Calling all vinylphiles, music historians, and treasure hunters! The BBC is opening the dusty doors of its massive vinyl vaults, offering up a treasure trove of rare and classic records for auction throughout 2024. Yes, you read that right – prepare to unleash your inner crate digger because gems from The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, David Bowie, and even some more obscure gems like Bathory will be up for grabs.
But fear not, music purists – according to Classic Rock these aren't the BBC's prized master copies being sacrificed. No, these are duplicate pressings from their 285,000-strong vinyl archive, giving music lovers a chance to own a piece of broadcasting history (without affecting future playlists).
The first wave of over 400 records hits the gavel on January 30 at Omega Auctions, and the lineup is enough to make any collector weak in the knees. Bowie fans can bid on originals of Space Oddity and The Man Who Sold The World, both boasting first-run UK pressings and unique features like a gatefold sleeve and the infamous producer "Tonny" Visconti misspelling.
For those who prefer their music a touch heavier, Black Sabbath's iconic "Vertigo Swirl" pressings of their first three albums await (at an estimated price of £100-£150), alongside a curious selection of six (!) different pressings of The Beatles' Please Please Me. And yes, there's even a chance to snag a piece of Swedish black metal history with a collection of the first four studio LPs of Bathory's early work.
Don't forget the space rock pioneers Pink Floyd either – rare pressings of The Piper at the Gates of Dawn and A Saucerful of Secrets are ready to transport you back to the psychedelic '60s, complete with the charmingly misspelled "Let There Me More Light."
So, mark your calendars for January 30 and get ready to dig into this vinyl jackpot – who knows what hidden treasures you might unearth? The bidding wars can be fierce, so dust off your wallets… and happy hunting!
