Choosing among vinyl records can be tricky when the set mixes story records, soundtrack collectibles, and even a preservation-focused book. The right pick depends less on a single "best" title and more on what you want to add: a film tie-in, a read-along record, a storyteller LP with booklet appeal, or a reference work about sound recordings.
Quick take
- Best for a Rankin/Bass Tolkien shelf: *The Hobbit Vinyl Record 1977 Rankin Bass Disneyland 3819 Storyteller Book LP VG* stands out for its 1977 Disneyland storyteller angle, 12-inch record size, and internal booklet mention.
- Best for a sci-fi soundtrack-and-book pairing: *Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record* is the clearest fit if you want a Wrath of Khan title with an original cover and cardboard sleeve.
- Best lowest-price read-along pick: *STAR WARS 33 1/3 RPM Record and 24 Page Read-Along STORY Book 1979 Lucasfilm* is the least expensive option and names a 24-page read-along story book right in the title.
- Best for collectors interested in care and storage history: *PICKETT LEMCOE Preservation & Storage of Sound Recordings Library of Congress* is not a standard listening LP; it is a used first-edition book tied to sound-recording preservation.
Listed price comparison
The spread runs from USD 12.00 to USD 49.99, with the lowest listed item 76% below the highest. That makes the decision partly about format and fandom: two choices are movie story or soundtrack records, one is a Tolkien storyteller LP, and one is a preservation book rather than a conventional record.
| Product | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| The Hobbit Vinyl Record 1977 Rankin Bass Disneyland 3819 Storyteller Book LP VG | USD 49.99 | |
| Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record | USD 20.00 | |
| STAR WARS 33 1/3 RPM Record and 24 Page Read-Along STORY Book 1979 Lucasfilm | USD 12.00 | |
| PICKETT LEMCOE Preservation & Storage of Sound Recordings Library of Congress | USD 24.99 |
Decision matrix
| If your priority is... | Start with... | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| A Tolkien-related storyteller record | The Hobbit Vinyl Record 1977 Rankin Bass Disneyland 3819 Storyteller Book LP VG | The title names Rankin Bass, Disneyland, Storyteller Book, and LP, while the attributes identify a 12-inch black vinyl record. |
| A Star Trek movie collectible | Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record | The title directly names *Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan*, and the attributes include soundtracks and musicals, cardboard sleeve, and original cover. |
| A Star Wars read-along item | STAR WARS 33 1/3 RPM Record and 24 Page Read-Along STORY Book 1979 Lucasfilm | The title calls out a 24-page read-along story book and 1979 Lucasfilm connection. |
| A reference item about recorded sound | PICKETT LEMCOE Preservation & Storage of Sound Recordings Library of Congress | It is listed as a first-edition book with the title *Preservation and Storage of Sound Recordings*. |
Concise product notes
The Hobbit Vinyl Record 1977 Rankin Bass Disneyland 3819 Storyteller Book LP VG
This is the most obvious choice for someone building around Tolkien, Rankin/Bass, or Disneyland storyteller material. The attributes identify Rankin/Bass and J.R.R. Tolkien, black vinyl, 12-inch record size, and the release title *The Hobbit: Songs and Dialogue From The Original Motion Picture S*, while the description mentions bright graphics and an internal 12-page booklet. The tradeoff is that it is marked used and sits at the top of this group's listed price range, so it makes the most sense when the Hobbit theme and booklet-style presentation matter more than simply finding the lowest-cost record.
Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record
Fans looking for a compact sci-fi media piece get a very direct title here: *Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record*. It is marked new, with a cardboard sleeve, black record color, original cover, and a soundtrack-and-musicals genre. The description frames it as a vinyl record featuring the soundtrack from the movie and includes both book and record, which helps if you want a film-linked item rather than a general music LP. Its limitation is specificity: it is centered on one Star Trek film, so it will not be as broadly useful for a shopper seeking a wider soundtrack assortment or a non-franchise record.
STAR WARS 33 1/3 RPM Record and 24 Page Read-Along STORY Book 1979 Lucasfilm
This is the easy pick for a Star Wars read-along angle. The title names a 33 1/3 RPM record, a 24-page read-along story book, and 1979 Lucasfilm, while the attributes list a paper sleeve, first edition, 1970s era, original cover, and black record color. The description also says the record was tested and worked fine, with the sleeve in good condition with minor wear. The limitation is that it is marked used, and the paper sleeve format is simpler than the cardboard-sleeve presentation on the Star Trek item. It is strongest for shoppers prioritizing Star Wars, read-along format, and the lowest listed cost in this group.
PICKETT LEMCOE Preservation & Storage of Sound Recordings Library of Congress
This is the outlier, but a useful one for a collector who cares about the history and handling of recorded sound. The title and attributes point to *Preservation and Storage of Sound Recordings*, M.M. Pickett and A.G. Lemcoe, Library of Congress, and first-edition status. The description identifies it as an original 1959 edition rather than a reprint, with topics around sound-recording preservation and storage. The limitation is equally important: its format is book, not record, so it is better as a reference or companion piece than as an item to play on a turntable.
How to choose among them
If you are choosing for fandom first, split the group by franchise or subject. *STAR WARS 33 1/3 RPM Record and 24 Page Read-Along STORY Book 1979 Lucasfilm* is the most direct Star Wars choice because the title combines the record with a 24-page read-along story book. *Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record* is the focused Star Trek pick, with soundtrack-and-musicals genre and original-cover attributes. *The Hobbit Vinyl Record 1977 Rankin Bass Disneyland 3819 Storyteller Book LP VG* is the Tolkien option, with the strongest storyteller-LP identity.
If you are choosing by condition wording, the Star Trek title is the only one marked new. The Hobbit and Star Wars titles are marked used, and the Pickett Lemcoe book is also marked used. For vintage media, that condition distinction may matter more than genre if the item is meant as a gift or display piece.
If you are choosing by format, keep the Pickett Lemcoe item separate from the others. It belongs in a vinyl-records shopping conversation because it is about sound recordings, but its listed format is book. The other three are records paired with story, book, or soundtrack elements.
Final recommendation
For the broadest story-record appeal, choose STAR WARS 33 1/3 RPM Record and 24 Page Read-Along STORY Book 1979 Lucasfilm at USD 12.00 if the goal is a low-listed-price read-along collectible with a clear 1979 Lucasfilm hook. If your collection is centered on Tolkien animation or Disneyland storyteller LPs, The Hobbit Vinyl Record 1977 Rankin Bass Disneyland 3819 Storyteller Book LP VG is the most targeted choice despite being the highest listed item at USD 49.99. For Star Trek fans, Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record is the straightforward film-specific pick. Add PICKETT LEMCOE Preservation & Storage of Sound Recordings Library of Congress when the goal is a first-edition reference work about preserving sound recordings rather than another playable vinyl title.