Need Help Valuing Karajan CD Collection

[Nomadski]

Hi everyone, I am in desperate need of some expert(ish) advice.

I've been going through my CD collection to sell but I've stumbled on my late father in laws classical collection and I don't think its something I want to be selling to Music Magpie for £3...

There are two that I need help understanding the value of.

The 1st is the original 1985 release of Beethoven's 9 Symponien recorded by the Berliner Philharmoniker, conducted by Karajan.

Front


Back


I've seen it in its 90's reissued state selling for between £60 and £90 new from 3 music sites, but this is the original 1985 release (UPC - 2894150662).

It is complete, with the booklet and all. The outer box has some edging fraying (as seen in the photo) but the booklet, CDs and CD protector sheet is in perfect condition.

I cant find anyone selling this release anywhere so I have no context for figuring out its value.

The second is (I think) a complete Karajan collection (Herbert Von Karajan Die Symphonien Edition, Berliner Philharmoniker, Deutsche Grammophon) numbered on the boxes 1-8.

Front


Side on


They are the original set released in 1990 (there have been a number of reissues) and contain -

1. Beethoven 9 Symphonien (UPC 028942908925)
2. Brahms 4 Symphonien (UPC 028942964426)
3. Bruckner 9 Symphonien (UPC 028942964822)
4. Haydn 12 Londoner Symphonien (UPC 028942965829)
5. Mendelssohn 5 Symphonien (UPC 028942966420)
6. Mozart Spate Symphonien (UPC 028942966826)
7. Schumann 4 Symphonien (UPC 028942967229)
8. Tschaikowsky 6 Symphonien (UPC 028942967526)

Again, all booklets, CDs and inlays are in perfect condition, with wear along the edging of the cardboard outer boxes. The integrity of the outer boxes is complete.

This one is more confusing as doing a search for each individual UPC does bring up wildly different results (the first brings up from £40 to £170 just on here , and I don't even know if I should sell this as a complete set or individually.

So there we have it, I have no idea where to sell (Ebay?) or how much is a fair price to me and to a potential buyer, and wether the second set should be sold as a collection or individually.

I would REALLY appreciate any feedback, information or advice!!

[bigshot]

All of that is still in print and has been for decades. Nothing rare. I would guess that you're talking $2 to $4 a disk. You probably would get more for them breaking them up by set because most people are likely to have some of this already. If you sell at ebay, put a rock bottom price as opening bid. If you put too high a price on to start, you're likely to have no bidders. If you can interest two people, on some of them, then they may bid against each other. But I don't think there will be too much interest because these recordings are so common.

[mahler10th]

All of that is still in print and has been for decades. Nothing rare. I would guess that you're talking $2 to $4 a disk. You probably would get more for them breaking them up by set because most people are likely to have some of this already. If you sell at ebay, put a rock bottom price as opening bid. If you put too high a price on to start, you're likely to have no bidders. If you can interest two people, on some of them, then they may bid against each other. But I don't think there will be too much interest because these recordings are so common.

Aye.  I had that top set once.
There is a glimmer of hope for you though.  Whilst you will not really attract any dyed in the wool Classicasl Music lovers with these because they already have them in one form or another, they are still presentable enough to tempt newbies or anyone who doesn't know much about Classical music.  I would put the first set on ebay for a minimum of £30 with an impressive photo of it, mentioning it is the original 1985 release.  People who are not familiar with Classical Music but may be looking for something like that (and there are people like that!) will probably pick it up...it wouldn't be unethical of you to do so...advertisers do it all the time.  If you feel any difficulty in selling these for more than their worth to people who have no idea, bear in mind that there are mp3 players actively sold to the unknowing public with Classical music on them for hundereds of pounds, even though they're not worth a snotter to most of the kinds of people who post on this forum.  Sell them mate, make them sound glorious and look good.  Someone WILL buy that top set for at least £30.
Guidelines for the same strategy, minimum prices:

1. Beethoven 9 Symphonien (UPC 028942908925)  £20  (Its in a smaller box!)
2. Brahms 4 Symphonien (UPC 028942964426)  £10
3. Bruckner 9 Symphonien (UPC 028942964822)  £25
4. Haydn 12 Londoner Symphonien (UPC 028942965829) £10
5. Mendelssohn 5 Symphonien (UPC 028942966420)  £10
6. Mozart Spate Symphonien (UPC 028942966826)  Don't know...what is 'spate'?
7. Schumann 4 Symphonien (UPC 028942967229)  £10
8. Tschaikowsky 6 Symphonien (UPC 028942967526)  £15
9.  All 8 boxes as a whole:  Minimum of £50

Thats what I'd do anyway, there may be much better suggestions...

