Vinyl Record Collectors Prepare To Give Third-Party Grading A Spin

By Shawn Surmick

On Oct. 23, 2001, Apple released its very own digital music player, called the iPod. The device was the first of its kind to feature the capacity to hold close to 1,000 songs with a 10-hour battery life, all encased in a sleek futuristic design that weighed only 6.5 ounces. Upon its release, music industry executives declared that the age of physical media was over and recording artists would no longer release music in physical form. Until this point, the compact disc reigned supreme. Unpredictably, however, fate would intervene, and on May 10, 2022, Apple discontinued the iPod product line, and today, consumers can buy vinyl records of most of their favorite recording artists at Target, Wal*Mart, and Barnes & Noble.

As often is the case with most technological revolutions, consumers eventually tire of the advancement and clamor for a return to simpler times. This is evident by various news reports that have circulated stating that just in the year 2022 alone, 41 million vinyl records were sold compared to just 33 million compact discs. Consumers are not just clamoring to go back to the state of the art technology of the 1980s, but actually to the 1950s and 60s! And this resurgence of popularity in vinyl records is not coming from older generations either. It is actually younger music enthusiasts under the age of 40 who have adapted to listening to their current favorite artists on vinyl only.

Record companies have responded in kind to this growing trend. Much like the limited-edition holo-foil comic books and special edition sports cards that came out of the 1980s and ’90s speculative booms, today, vinyl record enthusiasts can purchase limited-edition remasters of their favorite albums from yesteryear as well, with a lot of popular musicians from the 1980s and ’90s rereleasing special-edition recordings in limited quantities. This has created a massive secondary market for not only these new contemporary records, but also the vintage originals that graced the likes of Sam Goody and Tower Records back when every mall in America had a record store.

With the advent and revolution of third-party grading taking the antiques and collectibles trade by storm, first appearing in coin grading back in the mid1980s, it was only a matter of time before it started to affect other collecting marketsl. In the early 2000s, comic books started to become professionally graded, and this trend would spread to toys, video games, and even VHS movies. Now all forms of physical media are being targeted by both established and up and coming grading companies who wish to encase your favorite collectibles in some form of plastic tamper-evident acrylic.

Some of the collecting categories being affected by thirdparty grading at present time are faring better than others. VHS movie grading is still seen as a niche collectors market and has not been met with the same success as that of video game or toy grading. It took toy grading many years to gain acceptance among collectors, and prices have only started to climb exponentially within the last few years. Today, toy grading by the likes of AFA (Action Figure Authority) is seen as being almost required if you

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19711 Newark 302-454-8007 AUNT MARGARET’S ANTIQUE MALL, 294 E. Main St. Mon- Sat. 10-5, Sun 12-5. 2 floors. Antiques, collectibles, vintage, primitives, much more! www.auntmargaretsantiquemall.com

19711 Newa

07052 West Orange973-323-1711

VALLEY VINTAGE, 168 South Valley Rd. Open Mon-Sat. 11-6, Sun. 12-5. 2100 sq.ft., 25+ dealers. Antiques, vintage, collectibles, furniture, decor, kitchenware, jewelry, books, LPs, ephemera.

07901 Summit 908-273-9373

SUMMIT ANTIQUES CENTER, 511 Morris Ave. 2 floors, 50+ dealers. Antiques, collectibles. Smalls to furniture. Open 7 days 11-5. Free Parking. www.thesummitantiquescenter.com

08005 Barnegat609-698-3020

BAY AVENUE ANTIQUES, 349 S. Main.

Open Thurs.- Sun., 1-5 PM or by appt. Book Seller, Pottery, Glass, Furniture, Holiday, Decoys, Antiques & UniquesPLUS Chalkpaint & Iron Orchid Design.

