Many thanks to Chris Schlarb for this tip: the owner of Pittsburgh record store Record Rama puts up a comprehensive collection of American music for $3 mil or more on eBay—according to the seller, it’s the world’s greatest music collection, though more because of its value as a survey of everything reasonably popular in America since recordings were commercially issued than as something you’d sift through for your party playlist. While I don’t think this is as magical and romantic as The Record Store That Time Forgot, it does seem like something that should be in a museum, if only because you do not want to trust someone like me to steward your cultural history. (If you do want to trust someone like me to steward your cultural history, we can talk gift certificates later.) Explains Record Rama rep:

From Thomas Edison to American Idol, this is the complete history of the music that shaped and defined five generations. 3 million records and 300,000 CDs containing more than 6 million song titles. It’s the undisputed largest collection of recorded music in the world. About half of the recordings are new and never played, and every genre of 20th century music is represented. There are countless rare recordings worth hundreds, or even thousands of dollars each on the collectibles market. Organized and cataloged, the collection is meticulously maintained and housed in a climate-controlled warehouse. The estimated value of this amazing collection is more than $50 million. Every recording in the collection was purchased by the collection’s owner over the past fifty years and represents a lifetime of work and his desire to see the music preserved for future generations. Advancing age and health concerns are forcing the owner to sell.

So far, no bids. But now that the auction has been up for a bit, the nerds feel comfy enough for a little parry/thrust:

Q: That is just amazing! I think you have Dr. Demento beat. I guess it just shows you can’t hang on to everything forever. Best of luck to you. Feb-19-08
A: Thanks.. Actually, we have everybody beat.

Q: Would you consider my girlfriend as a part exchange for you collection. Whats your thoughts? A photo can be supplied. Feb-19-08
A: Supply the photo!

Q: Hello, I have to add KUDOS for the great collection. I read that one interested party asked if his girlfriend might be part of the deal, He said photos were available. My question is did he send the photos, and can you add them to the listing? Maybe you might not want to trade the collection for her, but maybe, just maybe someone from DUBAi might think purchasing her and the collection might be a great package deal. Do you like cats? How about a possible winning lottery ticket? I think you could have gotten Ed McMahon to pitch the You might already be a winner!!! Best of luck to you in everything you do. Vic Feb-19-08
A: Thank you, Vic. We’ve talked with some people in Dubai, but the girl wasn’t part of the deal. No, he didn’t send his girl friend’s picture. Maybe she wouldn’t take her clothes off for the camera. We’d consider a SURE winning lottery ticket.

Kind of gross, you weird nerds! No idea if anyone will bid for this—everyone was so happy when that Velvet Underground acetate went for $150k or so, but turned out to be a fake bid. We’re supposed to boycott eBay anyway this week but if you gotta spend, maybe spend smaller.

Tags: CHRIS SCHLARB, eBay, kondoff's records, Music, record collecting, velvet underground, world's greatest music collection