A "great" record collection, like a book collection, could include first editions of "classics" and limited editions. When I hold a first pressing of a "classic" record like an original Columbia "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis or a rarity like the Beatles "Butcher" album, or a hard to find like a Nautilus lp edition of the Allman Brothers' "Live at the Fillmore East", than I feel I have handled history. Second editions, recent remastered reissues of classics are xerox-like copies of the original, good for listening, but not quite a "collectable". Whenever possible, get a first pressing of a "classic" or well regarded album because there's a reason why it is considered a "classic". Bottom line? Like everybody said, if you think it's great, it is great. (But it'd be greater if you have some "collectables".)
What makes a record collection "great"?
Many times over the years I've heard people describe someone as owning a "great" record collection. I own well over a 1000 LP's, many of which I would call great music, but no one has ever complimented me on having a great collection.
What differentiates a good or very good collection from a great one? Is it size, collectability/rareness, genre, original pressings vs. reissues, all, some or none of the above? I look forward to your input.
What differentiates a good or very good collection from a great one? Is it size, collectability/rareness, genre, original pressings vs. reissues, all, some or none of the above? I look forward to your input.
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A 'great' collection isn't the same as a 'large' collection-for a collection to be 'great', it must be completest within it's own specific genre, including a historical perspective, and a large number of rare or unusual recordings. Let's look at, say, jazz. A great jazz collection would, by necessity, be a very large collection-tens of thousands, at least. However, a more specific 'Coltrane' collection, or 'Blue Note' collection, could still be great within it's specific subcategory, but require a library of far fewer recordings. Put another way, this guy http://superbizzee.blogspot.com/2009/05/ballad-of-record-rama.html who's been trying to sell his collection for years, supposedly has 3 million records, including 1 million lps. Without knowing the specific titles, all I can think of is that, in the long history of the lp, they put out millions of really, really crappy records. just my opinion, of course. And for the record, I have a relatively 'large' collection, but nothing really 'great'-even though I 'greatly' enjoy it. |
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