London vinyl collector auctioning 'rarest single in world' that he spent 10 years searching for

After a 10-year search, a musician and record collector from London located an incredibly rare single that is now expected to make waves when it is put up for sale at auction. Pete Anderson's lifetime collection of 1,500 vinyl records is predicted to fetch £20,000 at auction, with one single in particular thought to attract big bids.

The record in question has been dubbed the "rarest single in the world" and is a copy of the first ever recording on vinyl written and performed by music legend Neil Young. The Sultan/Aurora by The Squires, one of Neil’s first bands, was pressed in 1963 and it is thought only 300 copies were ever made. Some 61 years later hardly any are known to exist.

With a staggering collection of 1,500 records, Pete seized his search and took flight to Winnipeg Canada in hopes of obtaining the final vinyl in his Neil Young collection. He said: “It took me years to locate someone who was potentially interested in selling the single. Prior to locating a seller, I’d been searching for this rare and seemingly elusive The Sultan/Aurora double A-side vinyl for the best part of 10 years."

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Despite locating the rarity in the UK, the owner unfortunately didn’t want to sell so Pete travelled to Winnipeg, in Canada. He added: “Long story short, I was lucky to buy the vinyl from a private collector who’d owned his copy since its original release in 1963. After some back and forward negotiation he agreed to sell his copy to me for $2750 (£2,170).”

With his 50th birthday approaching and a desire to travel, Pete's decided to part ways with his vinyl treasures. Pete’s music memorabilia, consisting of 120 Neil Young records and offerings from icons like Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd, will go under the hammer in July.

Claire Howell, a consultant at Hansons Auctioneers said: “It’s one of the best collections of vinyl I have ever seen in my life”. She says the collection could achieve £20,000 at auction with The Squires single guided at £3,000 to £3,500 and many consider it to be the rarest single in the world. “I’ve read that even Neil Young doesn’t own a copy. That’s how rare it is” Claire said.

Vinyl junkies from all over the world will be tuning in and Claire added "this auction should be a smash hit with collectors”. The vinyl collection will be offered in the July 3 Music and Film Auction at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall.

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