Judy Collins Whales and Nightingales Value Guide

Released in 1970 on Elektra Records, Whales and Nightingales is a landmark folk album that blended environmental consciousness with commercial success. It is highly collectible for featuring the definitive version of 'Amazing Grace' and its pioneering use of humpback whale vocalizations on tracks like 'Farewell to Tarwathie.'

What Is Judy Collins Whales and Nightingales Worth?

The typical price range for Judy Collins Whales and Nightingales is $12 - $15 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the vinyl, specifically the absence of surface noise during the quiet whale song segments.
• The state of the cardboard cover, with higher value assigned to copies without ring wear, seam splits, or price stickers.
• The inclusion of original paper inner sleeves or lyric inserts that were packaged with the 1970 United States release.
• Market demand for the 'Amazing Grace' single, which remains the album's most famous and commercially significant track.

How to Identify Judy Collins Whales and Nightingales?

• Check for the original 1970 Elektra Records butterfly or red label design to confirm first pressings.
• Verify the presence of the track 'Farewell to Tarwathie' which features the distinct humpback whale recordings.
• Look for the gatefold or standard sleeve construction typical of United States cardboard manufacturing from the early 1970s.
• Inspect the matrix runout numbers on the vinyl to ensure it matches the 1970 release catalog sequence.

History of Judy Collins Whales and Nightingales

Released on Elektra Records in 1970, Whales and Nightingales marked a commercial high point for Judy Collins, containing her globally popular version of "Amazing Grace." The album is notable for incorporating recordings of humpback whale songs, particularly on the track "Farewell to Tarwathie," making it a groundbreaking work in combining environmental themes with folk music.