From a retracted version of "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" to the very first press of The Beatles' White Album – these records have been put on auctions and sought after by collectors all over the World.
'God Save the Queen' by Sex Pistols (1977)
Estimated price: $10,570
Deemed unworthy of airplay by the BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority upon its release, owing to its controversial lyrics and cover, only 25,000 were made which carried an A&M card envelope. Only nine such copies are believed to exist which still carry the record label's sleeve.
'Please Please Me' by The Beatles (1963)
Estimated price: $30,000 – $50,000
Even before the release of their debut album, The Beatles had already tasted great success from live performances in the early '60s. Capturing the band's Cavern Club-era sound, the album was recorded in just under 13 hours, despite John Lennon suffering from a severe cold. The pictured collector's edition features autographs of all the four members on the back cover, making it a must-have for a true Beatles fan.
'My Happiness' by Elvis Presley (1953)
Estimated price: $300,000
Pressed on an acetate disc, the record featured "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" – the first recording by the King of Rock and Roll. In 2015, musician Jack White purchased it for the aforementioned price and went ahead to digitally reproduce it in April that year to commemorate Record Store Day.
'Caustic Window' by Aphex Twin (1994)
Estimated price: $46,300
Originally planned for a 1994-release, the British electronic star abandoned the idea with only five test pressings ever produced. In 2014, it was made available for sale on the Discogs website and was bought and digitally distributed through a kick-starter campaign. The rare copy was sold on eBay for the above mentioned price.
'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan' (1963)
Estimated price: $35,000
Arguably one of the most popular Dylan albums, his second studio album originally had a U.S.-specific version with additional four songs, which was retracted by the record label. The withdrawn version comprised rare versions of songs such as "Rocks and Gravel," "Let Me Die in My Footsteps," "Gamblin’ Willie’s Dead Man’s Head, "and "Talkin’ John Birch Blues."
'Introducing... The Beatles' (1964)
Estimated price: $7,570
Released by Vee-Jay Records, the album was the first Beatles release in the U.S. Out of the many copies made, only 6,000 records were sold with a rare "Ad Back" sleeve.
'In Spite of All the Danger' by The Quarrymen (1958)
Estimated price: $250,000
Before the Beatles, there were the Quarrymen. The band, comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison along with pianist John Lowe and drummer Colin Hanton, recorded the 78-rpm acetate sometime in July 1958. It featured two tracks, "In Spite of All the Danger" and "That'll Be the Day" and is considered to be the only one of its kind. Valued at $250,000 by the Record Collector magazine, it now belongs to McCartney himself.
'Musique pour Supermarché' by Jean-Michel Jarre (1983)
Estimated price: $14,000 - $33,500
The virtuoso French composer made a single copy of the album and then destroyed the master tapes, which is why this record is expensive as well as rare.
'The Beatles' or the 'White Album' (1968)
Estimated price: $790,000
The particular edition No. 0000001 – the very first copy of the album – was originally owned by Ringo Starr. In 2015, he sold it off at an auction for the above price, setting a Guinness World Record for the most ever paid for a commercial álbum.
'The Velvet Underground & Nico' (1967)
Estimated price: $25,200
Working together with German vocalist Nico, the Velvet Underground's debut album was recorded in 1966. The early acetate pressing is the only copy known to exist and hence it is considered to be a rare collector's item. It was sold on eBay for $25,200.
'Love Me Do' by The Beatles (1962)
Estimated price: $10,000
Marked by a printing error which spelled McCartney as McArtney, the rare vinyl featuring the Beatles' debut single got sold on eBay for $10,000 in 2013.
'Would You Believe' by Billy Nicholls (1968)
Estimated price: $12,900
Only a hundred copies of this psychedelic album were made, making this a rare collector's item for any fan of the British Singer.
'Kind Hearted Woman Blues' by Robert Johnson (1937)
Estimated price: $9,000
Any record of Robert Johnson, one of the earliest influences on blues and rock and roll, is considered a collector's item by enthusiasts. Featuring his only guitar solo ever recorded, this rare 78 rpm record is indeed a coveted item.
(Pictured) Johnson's grave in Greenwood, Mississippi, U.S.
'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen (1975)
Estimated price: $6,480
Specially designed to be an invitation to a company event, the 7” record came with matches, a pen, a ticket, a menu, an outer card sleeve, a scarf and an EMI goblet. With the song "I'm in Love with My Car" on the B-side, the complete collection is extremely rare and valuable.
'Pride (In the Name of Love)' by U2 (1984)
Estimated price: $6,480
Featuring a photo of Martin Luther King Jr. and originally pressed in Australia, only five copies of the colored vinyl were made, making this remarkable single a treasured buy.