08016 Burlington609-747-8333 HISTORIC BURLINGTON ANTIQUES & ART EMPORIUM, 424 High Street. Open 6 Days, Tues.-Sun.: T, W, F, Sat., Sun: 11A-5P; Th.&F.: 11A-7P; Closed on Monday. www.antiquesnj.com

08081 Sicklerville 856-545-3187

CARNIVAL OF COLLECTABLES, 368

Cross Keys Rd. Open Wed.- Sat. 10am6pm, Sun. 10am-5pm. 12,000 sq.ft Antique & Arts Mall, over 100 dlrs. www.carnivalofcollectables.com

08096 Woodbury 856-205-3075

EVERGREEN ANTIQUES & MORE, 429

S. Evergreen Ave. Multi-dealer, 60+ dealers. 20,000 sq. ft., 1 floor ADA Compliant. Qty. antiques & collectibles. Huge, free parking. Mon.-Sat. 11 am-6 pm; Sun. 11am-5pm

08525 Hopewell609-466-9833

TOMATO FACTORY ANTIQUE & DESIGN CENTER, 2 Somerset St. We Have It All! Open Mon. thru Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-5. We have 38 Dealers. www.tomatofactoryantiques.com

16686 Tyrone 814-684-5088

I-99 ANTIQUES, conveniently located off the Tyrone Exit of Interstate 99, 1222 Pennsylvania Ave. Quality antiques & collectibles. 40 Dlrs. Open Th., Fri., & Sat., 10:30am - 4:30pm, Dlrs. welcome.

16801 State College 814-238-2980 APPLE HILL ANTIQUES, 2221 East College Ave. Distinctive antiques in a gallery setting. Over 60 dealers. Open daily 10 to 6. Wide variety.

17062 Millerstown717-589-7810

STITCH IN TIME ANTIQUE & GIFT MALL, 43 N. Market St. Antiques, Collectibles, Furniture, Quality Handmade Crafts & Gifts. Open 7 days 10-5, Fri. til 8. Millerstown exit off RT 322.

17350 NewOxford717-624-3800

ZELMA’S EMPORIUM (Formerly Golden Lane) 11 N. Water Street. Antiques, Americana, Art, Asian, Primitives, etc. Closed Mon., Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5 or by appt. ZelmasAntiques.com

17361 Shrewsbury717-235-6637

SHREWSBURY ANTIQUE CENTER 65 N. Highland Dr. “A True Antique Mall” Over 10,000 sq.ft. with over 60 dealers. Open 7 days, 10-5. Ample parking. Close to other shops in historic village.

18944 Perkasie215-257-3564

TREASURE TROVE, 6 S. 7th Street.

Estate jewelry, furniture, linens, vintage clothing, glass, china, books, toys, kitchenware, advertising, postcards. Primitives to Deco. Dealers Welcome. Mon.-Sat. 10-5. In business 42 years.

18962 Silverdale215-453-1414

THE FACTORY ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES, 130 West Main Street, Rt 113, Bucks County. Featuring 45 Dealers. Open Wednesday thru Saturday 10 -5, Sundays 11-4

19543 Morgantown610-913-1953

MORGANTOWN MARKET, 2940 Main St.. Hours 10-5 daily. Berks Co. Largest Antique Boutique. Antiques,Collectibles, Vintage Home & Garden Decor. Now we have miniatures & dollhouses!

08/26/23, FREDERICK, SAT. AT 9AM, Lifelong Collec.- 100's premier Hummels & German beer steins. Nascar collec. of Danny Guiffre of Germantown, MD. Lg. vtg. movie camera collec. Lg. oriental vases, Goebels monk figurines, vtg. radios, sleds, bicycles, audio equip., posters/adv., die-cast cars, collec. plates, & much more!, Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St., Bldg. 12, Howard B. Parzow Auctioneer

08/27/23, SWEDESBORO, SUN.

ATNOON, Fine Furniture & Qty.

