Collecting the 90s: Pop Music Vinyls

In today’s age of online streaming, we have access to the entire history of music at our fingertips. Although music is more accessible than ever, many people still enjoy building a physical collection. It’s no surprise that collectors are now focusing on the music of earlier decades when CDs and vinyl records reigned supreme.

Of the two, vinyl records are the most sought-after. In 2022, vinyl records outsold CDs for the first time since 1987. This trend is expected to continue as record companies release vinyl reissues of classic albums. These new releases appeal to dedicated fans, collectors, and those who believe that vinyl has a superior sound quality. Even many new albums are getting vinyl releases, often with limited editions to entice collectors.

So, with so much to choose from, where should you start? For many, the answer is simple: the 1990s. The ’90s was one of the most diverse and unforgettable decades in pop music.

Why Vinyl?

Since CDs were the medium of choice for most music in the 90s, vinyl records tended to be pressed in far lower quantities or released only in specific regions, making them rarer and more collectible.

For many music fans, vinyl is a better overall experience—the large sleeves with album artwork look superb in a collection, and additional liner notes, posters, and inserts can become collectibles themselves. On top of that, the eternal debate rages on among audiophiles as to whether vinyl offers a warmer, richer sound than compressed digital audio formats.

Additionally, vinyl is an investment—if you can get your hands on a limited edition, a first pressing, or an autographed record, you’ll likely have something that will increase in value markedly over time.

If you’re interested in getting first pressings, learn what to look out for. The matrix numbers “A1/B1” typically indicate a first pressing, but different labels can have different identifiers.

Original 90s Vinyls

Though reissues are often beautifully packaged, many collectors prefer the challenge of hunting down original pressings.

Any record bearing the autograph of an artist will rise in value. The autographs of legendary artists can be worth thousands—for example, a copy of The Velvet Rope signed by Janet Jackson sold for nearly $4000 in 2023. A copy of Ill Communication, signed by all three members of the Beastie Boys, went for a similar price in 2021, and the autograph of Britney Spears on …Baby One More Time sold for nearly $2500 in 2021.

If those sound out of your price range, you’ll be pleased to hear that those are among the most expensive autographed records sold recently, and you can find plenty of signed records for lower prices, even when the autograph is that of a highly celebrated musician. For example, a signed copy of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill can sell for just under $400.

It’s impossible to talk about 90s pop without mentioning Mariah Carey, who dominated the decade with a string of radio hits, constantly reinventing herself and her musical style while proving herself one of the most talented vocalists of all time. Mariah’s extraordinary popularity means that copies of her albums are not hard to come by, but autographed copies still hold value. Signed copies of her albums can go for hundreds of dollars. As always with autographs, collectors should check for provenance, such as a certification from a known authenticator such as Beckett, which can raise the price of a sale.

Reissues

Reissues of 1990s albums have become very popular lately, especially as many classic records hit their 25^th and 30^th anniversaries. Record companies have taken to producing limited-edition releases of some of these records, often with unique designs on the vinyl itself. Often, a popular record can see reissues every other year, creating a rich market for collectors. Being recent releases, many of these are still cheap to acquire and are sure to become valuable collectibles in the future.

TLC’s breakthrough second album, CrazySexyCool, is one such record, having turned thirty last year. The album was a smash hit known for singles like “Creep” and “Waterfalls.” A reissue with a unique pink and white swirl pattern on the vinyl was recently released for the 30th anniversary and sells for just over $50.

Spice, the Spice Girls’ debut album, is another. The album is among the best-selling of all time and is mainly known for the first track, “Wannabe,” which was omnipresent on just about every radio station throughout late 1996. For its 25^th anniversary in 2021, it received a limited-edition vinyl with a decidedly 1990s-looking zoetrope design. This issue also sells for around $50. There were also separate sleeves featuring each member of the band.

Many reissues seek to become collectible as quickly as possible by having limited runs—a 2021 reissue of Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, featuring a translucent red vinyl, had a run of just 1500 copies and has already been known to sell for over $80.

Final Thoughts

Over the last decade, vinyl has thrived and is now the choice medium for music collectors. With so many recent reissues of 90s albums and originals still being cheap enough to start collecting in bulk, the time is right to get collecting. Check out online auctions or even yard sales to see what kinds of vinyl you can find, and keep an eye out for reissues of your favorites.

Now’s the perfect time to dig out your old turntable—or buy one for the first time—and revisit some of the biggest hits of yesteryear.

Matthew Doherty is a writer, editor, and teacher specializing in all things history-related. His work has been published in the UK Defence Journal, the Small Wars Journal, and The Collector. He holds an MSc from the University of Edinburgh and a BA from the University of Leeds. In his spare time, he also writes science fiction stories.

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