Collecting physical Library Music LPs? Who else collects the vinyl?

[Retronic]

On Facebook and Instagram there is more sharing of people's physical copies of records and I'm wondering how many people here buy records as well.
I'd love to know what people collect, seek, holy grail wants etc, but only regarding the physical copies, not files.

[likedeeler]

Well, I collect records, although I do not care whether they're library recs. That may not fully count, but the point of records is the music, mostly, isn't it?

My holy grail is "Elemental Music" by Z'ev. It's the perfect piece of music, and if I had to choose among all the records in the world, this would be the one.

But I already own it. Ahem.

Regarding library records, I'm currently most interested in these two:

-- "Aurore" by Frydman & Cannone,
-- "Sfere Luminose" by Orlandi & Tonani (recently re-issued, so not a big deal actually).



A lot of the people "collecting records" today are ridiculous. Posers, strutting around on Facefuck and Insta with their Discogs purchases, looking for a profit of distinction. They've never been in a record shop. And Discogs needs to die.

What do I collect? I like good music, and I don't like bad music. So I collect the good music and pass on the bad. And I like a beautiful cover.

I'm not even sure if "collecting" is the right word.

I buy records, and then I don't throw them away. Just as I buy books. I've got many of them, and I wouldn't call myself a "book collector". If you now and then buy exemplars of a certain type X of object and don't get rid of them later, you're "collecting X", I guess.

Bargain bins are great! And fleamarkets. At least they used to be fun until Discogs -- which needs to die -- came along.

I realise that this hasn't a lot to do with library records. Confining myself to acquiring library records would be strange. But I'm very happy to be able to get to know so much great stuff through your forum. I imagine I'd enjoy going to a (library) record fair, which I've not done yet.

[Eternas Ondas Musicales]

This pic was taken on March 26, 2025. My collection has been growing, that's just some of what I have.

They've never been to a record shop. And Discogs needs to die.

What do I collect? I like good music, and I don't like bad music. So I collect the good music and pass on the bad.

Bargain bins are great! And fleamarkets. At least they used to be fun until Discogs -- which needs to die -- came along.

I didn't get to live through the heyday, but my father did; he'll be 52 soon. Here in my city, there used to be a store called "Oki Discos". From there, he gradually built up his collection of vinyl records, cassettes, and CDs.

But unfortunately, with the MP3 shit and new technologies, everything went down the drain. Luckily, I've gotten to experience what it's like to buy vinyl in a physical store. A rewarding experience. There are stores in Alicante, Salamanca, and Seville with very good material. I've also been to Murcia several times. I'd like to go to Barcelona one day; they sell british and french library records there.

But I can't miss the opportunity to visit a physical store in Italy, or better yet... Germany. Maybe I'll find a huge piece of gold there. 

As for Discogs, it's unfortunately the only boring place I have to buy the records I collect or I like. If I could, I'd go to stores or flea markets. I mostly use it to fix releases and databases poorly edited by other users. And sometimes it entertains me because I can add new editions that haven't been published yet.

[likedeeler]

Haha! I didn't mean to give anyone a bad conscience. Of course I use Discogs from time to time. The problem that this parasitic site constitutes needs to be dealt with on a societal and statutory level.

... I'd like to go to Barcelona one day; they sell british and french library records there. ...

Interesting. I need to check that out when I'm in Barcelona again. I haven't seen library records in a shop so far.

The physical aspect of records is important. We are bodies interacting with and in a physical world. Screens are sucking the life out of people. I'm not sure if online contacts are really the solution, even if the conversation revolves around physical objects such as records. Still better than having only digital files to talk about.

[Eternas Ondas Musicales]

Haha! I didn't mean to give anyone a bad conscience.

Don't worry about that. Everyone has the right to their opinion.

I need to check that out when I'm in Barcelona again. I haven't seen library records in a shop so far.

I've never been to Barcelona, ​​but I was looking at specialty stores in the library music using Google Maps, and I saw one store that caught my eye. Discos Paradiso: Carrer de Ferlandina, 39, Ciutat Vella, 08001, Barcelona, Spain
There was also another store in Valencia, which focused solely on rare, hard-to-find records from the library, especially Italian ones. It was a bit close to my home, but unfortunately, the store lasted almost only two years. For some strange reason, the owner decided to permanently close the record store. I published a post about that store a while back...

The physical aspect of records is important. We are bodies interacting with and in a physical world. Screens are sucking the life out of people.

Regarding what you mentioned, I assume that screens have deteriorated our way of socializing, living, and, above all, seeing the world. From time to time, I think to myself: "The world is losing its color, everything is looking more grayer than never." But in bad times, music helps me give those boosts of encouragement when I need it most and helps me cope with the most difficult situations as best I can. 

I'm not sure if online contacts are really the solution, even if the conversation revolves around physical objects such as records.

When I buy records on Discogs, I always feel unsure that the seller behind it is a scammer or that the order might be broken during customs.

I'll tell you a little anecdote about the Corrado Tringali record. I ordered it on March 9th, 2024. It arrived a month later! I don't know the reasons, but it arrived on April 11th, 2024. I thought the record would never reach my home. I spent 112 euros, including shipping costs. For two weeks, I thought the purchase hadn't been worth it. 

[Retronic]

I think I saw some library stuff in Barcelona but it was a few years back and they weren't cheap - UK yellow LPC Chappells I seem to remember. Don't think I saw anything in Seville, but again it was a few years ago now.   In the UK you do get shops with a library section but not picked anything good up for a few years now.  I use Discogs but regularly get stung with incredible charges for customs when buying from abroad and hardly anything I want comes up in the UK much. 
I guess some of this stuff will have been pressed in low numbers of say 200.  A good chunk of these will have been binned over the years.  I don't doubt there are huge hauls out there in cellars, attics, offices, churches, etc likely since the late 80's when CDs took over.
It's great if you can come across a haul like this and I have a few times but not lately.  I love the hunt though but reality is when something I want comes along now it ain't cheap!

[kebarvid]

I'v been collection records for 25+ years, through 98-17 i guess about 90% of what i bought was hiphop, but the last ten years it's probably 50% hip-hop. Discovered library music maybe 5-6 years ago and was buying quite alot for some years, specially specific labels/artist, here is some of it:

Complete collection of Edition Montparnasse 2000 originals (except for Pop in... Devil's train where my reissue will have to do till i find a "reasonably priced" original), plus som Saint German Des Pres:


Complete collection of Selected Sound ST-series:


Collection of Selected Sound 9000-series (missing 8, and 3 are reissues):


Some Crea/Neuilly/Mondiphone and around 70 Tele Music records:


You can click the images to see them bigger and you can view my collection on discogs

Not sure i have any holy grails right now, been fortunate to find some i was looking for in recent years. Of course i would like to track down an original MP107, but there are a few on discogs right now but i feel like holy grails should be something hard to find, not just expensive.

[Retronic]

Wow.  Love that stack of MP 2000’s! Great stash for just a few years collecting.