Furnishings. Like new Hancock & Moore leather sofa, like new Henkel Harris 9-pc. dining rm. set, Baker Q. 4-poster bed, Maitland Smith leather top Carlton desk, Sligh Furn. Ellis Collec. file cab., & much more!, Online Only: www.SouthJerseyAuction.com, South Jersey Auction

08/17-28/23, EPHRATA, ENDING MON. AT3PM, Pre1900 cameras, daguerreotypes, photographic images, antqs., Stanhope viewers, Magic Lanterns & more!, Online Only: Gehmanauctions.hibid.com, Gehman Auctions

08/17-29/23, WASHINGTON

BORO, PA& LAMPETER, PA, 2

AUCTIONS ENDING THURS.

8/24 & TUES. 8/29, Ned Foltz pottery, jewelry, coins, state qtrs., Byers' Choice, Longaberger, glass ornaments, rare Beanie Baby, bird carvings, collector dolls, Pfaltzgraff, crocks, Elvis memor., cast iron kettle, Q. poster BR suite, DR tables/ chairs, oak washstand, etc., Online Only: www.millersiegrist.com, Miller

08/23/23, KULPSVILLE, WED.

AT10AM, Majolica Auction, incl.

180+ lots fine: Minton, George Jones, T.C. Brown Westhead Moore & Co., Wedgwood, Hugo Lonitz, Copeland, Etruscan, Palissy Ware & much more!, Live & Online: Holiday Inn Ballroom, 1750 Sumneytown Pk.; strawserauctions.com, Strawser Auction Group

08/24/23, KINZERS, THURS. AT 10AM, Fine Militaria & Edged Weapons. Civil War, Indian Wars, WWI, WWII, Coast Guard & other qty. pcs. militaria & edged weapons., Live & Online: 5336 Mine Rd.; embassyauctionsinternational.com; invaluable.com, Embassy Auctions International

08/25/23, MANHEIM, FRI. AT 5PM, Summer Firearms Auctions. Mod. guns & lg. assort. antqs. incl. KYrifles, contact muskets, common rifles, custom long range rifles, .50 cal. long-range, mod./antq. handguns., Live & Online: 768 Graystone Rd.; hessauctiongroup.com, Hess Auction Group

08/26/23, CONESTOGA, SAT.

AT9 AM, Real Est.: 2 sty./2 Bed brick home on country lot. Coins, blue mason jars, antq. bottles, grn. depr. & Princess Hse. glass, butter churn, oil lamps, RR lantern, jewelry, crocks/ pottery/ jugs, old tins, dishware set, brass teapots, clocks, skeleton keys, trunk, Lane cedar chest, cider press, corn sheller, wdn. wall telephone, antq. paper cutter, furn./hh,, 2941 Main St., Leaman Auctions

08/26/23, LANCASTER, SAT. AT

10AM, Eclectic Excitement Public

Auction incl. vtg. adv. orig. lithographs, 2018 Harley Davidson Heritage motorcycle, antq. & mod. firearms, swords, knives, Boy Scout/ Cub Scout items, rare WWI & WWII US Military items, coins, & guitars., 3601 Columbia Ave., Boltz Auction Co.

08/28/23, DILLSBURG, MON.

AT6PM, Furn., lights, decor, pedal tractor w/cart, retro salon items/ hair dryers, oil cans, antq. ephemera, hit & miss engines, collec., vehicles, 2004 Stratos boat & trailer, & more!, 185 Logan Rd., Rte. 15, Hardy's Auction Service

08/29/23, MYERSTOWN, TUES.

AT1PM, Single-Owner Holiday Collec. incl. 30 papier-mache German Santa Claus candy containers, early cast Santa bank, carved wdn. folk Santa, Bisque Christmas reindeer, ornaments, celluloid toys, early Christmas llights, vtg. Halloween, tambourines, rare German pumpkin noisemaker, die cuts, papier-mache candy containers & much more!, Online Only: www.kleinfelters.hibid.com, Kleinfelter's Auction

08/29/23, NEWHOLLAND, BEGINS CLOSING TUES. AT 7PM, 1700's post-Colonial copper, 1950's-1970's US Mint & Proof Sets, 'AU' Lincoln cents & Jefferson nickels, sev. lots 1900's wheat cents, 1800's Indian head cents, The Silver Story Treasure Album, Morgan & Peace silver dollars, silver granules, silver cert. & more!, Online Only: www.pmorganauctions.com, Patrick Morgan Auction Services

09/02-04/23, QUARRYVILLE, SAT. & MON., DOORS OPEN AT7:30AM, Amish-made food, quilts, fine art, tools, furniture, used cars, sports memorabilia & more!