You will sell them.  People WILL buy them.

[Nomadski]

Aye.  I had that top set once.
There is a glimmer of hope for you though.  Whilst you will not really attract any dyed in the wool Classicasl Music lovers with these because they already have them in one form or another, they are still presentable enough to tempt newbies or anyone who doesn't know much about Classical music.  I would put the first set on ebay for a minimum of £30 with an impressive photo of it, mentioning it is the original 1985 release.  People who are not familiar with Classical Music but may be looking for something like that (and there are people like that!) will probably pick it up...it wouldn't be unethical of you to do so...advertisers do it all the time.  If you feel any difficulty in selling these for more than their worth to people who have no idea, bear in mind that there are mp3 players actively sold to the unknowing public with Classical music on them for hundereds of pounds, even though they're not worth a snotter to most of the kinds of people who post on this forum.  Sell them mate, make them sound glorious and look good.  Someone WILL buy that top set for at least £30.
Guidelines for the same strategy, minimum prices:

1. Beethoven 9 Symphonien (UPC 028942908925)  £20  (Its in a smaller box!)
2. Brahms 4 Symphonien (UPC 028942964426)  £10
3. Bruckner 9 Symphonien (UPC 028942964822)  £25
4. Haydn 12 Londoner Symphonien (UPC 028942965829) £10
5. Mendelssohn 5 Symphonien (UPC 028942966420)  £10
6. Mozart Spate Symphonien (UPC 028942966826)  Don't know...what is 'spate'?
7. Schumann 4 Symphonien (UPC 028942967229)  £10
8. Tschaikowsky 6 Symphonien (UPC 028942967526)  £15
9.  All 8 boxes as a whole:  Minimum of £50

Thats what I'd do anyway, there may be much better suggestions...

You will sell them.  People WILL buy them.

Thanks for the information, having an idea of a starting point that is reasonable for all parties is great, so I really cant thank you enough for giving me some context.  I would have thought a complete boxset would have greater value than the individual parts, but I suppose your point about some being more commonly owned than others has merit.

Im guessing Mozart should be in the £20 bracket? Given how popular he is to the general public? Surprised you rated  Bruckner the highest (I'm guessing more to do with the number of CD's than the composer himself?)

As for "Spate" well that is what is on the box, Spate Symphonien (Late Symphonies).  Its a Deutsche Grammaphon release.

Not sold much on Ebay before, what is reasonable postage? Also got to figure out how to pack CD's safely and cheaply...

[mahler10th]

Im guessing Mozart should be in the £20 bracket? Given how popular he is to the general public? Surprised you rated  Bruckner the highest (I'm guessing more to do with the number of CD's than the composer himself?)
As for "Spate" well that is what is on the box, Spate Symphonien (Late Symphonies).  Its a Deutsche Grammaphon release.
Not sold much on Ebay before, what is reasonable postage? Also got to figure out how to pack CD's safely and cheaply...

Karajans Bruckner is  an exception.  Those symphonies are big and wieghty, and Karajan is one of only a few other conductors who are aknowledged to have provided us with 'reference' recordings (ie; recordings of a composer by which all others should be judged) even by todays standards.  Like I say, there are other conductors who many will argue are their reference, but in general Karajans Bruckner cycles are highly regarded.  Hence my bias quoting £25 - even I would be tempted at that.  For those less in the know, the box is substantial enough for £25.  Bear in mind this is only my opinion, and I stand to be shot down by more learned Classical lovers in this brilliant forum.  As for the Mozart late symphonies...well...why not, put them out there for £20, you will sell them for that I guess, but the box isn't hefty, and Karajan isn't really the first or even second conductor one might associate with Mozart.  Give it a go anyway Nomadski - there are many ways you could post them, the thinner ones perhaps in a sealed jiffy bag within a jiffy bag!  As for postage prices...well, you'll have to figure that out at the counter...Good luck, I hope you sell 'em all, but please remember I'm no 'expert', there may be much sounder advice available from some of our more learned members.   

[DavidW]

If you want to get the most for those cds and you're patient use amazon.  If you want to get rid of them asap use ebay (but you will make less money).

