The Smiths' Top 1000 Collectables

BILLY ALBERT celebrates the magnificent Mancs’ legacy

It has been over 12 years since The Smiths’ Top 100 rarities list was first published in RC 159. Since then there have been some seismic shifts in value of the band’s rarities. At that time – 1992 – it had only been five years since The Smiths had split, and Warners had yet to embark upon their reissue programme.

As time has passed, it has been recognised that The Smiths were one of the most important and influential UK bands of the 80s – and many successful 90s and current bands have cited them as a major influence, thus stimulating the interests of newer young fans. More importantly, many original fans now in their 30s and 40s have more spending power, benefiting from the use of eBay and other internet sites. These factors have contributed to the continuing rise in value for many of the items here.

The most striking changes that have occurred since this list was last published is with respect to the ‘holy grails’, which have shot through the roof in value. The most collectable item in 1992 was the Reel Around The Fountain 7” test pressing, valued at a modest £120. Collectors will have to fork out quite a lot more to buy one of the 25 or so copies in existence, which only on rare occasions appear on the market. This is not the most …

by Billy Albert
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