Proceeds benefit Hospice & Community Care., Solanco Fairgrounds, 101 Park Ave., Hospice & Community Care; Rodgers & Assoc. Wealth Advisers

09/02/23, DORNSIFE, SAT. AT 8AM, New Holland C-227 track loader, trailers, roofer buggy, 2016 Chevy truck, construc. tools/ equip., Sky Jack lift, Telehandler, tractor, collec. & dishware, old Nativity set, "The Texas Co." train caboose, old book ends, 2 cases jewelry, 2 world globes, nice tinware, 12 wdn. crates, furn., 3 nice BR sets, antqs., kero. lamps, cast iron coal stove, etc., 673 Super Dr., Timberline Auction Services, LLC

09/02/23, ORWIGSBURG, SAT.

AT10AM, Firearms, currency, 1922 $20 gold cert., 1907 $5 US note, 1928B $20 gold note, 1923 #1 lg. silver cert., coins, 1881 $10 gold eagle, silver eagles, 1935 D.Boone commem. half, jewelry, toys, 1982 Indiana Jones figures MOC, huge Star Wars collec., vid. games, Game Boys, trains, antq./vtg. items, Edison tube player, mus. instru. & much more!, 1506 Centre Turnpike, Blum's / Auction Time Bid Board

09/07/23, HARRISBURG, THURS. AT10AM, Fine & Decorative Arts Auction feat. lg. collec. 19th cen. Qing Dynasty jade. Silver, jewelry, collec., clocks, lighting, fine/dec./Asian arts, furniture, & rugs., Online Only: www.CordierAuction.com, Cordier Auctions & Appraisals

4sided heart cradle, 1807 flax comb & winder, brass bed warmers, redware/ stoneware crocks, set 4 wdn. bowls, old adv. oil cans, +much more!, Leesport Fire Co. Social Hall, 11 S. Canal St., Kenneth Leiby Auctioneer

08/26/23, HARTFORD, SAT.

10AM-5PM, 84th PAPERMANIA PLUS: Antq. Paper Show + Advertising & Photography, 1 Civic Center Plaza, XLCenter: exit off I-84; exit 32-B off I-91

CONNECTICUT GEORGIA

09/07-10/23, ATLANTA, THURS.-SUN., Antique Market, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE, Atlanta Expo Center, North Bldg.

10/12-15/23, ATLANTA, THURS.-SUN., Antique Market, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE, Atlanta Expo Center, North Bldg.

09/22-23/23, LEBANON, FRI. 95 EARLYBUYERS ($100 FEE) & SAT. 9-3 ($10 ADM.), Indy Antique Advertising Show, 1955 Indianapolis Ave., Boone County 4H Fairgrounds

MASSACHUSETTS

09/05-10/23, BRIMFIELD, TUES.-SUN., 6AM-AROUND 3PM, Brimfield Antique & Collectibles Show & Flea Market, Hertan's Field (GPS: 35 Palmer Rd.), Brimfield, MA

09/23/23, BROOKFIELD, SAT.

