Most recordings you own by a single artist, group, or composer

Fleschler, that is interesting you’ve that many albums, virtually a library of music. Are the many you mentioned, those for whom you have the complete output?

How do you go about acquiring so many? Do you buy up others collections for example, or go to record conventions? Or simply buy online and haunt used record stores? And have you had the opportunity to listen to most of your albums at least once? Just impressed and curious.

You rarely see 78’s anymore at least in my neck of the woods, western Virginia. There was one record shop in Manhattan I visited on a trip back home many years ago that had a lot of old jazz recordings on 78’s, but I’ve seen few since.

Geoffkaitt, I’d appreciate if you'd recommend a couple or so of your all time favorite Wagner recordings from your collection? Thanks,

Mike

My parents started buying records for me at 2 before I spoke.  By 5, I had 300 records (classical, childrens and 50s R&R).  Through the years, I purchased from stores and collections.  One ethnic collection of unused 78s was purchased from a store going out of business for 50¢ each, about 400.  The last collection I picked through I purchased about 800 LPs from the late Tom Null collection (200,000+) last year.  He was the owner/producer of Varese Sarabande and Newport Classics.  I could have purchased the entire collection very very cheaply, but I did not want or could store that many LPs (and tapes).  

I only occasionally purchase more LPs now and 78s are only from local garage sales.   I have 2000 unplayed classical 78s from the 30's & 40's for sale for 20 years at $1000 but no one is interested.  Tough sell except on ebay for much higher prices but I have no time for ebay sales of 78s.

I purchase CDs on line all the time (7,000+).  I rarely buy a dud.  My friends are remastering engineers and give me hints on great jazz recordings.  My classical and pop recordings are chosen based on reviews or my knowledge of the recording, mastering engineer or producer.  E.G. I know that any Bones Howe early stereo recording is going to be great sounding.   

I only keep recordings if I would want to hear them three times annually;  otherwise, I sell it (or attempt to).  I've sold 18,000 78s and LPs in the past 20 years.   It's my own rule.  

I listen to music at least 1.5 to 2 hours at night, more on weekends.  All through school, I would study with instrumental music in the background (vocal would interrupt my concentration).  My audio systems are so involving, that I eagerly anticipate hearing music daily.  I also perform and record high quality local musicians (occasionally at the Gindi, Disney, Royce, Ford halls and chamber music).

P.S. I am 64 and have many years of collecting.  I also have a normal life, career and family.  I have other interests as well.  I moved last year to a large home which enabled me to house my collection as well as 3500+ books.  If I were starting out collecting today, I would concentrate on CDs and select LPs, particularly those unavailable on CD.  Unless you want to make a commitment to 78s, I wouldn't start.  It is a heavy and delicate collection.  I have many 1000 LPs and 78s which will never be made into CDs or streamed.   As to buying entire output of performers, there are some great sources for 78s, including Marston records for classical vocal and piano, Romophone (defunct) for classical vocal, Biddulph (almost gone) for classical strings, etc.  As to bargain basement Jazz collections, RealGone Jazz is a hit and miss proposition as they don't use masters but often dub from LPs.  AVID collections are much more consistent.  I'm buying more Jazz on CD than any other category.  Great sounding complete sets are being issued by Sony (RCA, Columbia, Philips classical), many good sets on Warner (EMI, Parlaphone & Erato).  Some DGG sets and Decca sets sound good but I find that Decca opera CDs are inferior to the LPs.  

Have you been listening to the Beatles song, When I’m 64, much this year? 

Fleschler, I’m with you on buying those jazz complete sets on CD. They are a great bargain if you can find those that are well done like on the labels you mentioned. Thanks for mentioning which lablels are good in that regard. That’’s a valuable piece of information. It must have been fun picking through the Tom Null collection of 20,000 albums. You must have found some real gems there. That’s an impressive number of books too, another interest we share. You must have a large library room.

I’m a bit older than you at 68, and have fortunately reached a point in my life where I have most everything I want and need paid for. So after a couple more purchases of tractor implements, I plan to focus my disposable income on acquiring CD’s, books, and maybe a little more artwork. I’ve about 1200 books, so am much closer to catching up with you in that category. Some traveling and maybe learning to play a tenor sax purchased forty years ago also come to mind. Might as well enjoy retirement.

Thanks for sharing how you do your purchasing. I’ve go to find out how to locate sales like the Tom Null one you mentioned. I tried purchasing a large classical collection found at an antique mall locally once. After seeing it, I went back the next day to make an offer at a price my late wife and I discussed and thought was reasonable. The whole collection was gone. Day late and a dollar short I guess.   

Mike