Vogue Picture Records are collected mainly for the picture and the small number of records to be collected, explains the University of California at Santa Barbara. Vogue Picture Records were produced with a printed piece of colorful artwork trapped inside the vinyl, making them popular when compared with the black vinyl of the majority of vinyl records. As there are only 74 known recordings, collectors have an opportunity to collect every record to complete a collection.
History
Vogue Picture Records were produced in post-World War II America in Detroit, Michigan, and according to the University of California at Santa Barbara, they reflected the optimistic mood of the nation following the dark outlook of the war years. The Association of Vogue Picture Record Collectors reports the records were produced by Sav-Way Industries for a short period of time, with the first record released in May 1946. Sales of Sav-Way products boomed for a short period, but the inability of Sav-Way to attract known bands and performers saw the boom end quickly with production of Vogue Picture Records ending in April 1947. The company entered receivership in August of the same year.
Types
The prices of records on the modern market can vary greatly due to condition and rarity of the record and are usually split into eight types, according to The Association of Vogue Picture Record Collectors. The most common records found easily by collectors carry serial numbers such as R707 and R733 with an average price of between $33 and $40. Vogue picture records that are popular but not common carry serial numbers such as R712 and R750 and are valued between $100 and $150. The Association of Vogue Picture Record Collectors reports some records printed using two serial numbers such as R711 and R713 being valued at between $100 and $150. Some Vogue picture records are rare with values of over $2,000 such as those carrying the serial numbers R713 and R715 while the record numbered R784 carries a resale value around $5,000 or more.
Condition
There are no known records detailing the production and distribution of Sav-Way Industries recordings, The Association of Vogue Picture Record Collectors reports. Serial numbers of vogue picture records run from R707 to R786, but not all the serial numbers between are accounted for. In fact only 74 records were produced by Sav-Way, making the entire collection particularly rare. Test pressings never intended to be released to the public usually bring the highest prices at auction due to the limited number of copies. The condition of the records also plays an important factor in value. The Association of Vogue Picture Record Collectors reports that very few collectors play their records, meaning the condition of the image is more important than the ability to play the record. Discoloration of the vinyl to a milky white or yellow has a great effect on the record value as does warping of the record above an eighth of an inch.