Five Italian albums that can be worth more than a thousand euros

Record fairs, flea markets, cellars and attics to be emptied: there are many occasions in which you might find yourself in your hands with a 33 rpm record on vinyl which can be worth at least a thousand euros, or even more – as long as you find someone willing to pay that amount.

Below are some examples of 33 rpm records highly sought after by collectors. The prices are indicative and may vary significantly depending on the condition of the object described.

Le Orme, “Ad Gloriam”

We are referring here to the first pressing, from 1969 (first pressing, 1969), on the Car Juke-Box label (CRJ LP 00015). The first print run, with a cover designed by Luciano Tallarini and Giancarlo Boschin and photographs by Rino Petrosino, included an inner envelope, and it is an example with these characteristics which, if in perfect condition, is offered at a price of around 3000 euros.

Mina: “Mina” (sometimes referred to as “Moontan”)

In itself the album, even in the first edition of March 1960 – catalog number LPMH 181) on the Italdisc label (it was later reissued by Raro! Records) has no particular value, it can also be found for a few dozen euros; but if the record is autographed (and it is possible to demonstrate that the autograph is original…) and in excellent condition, it can be valued at up to almost 3000 euros.

Franco Battiato, “Fetus”

The first pressing (Bla Bla, BBXL 10001), from January 1972, has a gatefold album cover. If in excellent condition it can be worth just under a thousand euros, but there have been rumors of a promotional edition for the blue vinyl print which would have been sold for 2500 euros. A collector clarified in January 2025: “The disc is not blue but is translucent, so only under sunlight or in front of a light source does it take on a blue color, so without light it appears black.
It is the very first print used for journalists and included the AL.SA press release + photo of the session by Emilio Simion”.

Area, “Arbeit macht frei”

Published in 1973 by Cramps (CRSLP 5101), in the first edition, with inner sleeve, it included a cardboard cutout of a gun (in the article photo). If in excellent condition and complete with gun, a copy can be valued at up to 2500 euros.

Pooh, “Contrast”

Published by Vedette in 1968 (VRSM 358) to capitalize on the success of the 45 rpm single “Piccola Katy”, it was released without the consent of the group, who requested (and perhaps obtained) its withdrawal from the market. Vedette herself then reissued the album several times with the same catalog number; To verify that the 33rpm belongs to the first original pressing, you need to check whether the dates “5-7-68” are on side A and “5-7-67” on side B in the unengraved space of the vinyl, the one surrounding the label. If it is an original first printing, depending on the condition it can be worth from 1,000 to 1,800 euros.