'Britain's largest' private vinyl record collection to be auctioned in Surrey
A vast collection spanning decades of rock and pop music, including rare items, will be sold at auction this April by Woking based Ewbank's Auctioneers
A collection of approximately 30,000 vinyl records, amassed over years of dedicated buying, is set to go under the hammer at Ewbank's Auctioneers in Woking this April.
The collection, which includes records from iconic artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Joy Division, and David Bowie, is expected to fetch between £40,000 and £70,000, with some rare pieces potentially pushing the final total beyond £80,000.
"We were initially called in for a simple valuation of some records, but when we arrived, we found an extraordinary collection. The property was filled with rooms, attics, and outbuildings packed with shelves of vinyl," said Andrew Ewbank, who is overseeing the sale. "It was clear that the owner, who sadly passed away, had taken great care in maintaining these records over many years."
The collection includes a John Peel Sessions lot, featuring recordings from the likes of Sid Barrett, The Cure, and Jimi Hendrix, as well as rarities like David Bowie’s The Man Who Sold the World. The latter is particularly valuable due to a rare misspelling on the label, which is expected to fetch between £300 and £500, though it may exceed this estimate on the day of the auction.
David Bowie
Some of the rare pieces are expected to fetch thousands of pounds.
"This is a truly special collection, with records from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Some are highly sought after due to their rarity", Andrew says.
"As I'm sure you can imagine, it was quite a process to organise and catalogue ... you've got Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, the doors, anyone and everyone you can imagine from the 60s right through to the early 2000s."
Andrew noted that vinyl has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among collectors who seek physical music products in an age dominated by streaming. "The market for vinyl has grown significantly since we last handled a large collection in 2014. The strong interest in this auction is a testament to the enduring appeal of vinyl records."
The auction will take place on April 23rd and 24th.