[bigshot]

You know, these boxes are all on Amazon in a new budget price packaging. I doubt you'll get those prices, because you can buy them new for about that.

[Nomadski]

You know, these boxes are all on Amazon in a new budget price packaging. I doubt you'll get those prices, because you can buy them new for about that.

Bruckner is selling new from £35.99 to £90.85 in the same collection I have, and again they are the 1990 reissues  - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-Complete-Symphonies-Anton/dp/B00000E4HD/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1326547507&sr=8-2.

Im sure there are repeated reissues of all of the pieces here in different packaging, but when I find even the 1990 reissue of my one they range (quite wildly) new and used between that sort of price range. It MUST have something to do with the particular boxset, rather than the recording itself no?  Things like the 200 page booklet you get with them etc must have some value?

Karajans Bruckner is  an exception.  Those symphonies are big and wieghty, and Karajan is one of only a few other conductors who are aknowledged to have provided us with 'reference' recordings (ie; recordings of a composer by which all others should be judged) even by todays standards.  Like I say, there are other conductors who many will argue are their reference, but in general Karajans Bruckner cycles are highly regarded.  Hence my bias quoting £25 - even I would be tempted at that.  For those less in the know, the box is substantial enough for £25.  Bear in mind this is only my opinion, and I stand to be shot down by more learned Classical lovers in this brilliant forum.  As for the Mozart late symphonies...well...why not, put them out there for £20, you will sell them for that I guess, but the box isn't hefty, and Karajan isn't really the first or even second conductor one might associate with Mozart.  Give it a go anyway Nomadski - there are many ways you could post them, the thinner ones perhaps in a sealed jiffy bag within a jiffy bag!  As for postage prices...well, you'll have to figure that out at the counter...Good luck, I hope you sell 'em all, but please remember I'm no 'expert', there may be much sounder advice available from some of our more learned members.   

Ill give it a go at your suggested prices, and see how they go. If they sell they sell, if they dont, nothing much lost.  Would rather give it a go than to simply sell it for pennies.

Thanks again for your advice John, all I really wanted was a starting point, and you gave me that and much more. Thank you.

[mahler10th]

You are very welcome.
I suggested ebay as it may have more people less in the know about Classical Recordings which I suggest is your target market.  Amazon has reviews and self apponited experts which may impact the duration and uptake of your sales, etc.  In reality I would actually keep them myself!  Good luck.

[bigshot]

Bruckner $30 USD
http://www.amazon.com/Bruckner-9-Symphonies-Box-Set/dp/B001DCQI8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326565917&sr=8-1

An older set with 80s DGG digital mastering should go for $15 to $20, regardless of booklet.

[Nomadski]

Bruckner $30 USD
http://www.amazon.com/Bruckner-9-Symphonies-Box-Set/dp/B001DCQI8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326565917&sr=8-1

An older set with 80s DGG digital mastering should go for $15 to $20, regardless of booklet.

I think Ill base the second hand price on what the new price is for the same product, rather than a budget reissue, but thanks for bringing to my attention.  There must be a reason this one is going for £45 new on Amazon.co.uk (from Amazon), $178 (!) on Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00000E4HD/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new.

Ill see how it goes, if it doesn't sell it doesn't sell.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Szykneij]

There must be a reason this one is going for £45 new on Amazon.co.uk (from Amazon), $178 (!) on Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00000E4HD/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new.

"Listed at" and "going for" are two different things. I'd be curious to learn how many (if any) have actually sold at those prices. David's advice was sound:

'

If you want to get the most for those cds and you're patient use amazon.  If you want to get rid of them asap use ebay (but you will make less money).

If you're in business and don't mind waiting until a possible customer bites (months or years), you can list certain items at high prices and hope for an eventual sale.  But if you want to move the items fairly quickly, you're at the mercy of what the current market really is.

[DavidW]

If you're in business and don't mind waiting until a possible customer bites (months or years), you can list certain items at high prices and hope for an eventual sale.  But if you want to move the items fairly quickly, you're at the mercy of what the current market really is.

So very true.  Of course if you do high price + waiting, you're one of those sellers... 

[Karl Henning]

paulb, white courtesy telephone, please . . . .

[bigshot]

I think Ill base the second hand price on what the new price is for the same product, rather than a budget reissue

Feel free, but your potential bidders are going to go straight to Amazon to find out how much the exact same same music costs with up to date remastering. That's your price citation, whether you like it or not.