How to Get Elvis Records

As a fan of the life and career of Elvis, there can be no greater joy than listening to his hit records on vinyl. Even if you are more interested in collecting Elvis's hit records as memorabilia and prizing them for their album cover designs, getting your hands on many of his greatest hits can be tricky. Arm yourself with a little knowledge about the King's career and some basic vintage record-buying facts before you starting shopping for his records.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Start Your Elvis Record Collection

1. Get to know Elvis's gold records, such as "King Creole" or "Elvis is Back!" These records were among the King's best-selling releases and may cost a little more than his lesser-known singles or albums.
2. Expect to pay the most for one of Elvis's platinum records, such as "G.I. Blues," especially if it is an original release. Elvis's best-selling albums, like "G.I. Blues" and "Elvis's Christmas Album" from 1970, may have been subject to multiple releases due to their popularity.
3. Check the copyright date before paying too much for a later pressing of the same record.

Shop for Elvis Records

4. Educate yourself about the going rate for Elvis records before you start buying them. Reading a collector's book and subscribing to an Elvis fan club are ways you can learn about the typical prices for Elvis records.
5. Look for ways to meet other collectors of Elvis memorabilia, including those who specialize in records. By building up a network of contacts who are also fans of the King, you can get access to information about upcoming auctions or sales by individuals who are liquidating their collections.
6. Read your local paper's estate sale notices to find sales in your neighborhood that might feature large record collections. You may even be able to call ahead to find out what, if any, Elvis records are for sale.
7. Shop your area second-hand shops and resale record stores to find Elvis records. You may not find the best deals in these venues, as the sellers are generally well informed about what they have, but you may be to find the best selection of records by the King.
8. Get Elvis records online through auction websites or through online Elvis shops. This gives you access to sellers around the world who may offer reduced pricing for limited-edition collectible Elvis records.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice caution when buying Elvis memorabilia and records over the Internet. You can protect your purchase by only dealing with reputable sellers who offer guarantees of authenticity on the items they sell.