He found a way to make his old records unforgettable.
For many collectors, there’s one uncomfortable question we tend to avoid: what happens to all our stuff after we’re gone?
Will anyone care about those dusty old records, the carefully organized shelves, or the little treasures we spent years tracking down? Or will it all end up in a donation bin, or worse, the landfill?
One longtime vinyl lover decided he wasn’t leaving that up to chance.
The Unusual Plan to Save His Vinyl Collection
Like many people with personal collections, a long-time vinyl collector had a quiet worry. After he died, would anyone know what those records meant? Or would they all just get tossed out?
His collection is only over 500 records deep. None of them are rare, and most wouldn’t sell for much.
To him, however, they aren’t just records but pieces of his life. So, he decided to grab a stack of sticky labels and started writing a few sentences on each one of them.
“I’ve been labelling my record sleeves with some context for each album. Most of these are little anecdotes with memories around a specific album,” he explained.
“I thought these would be fun for my kid to read when he gets older and explores my collection, and it should be extra special when passed on to him.”
These detail where he got the record, why he bought it, or what was happening in his life when it was playing in the background. Just enough to explain why he bought it or what it reminded him of.
His collection includes varied emotional connections.
He shares nostalgic stories about hearing Moby’s “Play” while driving through Wyoming and connecting with Low’s albums “Double Negative” and “Hey What.” But, he also has more candid admissions like his note on Deerhoof’s “Apple O” where he confesses “It didn’t really resonate with me” despite multiple attempts to appreciate the album.
He’s not expecting the entire collection to be saved, though. That isn’t the goal. Instead, he just wants the records to carry something personal with them. Not for their resale value or their sound quality, but just because of a little context.
Why Others Are Loving the Idea
The concept struck a chord with fellow vinyl enthusiasts, many of whom immediately pledged to adopt the practice.
Others have shared their different approaches.
One person shared that they’ve started keeping a spreadsheet of their record collection with short notes and memories tied to each entry. Someone even mentioned recording videos to make it more personal.
The practice extends beyond parent-child relationships too, with aunts, uncles and grandparents participating.
In fact, some users already experienced the emotional power of such personal touches.
His Tips on How You Can Do It Too
For those interested in implementing their own version of this preservation technique, YourMatt shared his process in the comments. Here’s how to create your own record memories:
- Purchase 8×11 sheets of sticker paper from Amazon or office supply stores
- Write personal notes about each album’s significance or purchase story
- Save the write-ups until you have enough to fill a sheet
- Print using a standard inkjet printer with normal settings
- Cut out each label using a straight-edge and box-cutter
- Apply stickers to clear plastic outer sleeves rather than directly on album covers
- Consider adding the album’s original hype sticker alongside your personal notes
The community also suggested several alternatives:
- Tuck index cards inside record sleeves for a more traditional approach
- Add NFC tags to outer sleeves that link to Discogs entries when scanned
- Record video explanations of your most special albums
- Maintain notes in Discogs collection databases
- Create a companion book with stories about each record
Whatever method collectors choose, the sentiment remains the same. These personal touches can transform collections into meaningful legacies meant to be cherished, not discarded.