Used classical vinyl is quite readily available in major cities such as New York or London at quite reasonable prices. The bigger the city usually the greater the quantity of used vinyl to be found.

There are numerous individuals/stores on the web who sell used classical records. The prices for mail-order are usually higher.

Regarding the records you found for sale. Before purchasing make sure that absolutely no one has been through the collection and cherry-picked the best. If someone has, the only items left will be virtually worthless. If you are the first, have a quick look through for classical labels such as Decca or EMI and look at the label on the lp to see if they were made in the UK (plus Mercury or RCA pressed in the USA). Look at the condition carefully. If the records are marked or scratched or have none of the above labels or they were pressed in other countries, I suggest you pass on purchase, unless you are eager to try anything and the price is right (about 25 cents US per disc if the collection is large - that's all they are worth). If they include a considerable number of the above labels in good condition, you have found the motherlode. Then buy the whole lot from the person to take them off their hands.

By the way original pressings of Decca, EMI, RCA and Mercury sell for hundreds of dollars EACH in many cases. Often more.

Hope this helps.

Paul

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Incidently I have not got a TT yet however I have already started to buy these records in the meantime.

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Ian
that's what I've done too.
I hadn't got a turntable (well I had one 15 years ago but I better shut up about that), but I noticed that you could buy a lot of vinyl for cheap.
It all started when my dealer traded a s/h tape recorder for a vinyl collection. He told me about that and I purchased some of the records I liked (BTW most were recorded in the 70's). To my surprise, they were all in pristine conditions, just as if they had never been played.
I also realised I already owned some old vinyl that I had completely forgotten - for a total of approx 250 recordings.

I have also bought new some Strauss works that I couldn't find on CD.

Finally - guess what? - I have bought a s/h TT, and although it's a secondary source I'm enjoying it (and the >250 records) so much.

Many people are selling their vinyl collection - so why not helping them in getting rid of that black rubbish?

Stefano.

Michael