Incredible vinyl record collections and their owners (11 photos)

Photographer Eilon Paz left Israel in 2008 to try his luck in New York. At the time, the economic crisis was beginning, and finding work was becoming increasingly difficult. All he managed to get was a sales position at a vinyl record store. It was there that he came up with the idea for a project about record collectors.





Paz met collectors of all types. He especially liked those who kept specific collections, like only copies of The Beatles' "White Album" or only Sesame Street records. And while each collector was different, they had something in common.

"Collecting vinyl records is much more difficult than collecting MP3s. They're expensive. They weigh a lot. You have to constantly monitor the collection. Even to listen to a record, you can't just put it on and forget about it. It demands attention. I think people who collect vinyl have a much greater respect for music."



Joe Bussard, in the basement of his home in Frederick, Maryland, shows off one of his rarest vinyl records. The paper sleeves are all faded in the middle—the result of Joe constantly sifting through, sorting, and pulling out his favorites. He's been building this collection for 60 years. (Eilon Paz)

In January 2011, Paz traveled to Ghana with Frank Grossner. They met Philip Osei Kodze, an 80-year-old man from Mampong, who invited them into his home to look at his vinyl record collection. He hadn't listened to records in 30 years because he couldn't fix his turntable. When they played a record for the first time, his reaction was unexpectedly emotional. (Eilon Paz)



Alessandro Benedetti of Monsummano Terme, Italy, holds a Guinness World Records certificate for the largest collection of colored vinyl records. Pictured here is his home, where he lives with his father, Marinello (right). Alessandro is holding a copy of Ozzy Osbourne's album Bark at the Moon. (Eilon Paz)



Andy Carthy, also known as Mr. Dirty, from Manchester, UK.



Miriam Lina and Billy Miller in Brooklyn, New York. (Eilon Paz)



Oliver Wang, a vinyl record collector, composer, and music journalist from Los Angeles, with his home collection. (Eilon Paz)



While packing "jewels" during a move from London to the Philippines, Keb' Darge pauses to listen to Teddy McRae's "Hi-Fi Baby." (Eilon Paz)



Joey Altruda, a collector from Los Angeles. (Eilon Paz)



Eoten Alapatt is a collector from Los Angeles. (Eilon Paz)



Sheila Burgel is a collector from Brooklyn, New York, specializing in girl group records. (Eilon Paz)



DJ Shame at his home in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. (Eilon Paz)