World's largest record collection

[Roots_Rocker_Matt]

http://www.thevine.com.au/tv/music/the-archive.aspx

A short, interesting bio on Paul Mawhinney, who has a very extensive collection of vinyl to say the least.

From the video: "The library of congress did a study on the music in my collection, and from '48 to '66, they decided that only 17% of that music is available to the public on CD"

Also like his passion when speaking on the sound quality between vinyl and cd; reminds me of some of the threads 'round here!

Would be amazing to spend a few days in his museum, hopefully he has some reggae in there! (tu)

[bullit]

Pretty amazing video, seems so sad in a way he asks so little for everything hes done in his life, i hope the right person comes along to carry it on

[Roots Rocker Matt]

Yeah, from hearing him speak, you know he genuinely loves and listens to his collection.

I'm surprised some museum/government/preservation society hasn't bought it. Lots of history there man.

[Jonti]

Anyone have an idea how long well-preserved vinyl can last before deteriorating? 100 years from now, will vinyl pressed in, say, the 1950s still be playable?

[=Nilo82=]

Well i don't know what the man collected he's got 1 million albums and from the video it seems like it's lots of US-stuff.
A country which pretty much invented pop-culture should be aware that this guy spent his entire life to preserve a big part of it's cultural heritage. It should be bought by some national museum. But than it's the ironic thing bout pop-culture, that it's gonna take some time until someone is gonna realize just that (if at all). Very sad!

[leggo rocker]

Can anyone lend me three million dollars?

[ras_gaks]

Can anyone lend me three million dollars?

link up leggo..

[leggo rocker]

If I had the money, I can easily see myself amassing a record collection like that over the years. But I don't, so it isn't likely to happen.

I'd love to run a record store, but as this video makes clear, no body wants record stores any more

[ACEtone]

Someone asked if the US Government would buy this collection. As far as I know, despite the reality, the Library of Congress is all about donations and they don't actually buy stuff. Theoretically every book and record should already be in there but the theory discounts what happens in real life.
The Library of congress is certainly a huge repository of ISBN numbers - I know that for sure but I also know that it is not mandatory to register a book with the Library - same goes for records I expect.

One thing is for sure, the US values its most important cultural artifacts very little and it is really all about the $$$.
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Now to watch that video...

And full disclosure - my vinyl collection is pitifully puny. I'm preparing for a big smack down as I set about watching this portrayal of a behemoth collection.

and another thing - I've read on a couple of occasions recently that vinyl is very stable and should be around for quite some time, though i have no links, data or back up for that.

[leggo rocker]

Regarding the life of vinyl. I have been informed by a scientist friend that there are bugs that eat the stuff. He reckons that within 100 years the important parts of the grooves will be eaten flat, so there will be little or no sound left.

I have no idea if this is true. But it scared me. This guy is a vinyl lover himself so he's not just making pro-mp3 or CD claims - and he's usually very well clued up on stuff like this.