10AM-3PM, Antiques & Primitive Goods Show, 19 Martin Rd., Walker Homestead

09/17/23, BARNEGATLIGHT, SUN. 9AM-5PM, RAIN OR SHINE, Antique & Collectible Show, 19th & Bayview Ave., Historic Viking Village

09/24/23, HAMMONTON, SUN. 9AM-3PM, Fall Antiques & Bottle Show, 31 Batsto Rd., Historic Batsto Village - Wharton State Forrest

09/02-03/23, STORMVILLE, SAT. & SUN., 8AM-4PM, Antique Show & Flea Market, 428 Rte. 216, Stormville Airport, NY

PENNSYLVANIA

04/08/23 TO 12/31/23, BERWYN, EVERYSAT. & SUN, 9-4, Indoor/Outdoor Vintage Flea Market - Now Open Year Round!, 270 W. Swedesford Rd, Berwyn, PA

06/25/23 TO 10/01/23, DENVER, EVERYSUNDAY: 7:30-4; SPEC. SUNDAY, 10/1: OUTDOORS

5AM, INDOORS 7:30-4, Antique & Collectors Special Sundays, 2500 N. Reading Rd., Renningers Adamstown

08/26-27/23, REINHOLDS, SAT. & SUN. 7AM-4 PM, Shupp's Grove Paper Show: Ephem., Postcards, Books, Diaries, Journals, Comi, 607 Willow St., ReinholdsLancaster County

08/26/23, GETTYSBURG, OUTDOOR MKT.: SAT. 8-2

(STORE/WRHSE. SALE: 9-5), Outdoor Antique Market, 2885 York Rd., Gettysburg, PA

09/02-03/23, REINHOLDS, SAT. & SUN., 7AM-4PM, Music & Lighting: Records, Instru., Mus.Boxes, CD's, Sheet Mus., Lamps, Can, 607 Willow St., Reinholds - Lancaster County

09/04/23, LANDISVILLE, MON.

7AM-2PM, Hempfield Community Flea Market, 1700 Nissley Rd., Amos Herr Park

09/09-10/23, REINHOLDS, SAT. & SUN., 7AM-4PM, Mid-Century

Modern: Furnishings, Apparel & Pop Culture (+Walk Your Dog Bene, 607 Willow St., ReinholdsLancaster County

09/09/23, LANCASTER, SAT.

9AM-3PM, Fall Coin Show, 1383 Arcadia Rd., Lancaster Farm & Home Center

09/16-17/23, ORWIGSBURG, SAT. & SUN., 9AM-8PM, Ribbon Cutting & Open Hse. incl. entertainment + concessions, 214 E. Independence St., Orwigsburg, PA

09/22-23/23, YORK, FRI. 10-6 & SAT. 10-5, York, PAAntiques Show & Sale, 334 Carlisle Ave., York Fairgrounds Conv. & Expo Ctr., Memorial Hall East

09/23/23, GETTYSBURG, OUTDOOR MKT.: SAT. 8-2 (STORE/WRHSE. SALE: 9-5), Outdoor Antique Market, 2885 York Rd., Gettysburg, PA

09/27/23 TO 10/01/23, ADAMSTOWN, PA, WED.SUN., September Antique All Week Extravaganza, Along 7 Miles of Route 272, Adamstown, PAAntiques Capital U.S.A.

09/29-30/23, KUTZTOWN, FRI. 9-11 (ADM. $10)/11-4 (FREE) & SAT. 9-4 (FREE), Antique & Collectors Extravaganza, 740 Noble St., Renningers Kutztown

VIRGINIA

09/23-24/23, CHANTILLY, SAT. 9-6 & SUN. 11-5; $10 ADM., DC BIG FLEAAntiques Market, 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Dulles Expo Center

10/13-14/23, FISHERSVILLE, FRI. 9-5 & SAT. 9-4, 71st Antiques Expo, 277 Expo Rd., Augusta Expo Center

Collector

Continued from page 3 happen to have an item valued in the thousands of dollars. Still, most third-party grading companies have their fair share of critics. Personally, I consider third party grading a necessary evil in the trade and almost a necessity in a world where even common items can command four to five figures at auction. There is something to be said about taking an item and encasing it in tamper-evident plastic while turning it into nothing more than a commodity to be bought and sold. I personally know of no one that buys a graded comic book and cracks open the plastic enclosure just so they can read it, just like I know of no one who opens a graded vintage “Star Wars” figure to play with the toy.

