The BBC is about auction off a lot of rare vinyl
The BBC literally (and I’m using that word correctly) has kilometres of shelving for its recorded music collection, something that dates back at least a hundred years. And in a situation familiar to obsessive music fans, they’ve run out of run. Time for a cull of the library.
Beginning January 30 and continuing over the next 18 months, the BBC is going auction off 285,000 vinyl records. From what I understand, these are mostly duplicates and all of them have been backed up. Like what? Rare releases from David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles.
Four hundred lots will be for sale through Omega Auctions.
- Lot 45: A Pink Floyd rarities back featuring A Saucerful of Secrets in mono.
- Lot 52 features “a curious selection of 6 LP copies of Please Please Me… varying pressings.”
- Lot 152 will feature an “original stereo LP pressing” of Bowie’s 1969 album (estimated sale price: £200-£400).
- Lot 153 is a “scarce, original UK stereo LP pressing” of The Man Who Sold The World. Released in 1970, it has the original “Bowie in a dress” artwork and with producer Tony Visconti name misspelled as “Tonny” Visconti.
- If you’re into rare metal and prog releases, there’s definitely something here for you.
There’s also an auction of some cool BBC memorabilia and gear. Bidding starts at 9am BST on January 30.
Love your columns. Always interesting. CKUA radio in Alberta has an enormous recoed library . Went on the air in 1927. Lots of old shellac and likely some was cylinders as well.
Cheers and keep up the good work.