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The World’s Rarest Record - no known copy to exist until now! A recent excursion unearthed a large, well maintained collection of 78 RPM records and World War II transcription discs. There were probably 200 or so records. Each record was well preserved in its original paper sleeve. These records were even boxed in lots of approx 20 records in original 78 RPM storage boxes. After thumbing through the lot (looking for artists that I may recognize, or songs of interest, and even interesting labels), I only walked away with five 78s. After a little research, the night that I bought them, I learned that I have discovered what may be the only known copy of one 78 in the collection.
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Nov
20
Posted by megocollector
At times, collecting is more than a hobby, it becomes an addiction. Over the years, I have collected many things, and the main focus of this site, by name, is the collecting of Mego action figures. The site as of late has focused into the collecting of Elvis Presley US release original records. My current collecting trend has led way for The Washington Post, Wednesday, November 5, 2008 edition. Not so much that it is probably regarded as the hottest collectible newspaper when it comes to post-election Obama, but because I collect variations, and as of my latest count, there are five. BTW, don’t read too much into this latest venture, I am a variation collector, and I found a variation worth collecting. It is the thrill of the chase.
If I were to assign a level of scarcity to the variations for this paper, I would base it on a scale of 1 being common to 10 be that extremely difficult.
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Sep
26
Posted by megocollector
In the early to mid 1990’s, Playmates Star Trek filled the action figure aisles. Remembering how fun it was to own and enjoy the original Mego Star Trek action figures, I wanted to get into collecting these new figures. When the first assortment was released, I was elated. I bought a complete set and was satisfied with that. Then another assortment. I bought into those too as they were of quality characters and I remember how I missed out on the second and third series of the Mego Star Trek figures. Another assortment, followed by assortment by assortment and so on. I bought almost all of them.
At the time, I was in retail, I was one of the early collectors who hit the stock rooms before the figures hit the floor. It wasn’t until the release of the 1701 Picard figure that suddenly I realized that I wouldn’t be able to complete a set. At this point of frustration, I became slightly aggravated as to how Playmates were creating a hysteria for the completionist collector while the scalpers were the ones that really made out. It didn’t take long for the 1701 Picard to hit $500 and rise quickly. I had to accept that loss.
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Sep
08
Posted by megocollector
The Mego Planet of the Apes action figure line was first introduced in 1974 as a result of a series of successful movie films. The action figure line was originally released on a larger card stock, then later reduced in size. Other variations include, blister shapes, whether or not a booklet was included featuring the Mego action figure lines, and packaging variations which included copyright placement. In the late 1990’s, there was a website that may have only had one page to it. That page, however, included reworked artwork for the Mego Planet of the Apes action figure lines. The front and backs of the cards for both the movies and television series were all there to be downloaded and enjoyed by all. I am not an expert in this line, however, a more refined look into these images will reveal that they are not perfect. An example of this is the rounding of the corners around the larger images on the back of the cards is a different angle. Other than that, they display very well.
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Aug
29
Posted by megocollector
Elvis Presley orange label, rigid vinyl pressing of It Happened At The World’s Fair! In 1968, RCA Victor Records deleted the black label, dog on top Nipper labels for the orange label with new RCA logo. With this change, RCA reissued much of the Elvis Presley catalog with this new label. Not all of the Elvis catalog were reissued with the orange label and not the entire catalog were issued in equal and abundant quantities. Regardless of the production numbers, these have become very desirable among collectors and are becoming quite rare and difficult to find. This previously undiscovered copy may change the way collectors look at the orange label releases. I would even go as far as suggesting that the entire Elvis Presley catalog was re-released, since there are only a few remaining to be seen.
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Aug
04
Posted by megocollector
Elvis Presley was in high demand and RCA wanted to capitalize in on this sensation. RCA released EPA-747 as Elvis’ first Extended Play record. The preview paper sleeve was used in the earliest releases of EPA-747 until the standard cardboard EP covers became available. These early release sleeves were accompanied by the earliest variation records. These early pressings have credited the song Just Because with P.D. (Public Domain), however, the song is not. Subsequent releases contained proper credits.
The record itself is not too difficult to obtain, the real value is in this sleeve. Although it is a rare sleeve, it is available from time to time.
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Aug
04
Posted by megocollector
In 1961, RCA Victor Records released His Latest Flame b/w Little Sister on compact 33. The prefix (37) denotes compact 33. The catalog (7908) is identical to the relatively common counterpart release as a 45 RPM (47-7908). This release was part of an industry-wide attempt to establish a one-speed record market which began in 1960, that was anticipated to phase out the 45 RPM within two to five years of it’s introduction. Using big name artists, like Elvis Presley to propagate sales of the compact 33 in the direction of market domination should have been enough, however, it wasn’t. In 1961, 45 RPM record sales were climbing at a record pace, the major discount stores cut retail prices by nearly 22%, and lack of inexpensive automatic 33-speed singles player discouraged the promotion of the compact 33. All these factors and more attribute to the extreme rarity of this single.
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Aug
04
Posted by megocollector
Elvis Presley monaural pressing of Speedway! Since the early 1960’s, RCA Victor Records had released the majority of their LP line in dual formats, monaural and stereo. The monaural releases are denoted with the prefix LPM, while the stereo is denoted by LSP. In 1968, the monaural format was phased out in favor of stereo. The later releases of 1968 were pressed in very limited quantities. Though it is not known the quantities, it is known that collectors will pay a premium for many of these releases. On such release is the last Elvis Presley album printed in dual formats, the rare monaural pressing of Speedway with catalog number LPM-3989.
It is interesting to note that this release is not listed in the 1978 discography listing of The Boy Who Dared To Rock. This is either an oversight or was not known to exist at the time of the pressing.
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Aug
04
Posted by megocollector
Elvis Presley monaural pressing of Elvis’ Gold records - Volume 4! Since the early 1960’s, RCA Victor Records had released the majority of their LP line in dual formats, monaural and stereo. The monaural releases are denoted with the prefix LPM, while the stereo is denoted by LSP. In 1968, the monaural format was phased out in favor of stereo. The later releases of 1968 were pressed in very limited quantities. Though it is not known the quantities, it is known that collectors will pay a premium for many of these releases. On such release is the second to the last Elvis Presley album printed in dual formats, the rare monaural pressing of Elvis’ Gold records - Volume 4 with catalog number LPM-3921.
There is a desirable slightly more common Canadian release, with an identical cover to the US release, however with “Printed in Canada” printed in yellow on the left hand side of the front cover. The record has “Long Play” on bottom.
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Jul
30
Posted by megocollector
“I’m crazy about these albums. They’re really Perfect for Parties.” says RCA Victor’s Elvis Presley. Among the other songs and artists on this Extended Play (EP) 45 RPM, Elvis Presley sings Love Me. In between the tracks, Elvis introduces the other artists. It was once believed that the only way to get the EP was to purchase an Elvis Presley RCA 45 RPM record player. This was reported in the Paul Lichter book, The Boy Who Dared to Rock: The Definitive Elvis , 1977.
A one page advertisement from a 1956 magazine however dispels this belief.
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