Collecting vinyl records with books, artwork, and box packaging is a different decision from choosing a standard album. The key question is whether you want music to play, a complete film or fantasy display piece, or a reference book that supports a deeper collection. In this group, the low entry point is a Star Trek II book-and-record set, while the highest-priced choice is a 1977 Hobbit set built around three LPs and multiple original inserts.
Quick take
- For a complete fantasy collectible: The Hobbit Rankin Bass Complete Box Set stands apart through its three-LP format, poster, iron-on transfers, and book.
- For classic science-fiction soundtrack interest: Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record is the straightforward, lower-cost music-and-book choice.
- For an epic-film presentation: Ben-Hur Deluxe Box Set 1E1 LP & Book combines Miklós Rózsa's score with a hardcover book in a deluxe MGM box.
- For discography research rather than a listening selection: Larry F. Kiner's *Nelson Eddy: a Bio-Discography* is the outlier, as it is a book centered on recordings, radio, and films.
Listed price comparison
The listed range runs from $12.50 to $250, with the lowest price 95% below the highest. That wide spread reflects very different formats and collecting roles, not simply variations of the same kind of record.
| Selection | Listed price | Relative listed price |
|---|---|---|
| The Hobbit Rankin Bass Complete Box Set-3 LPs, Poster, Iron-on Transfers & Book | USD 250.00 | |
| Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record | USD 12.50 | |
| Larry F Kiner NELSON EDDY A Bio-Discography Radio Shows Hollywood Movies Record | USD 49.99 | |
| Ben-Hur Deluxe Box Set 1E1 LP & Book VG+ MGM Soundtrack Complete | USD 14.99 |
Decision matrix
Choose by collecting goal. Pick *The Hobbit* when completeness matters most: it is identified as an original 1977 Fantasy Records box set with inserts, an original cover, and original inner sleeves. Pick *Ben-Hur* when you want a classic movie-score LP presented with a book but do not need the larger fantasy package. Pick *Star Trek II* when the 1982 film and its soundtrack are the draw. Pick the Kiner book when your priority is a chronological guide to Nelson Eddy's radio shows, recording sessions, songs, and related career material.
Choose by format. Three selections pair a record with printed material, but they do so differently. *The Hobbit* emphasizes a multi-piece box set; *Ben-Hur* is a deluxe box with an LP and hardcover book; and *Star Trek II* is a book-and-record set. The Kiner title is explicitly formatted as a book, so it suits shelf reference alongside a vinyl collection rather than filling a turntable slot.
Choose by era and sound. The *Ben-Hur* edition is identified as mono and from the 1950s, whereas *The Hobbit* is a 1977 fantasy soundtrack set. *Star Trek II* centers on music from the 1982 movie. Those distinctions matter for collectors building around a particular film period or soundtrack style.
Concise product notes
The Hobbit Rankin Bass Complete Box Set-3 LPs, Poster, Iron-on Transfers & Book
This is the selection for someone seeking a substantial *The Hobbit* display and listening package rather than a single soundtrack LP. The original 1977 Fantasy Records box is described as complete with all original pieces: three LPs, a poster, iron-on decal sheet, and book. Glenn Yarbrough/Soundtrack is credited as the artist, and the set is in English with vinyl records. The stated LP condition is excellent, with a mint inlay condition, making the package especially oriented toward collectors who care about its included paper pieces. Its limitation is the cardboard box: shelf and storage abrasions are noted, particularly at edges and corners.
Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record
For a compact piece of *Star Trek II* memorabilia, this book-and-record set puts the film score and soundtrack at the center. It is described as a 33 RPM, high-fidelity vinyl LP with the original cover, and its genre is Soundtracks & Musicals. The record is described as mint and the sleeve as very good plus, giving it a distinct appeal for collectors focused on the music from the 1982 film. Compared with the multi-LP Hobbit package, this is a more contained single-LP format with no poster or additional transfer sheet mentioned. The item is listed as used, even though sealed is also included among its features.
Larry F Kiner NELSON EDDY A Bio-Discography Radio Shows Hollywood Movies Record
This 1992 hardcover is the right fit when the objective is context and cataloging rather than another record to play. Larry F. Kiner's *Nelson Eddy: a Bio-Discography* is described as covering radio shows, recording sessions, songs, commercial recordings, films, musicians, and other performers in chronological order. It also includes a biographical sketch, photographs, a bibliography, and indexes, giving it a clear research role for an Eddy-focused collection. Its 9-inch length and 1-inch height reinforce its book format. The tradeoff is simple: although its genre tags include soundtracks and spoken word, it is explicitly a book rather than a vinyl release.
Ben-Hur Deluxe Box Set 1E1 LP & Book VG+ MGM Soundtrack Complete
The *Ben-Hur* set offers a focused route into classic film-score collecting. It pairs the original LP with a hardcover book, credits Miklós Rózsa as artist and composer, and identifies Carlo Savina as conductor. The deluxe MGM Records edition carries catalog number 1E1 and includes a track sequence from "Prelude" through "The Miracle And Finale." It is a strong match for a collector who wants music, photography, and box presentation tied to one landmark film. The records are described as VG+ and the box as VG to VG+, with light age-related wear and corner wear. Its mono edition may be a limitation for anyone specifically seeking stereo sound.
Final recommendation
Start with Ben-Hur Deluxe Box Set 1E1 LP & Book VG+ MGM Soundtrack Complete if you want the most balanced entry into a vintage soundtrack box: at USD 14.99, it includes both an LP and hardcover book and is far closer to the lowest end of this group than the $250 Hobbit set. Choose The Hobbit Rankin Bass Complete Box Set-3 LPs, Poster, Iron-on Transfers & Book when the complete 1977 box, three records, poster, transfers, and book are the actual goal; its much higher listed price is tied to that broader original package. For science-fiction focus, Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan Book And Record is the lower-cost soundtrack alternative, while the Kiner volume belongs with collectors who want Nelson Eddy documentation rather than vinyl playback.
