know what they mean.
Album value
Creedence Clearwater Revival — Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits first-press value.
What an original 1976 first-press is worth, how to tell it from reissues, and what pushes a clean copy to the top of its range.
Album value
Carly Simon — No Secrets first-press value.
What an original 1972 first-press is worth, how to tell it from reissues, and what pushes a clean copy to the top of its range.
Album value
Carly Simon — Anticipation first-press value.
What an original 1971 first-press is worth, how to tell it from reissues, and what pushes a clean copy to the top of its range.
Album value
Nick Drake — Five Leaves Left first-press value.
What an original 1969 first-press is worth, how to tell it from reissues, and what pushes a clean copy to the top of its range.
Album value
Nick Drake — Bryter Layter first-press value.
What an original 1971 first-press is worth, how to tell it from reissues, and what pushes a clean copy to the top of its range.
Album value
Nick Drake — Pink Moon first-press value.
What an original 1972 first-press is worth, how to tell it from reissues, and what pushes a clean copy to the top of its range.
Album value
Pat Benatar — Crimes of Passion first-press value.
What an original 1980 first-press is worth, how to tell it from reissues, and what pushes a clean copy to the top of its range.
Album value
Pat Benatar — In the Heat of the Night first-press value.
What an original 1979 first-press is worth, how to tell it from reissues, and what pushes a clean copy to the top of its range.
Album value
Aerosmith — Toys in the Attic first-press value.
What an original 1975 first-press is worth, how to tell it from reissues, and what pushes a clean copy to the top of its range.
Album value
Aerosmith — Rocks first-press value.
What an original 1976 first-press is worth, how to tell it from reissues, and what pushes a clean copy to the top of its range.