The Rarest Holiday Music Records
Last-minute gifts to WOW the music collectors on your list
In an era of conspicuous consumption, it's appropriate that some memories of Christmas Past come with a high price tag.
Christmas and music have been wedded together ever since carols were first introduced by Saint Francis of Assisi in the 12th Century. By the Victorian Era, the rosy glow of nostalgia had infected the sentiment of celebrating Christmas. Popular songwriters ever since have worked hard to create "evergreen" songs that would bring them residuals for many years. When you have singers and bands as diverse as Barry Manilow, The Chipmunks, Cyndi Lauper, Faith Hill, The Beach Boys, Stan Freberg, and Lynyrd Skynyrd putting out Christmas records, you know someone's thinking perennial catalog sellers.
A Christmas Gift for You - Phil Spector
Some of the records of Christmas Past have become among the most treasured items in collecting, not just for their rarity but for their performances. One of the greatest of them all, Phil Spector's A Christmas Gift For You, originally issued in 1963, featured stellar performances by The Ronettes, Darlene Love, Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans, The Crystals, and Phil the man himself. Although it has been in print in one format or another ever since, the original blue label issue can set you back $400 or more.
Various Holiday Greetings Records - The Beatles
Each Christmas the Beatles issued holiday greetings records for their fan club members. From 1963 through 1969 these flexi-discs became increasingly elaborate productions, starting as simply studio thank-yous to full-blown psychedelic extravaganzas. They are essential parts of the Beatles' legacy. The little discs can bring anywhere from $50 to $300, depending on condition and whether they also contain the mailing envelope and inserts. In 1970, when the Beatles split, the fan club decided to put all the Christmas recordings together on an LP, one of the greatest of all Beatles records. A nice, clean, sealed copy will set you back $400-$500.
Collectable Blues & R&B Records - Various Artists
Many blues and r & b performers cut Christmas records (think "Merry Christmas Baby" by Charles Brown). According to blues expert John Tefteller (www.tefteller.com), several 78 rpm Christmas records released prior to World War II can bring well over $1,000.00 each in near mint condition. Some of these include "Christmas In Jail" by Leroy Carr on Vocalion, "Lonesome Christmas Blues" by Blind Blake on Paramount, "Santa Claus Crave" by Elzadie Robinson on Paramount and "Christmas Eve Blues" by Blind Lemon Jefferson. Probably more valuable is the red vinyl version of "Just A Lonely Christmas" by The Moonglows on Chance, which could be well over $2,000.00.
Elvis' Christmas Album - Elvis Presley
The King recorded many religious and Christmas songs. But it is the original 1957 Elvis' Christmas Album that everyone is looking for. This elaborate gatefold LP is worth $700 or $800, depending on whether the title is printed in gold or silver on the album's spine. Add another $150 if it has the very cool "To" and "From" sticker on the front cover.
And, if it's the red vinyl version, make that $15,000.00.
Message to Santa: Get me any one (or two or three) of these, and it will definitely be a Christmas to remember.
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Stephen M.H. Braitman is a certified music appraiser with a background in music journalism, technology, and collecting. His Web site is www.musicappraisals.com.
Posted: Dec 18, 06 12:50pm
* includes photos
Hey Stephen,
I have a 45 of Happy Xmas (War is Over) with Listen, the Snow is Falling on the B-side, by John & Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band on green vinyl. There's no year on it, but I remember I bought it when it first came out.
I don't have the sleeve and it's been stored in a Disk-Go-Case (the round things with a fat spindle in the middle for your 45s) but the record isn't warped at all and it still plays fine.
Is this worth anything? Thanks for any info!
Posted: Dec 18, 06 10:34pm
A very popular record, and a very good one! It was issued with a picture sleeve, and it came in green vinyl. The year was 1971. If your label had the faces of John and Yoko on it, rather than the generic Apple, it would be worth slightly more. But without a picture sleeve, and stored completely naked (sleeveless), I'd suggest you just keep those memories close to you.
Posted: Jan 2, 07 12:44am
Hi Stephen...
Two things...
1) I have a 1963 Spector Christmas LP....purchased new in December '63..and it's on the yellow/red Philles label. I've never seen or heard of a blue one. What gives? I mean, this one has to have a low matrix number. It was in stores for two weeks when we bought it (released, by the way, on the day Kennedy was shot....oops).
2) I, too, have an original issue "Happy Xmas" single on Apple. No Lennon/Ono faces on mine, either. The faces appeared on their next 45, the "Woman Is The Nigger Of The World"/"Sisters O Sisters" single in the spring of 1972. Could that be what you're thinking of? Or am I just out of it??
Lou
Posted: Dec 18, 06 10:29pm
* includes photos
Here are images to accompany the article.