Record albums remain some of the hottest collectibles on the market. Unlike toys and figurines that tend to lay unopened on collectors' shelves, records are meant to be listened to and enjoyed. Collecting record albums can be relatively inexpensive, as LPs have fallen out of favor in popular culture--though you never know when you might stumble upon a treasure. There are different kinds of collectible record albums, and different people have vastly different philosophies on collecting. Perhaps you want a complete set of every album by a particular band or artist, while another collector may be seeking only imports and foreign titles. Considering that the first popular record albums were printed in the early 20th century, there are over a hundred years of titles and genres from which to draw a collection. Finding a truly collectible record album can be a fun challenge. Record albums often went through several pressings, sometimes with different artwork or track listings, and it's these unique variations that make certain albums so collectible. Many record albums were created with the collector in mind--limited editions, exclusive packaging, and fan club exclusives are all hot collectibles. Those seeking collectible record albums may also hunt for foreign editions of their favorite album, which may differ significantly from a domestic release. There are many music lover and collectors' groups that meet regularly to discuss their latest collectible finds. Several pricing guides and books about collectible record albums are published on a regular basis, helping to give the novice collector a good place to start. Online auction houses will also point those new to collecting in the right direction.
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