Several rare white-label test pressings by top artists, including David Bowie, Ed Sheeran and many others, are coming up for auction on October 5, a week ahead of this year’s National Album Day on October 12.

The first-of-its-kind auction, to be hosted live onsite/online for U.K. and international collectors by Omega Auctions from their Newton-Le-Willows base, will see around 300 white-label LP test pressings go under the hammer.

“It’s unprecedented to have a collection of white label titles of this size up for auction,” said Omega Auctions’ Paul Fairweather, “and we’re certain that collectors will be as excited as we are when the full catalogue is published.”

As the vinyl test pressings are produced to ensure the sound quality of the recordings and are checked by artists themselves or their representatives, these are much sought after by fans and collectors.

The auction will help raise funds for U.K. music charity The BRIT Trust, which aids education and wellbeing through music.

“It’ll be wonderful if, by auctioning these rarities, we can raise funds to support the amazing work of The BRIT Trust, whilst celebrating the ‘art of the album’ through National Album Day,” said Johnny Chandler, who mooted the idea of this auction.

The test pressings that are up for auction were released or reissued between 2014 and 2019, and a few of these are signed by the artist.

Source: RTT Music News