When I am listing records on Discogs and Ebay, I sometimes put the term "from a private collection", and it has occurred to me that this might appear a strange phrase to use, I mean, aren't all records from a private collection? - Unless you are buying from a shop.
The term may mean slightly different things to different people, but in my opinion it has very specific meaning.
In the 20 years I have been running Vinylshrine, I have viewed a vast number of records, and the majority are presented to me in an assortment of boxes, or piled high on a kitchen table, or even laying on the floor in a freezing garage - these are rarely "private collections".
They have been found in the loft after a house move, they have been reluctantly acquired after a marriage break-up, and most common, they were owned by a recently passed family member. These job lots will have 7" singles without sleeves, tatty album covers, names and addresses written on LP covers or on labels, records in the wrong sleeves, and condition-wise, and I am being charitable here, would be variable.
A "private collection" on the other hand, will be presented to me still on specially built shelves, in alphabetical order, in poly sleeves. Such a collection will reflect the tastes of the owner, not be a random collection of pop hits, K-Tel compilations, and Readers Digest box sets.
A carefully curated private collection will also be (generally) in superb condition, invariably played on at least a decent record deck, and consequently much more desirable to my potential buyers.
So, when I use the term in my description, I hope it is a useful shorthand way of telling buyers that they are getting a decent record that has been looked after, dare I say loved, by a fellow music fan.
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