That said, the push to grade and encapsulate everything hit a fever pitch in the collectibles trade during the pandemic when prices for most collectibles started to soar to historic levels. Auction companies, grading companies, and even Wall Street private equity firms realized that the collectibles market was a bonafide way to make easy money, and a lot of these firms figured out early on that it is better to sell shovels to would-be gold prospectors than to be prospectors themselves. This is why billion dollar companies now control a lot of highprofile auction companies and professional grading companies at present time.

Today, there are already plans to grade vinyl records, but also compact discs and cassette tapes as well. Will laser discs be far behind? Will anyone care about graded laser disc movies is a much better question. This begs the question as to whether or not vinyl record grading can achieve mass-market penetration like video games and toys. The answer is yes simply because the market for vintage vinyl records is already organic and has been around for decades. Unlike other forms of physical media that are new to the collectibles scene like VHS movies, cassette tapes, and compact discs, hardcore record collectors have been paying a premium for vintage vinyl for decades, and the market cap for vintage vinyl is much higher than the other forms of physical media I just mentioned. The only question left to answer is will collectors care and can the auction companies and grading companies convince these collectors to care enough? If so, then this could very well be a large untapped market that catches fire, and this could then become the next big thing. Only time will tell, as it always does in the antiques and collectibles trade. Until that time, however, it may be worth holding onto that original first pressing of The Beatles’ 1966 release of “Yesterday and Today” complete with its original controversial album cover if you are lucky enough to own one!

Shawn Surmick has been an avid collector since the age of 12. He currently resides in his hometown of Boyertown, Pa., and is a passionate collector of antiques and collectibles. His articles focus on various topics affecting the marketplace.

On L I N E A U C Tions

Jewelry, Coins, State Qtrs, Byers’ Choice, Longaberger, Glass Ornaments, Rare Beanie Baby Bird Carvings, Collector Dolls, Pfaltzgraff, Crocks, Elvis Memorabilia, Cast Iron Kettle, Queen Poster BR Suite, DR Tables & Chairs, Marble Top Table & Chest of Drawers, Curio & China Cabinets, Oak Washstand & Changing Table, Elec. Fireplace

Ends Aug. 24 in Washington Boro & Ends Aug. 29 in Lampeter, PA R099155

HAAR’S AUCTION SCHEDULE

Located at 185 Logan Rd. (Rt. 15), Dillsburg, PA 17019

MONDAY, AUGUST 28 • 6:00 P.M.

FURNITURE - HIT & MISS ENGINESCOLLECTIBLES - VEHICLES - BOAT - ETC.

Restaurant & AUCTION DOORS open @ 5:00 p.m. Sale starts at approximately 6:00 p.m. with 2 auctioneers on porches, weather permitted (1 tools/box lots, 1 FURNITURE); Stage auction begins @ 6:30 p.m. Real nice furniture to include: Sofas; Mid-Century bedroom suite and modern bedroom suite (nice); freezers; drop lid desks; table w/chairs; dining room suites; pictures; lights; décor; jewelry armoire; curio; coffee & end tables; upholstered chairs; nice collectibles; tools; primitives; box lots; Pedal tractor w/cart; push scooter; retro salon hair dryers along with retro salon items; HIT & MISS ENGINES (New Holland ½ HP on truck, & 1½ HP on truck); International Harvestor on truck; Fairbanks Morse 1½ HP; Maytag Kick pedal engines; Model 72-d Twin cylinder (2); Exhaust piping & mufflers for Maytag; “Clipper belt lacer” tools & others; Cast iron truck wheels & axles; Misc: oilers, grease guns, magnetos, engine cranks, oil cans; Antique Literature; VEHICLES approx. 7:00 p.m.: 2004 Ford 250 Super Duty 4x4 w/89k miles; 2006 Subaru LL Bean Edition AWD over 200k miles; 2004 Stratos

Boat & trailer w/good