If you are looking to collect Prince/[ the artist ] items from a particular country, the USA is a reasonably realistic choice. Not only were a lot of each item (relatively speaking) pressed for the huge USA market, but prices -- compared to other countries such as Japan for example -- are low.

Most Prince 7" and 12" singles can be procured for anywhere between $5 and $15 with only the pre-Purple Rain era singles likely to tip the scales at between $20 and $40 a pop, depending on the title and the condition.

As for CD singles, nothing should cost you more than $12-$15 per title -- and these should be in perfect condition. In fact, the only regular, store-released USA items likely to cost you more than $100 are the 12" "Let's Work"/ "Gotta Stop (Messin' About)" [WBS 50028], and the 7" of "Delirious"/ "Horny Toad" [29503], which I've seen advertised in trade magazines for up to $135

But most of these kinds of items are small

potatoes if we factor in the wealth of promotional items the USA has produced AND the many unreleased-but-pressed, and limited and/ or withdrawn items which exist..

The following "Top 10" list makes no pretence at being exhaustive. It's merely a start. If you have any comments, corrections and/ or additions, please feel free to email me at: joeycoco@seagreen.ocn.ne.jp OR sevenmag@ozemail.com.au

1. Item with catalogue number: 1-2577, no known title, artist: "Somebody" This is the album that became known as "The Black Album" and which was eventually released under that title in 1994. The original packaging resembled that of the 1994 release: everything black with song titles, times and catalogue number in orange being the only information included. I've read of an unsubstantiated claim that a German buyer bought a copy of the LP for about $6000, but "Uptown" magazine suggests LP copies sell for between $2000 and $5000. "Uptown" also cites a CD copy

going for around $11 000 in 1991.

2. "Come" album CD-R This is the original configuration of the album as Prince first presented it to Warner Brothers in mid-1994. A copy sold for $2000. A CD-R of "The Gold Experience" also exists, but I have no definite price. It is less interesting than the "Come" CD-R, so perhaps anywhere between $1250 and $1500 would be in line with the price "Come" sold for -- depending on the number of circulating copies.

3. "The Black Album" promo LPs from 1994/ early 1995. The most common promo is the black vinyl copy, which is the cheapest. Next in value is the peach vinyl, which usually goes for around $100 in most trade magazines. I have seen a white vinyl copy for sale at $400. The ultra-limited grey vinyl copies, according to "Uptown", fetch up to $1000 a piece.

4. "The Future" promo CD single [PRO-CD-3597] Around five copies are supposed to be floating around. The track is merely the LP
version of "The Future", and, should you manage to track down a copy, be prepared to have between $600 to $800 in your wallet. A copy of this item sold in 1991 for $750.

5. "P Control"/ "319" promo CD single Less than twenty of these picture CD items were pressed and, if you have the money, you can get it from Madhouse Music in the UK for about $600. It's been on his list for a couple of years.

6. "Gett Off" (Approx. Damn Near 10 Minutes) [JUN 7] As the catalogue number suggests, this promo issue has something to do with Prince's birthday. On 7 June, 1991, Prince reportedly distributed 1500 copies to various recipients as a special birthday present. It features hand-drawn art by Prince himself in purple on a white sleeve. This item is one of the more readily available rare-and-expensive items on the market. It appears with relative frequency in trade magazines for anywhere between $250 and $500.

7. "Kamasutra" promo cassette [ the artist ] had

special cassettes printed up (featuring "The Plan" and "Kamasutra") as gifts for his wedding with Mayte, but withdrew them at the last minute. "Uptown" says only two still exist, but other sources say up to five may still be around. Price? Dunno, but a lot!

8. "51 Hours" 12" promo single Never released. Only about fifty exist and fetch between $350 and $500.

9. "Slave"/ "New World" promo cassette This item was given out at a Paisley Park party on 9 December, 1995. A copy sold for $300 about a year ago.

Perhaps similar prices would be commanded by the following three promo cassettes:

* "P Control" (House Mix) 5:48/ "P Control" (Club Mix) 6:00. Given to VIPs at the 3 December, 1995 VH1 "Fashion and Music Awards".
* "The Versace Experience -- Prelude 2 Gold". Given out to people who attended the July Paris fashion show in 1995.

* "Sexy Dancer" [PRO-A-2746] 1979 pre-release cassette featuring a unique J-card and lyrics. This item contains the short and long version of the title track (previously only extant on the UK 12" with catalogue number K17590T). Also includes "Bambi".

10. "If Eye Love U 2Nite" (Mayte) promo CD This recently sold for about $200.

The following items usually sell for more than $125

* "Lovesexy" promo CD -- tracked copy. Usually around $125. * MPLS CD single -- never released. Can be picked up for anywhere between $60-$150. * "Azz Izz" (Ren Woods w/ one Prince track -- "I Don't Wanna Stop"). It was released in 1982, but withdrawn after Prince objected to the inclusion of

his song. Second editions of this album omit the Prince track. Promo copies of this album are more readily obtainable at between $40-$80.

Of course, there are many other rare items -- from quarter-inch promo reels, to promo videos, and much more. The list is huge. The majority of these items are going to be out of the reach of most of us, but you can never tell what you'll run across. I've found some nice little bargains but I've also had some disappointing moments in my collecting. It's all part of the ride. Good luck.

Sources: Internet contacts, "Uptown" magazine, "Goldmine" magazine, "DISCovery" magazine

Photography: The Concert Photo Company. For details of their large Prince collection: Write to PO Box 828, Buckingham MK 185YX, United Kingdom; Telephone: 1280 813 147; Fax: 1280 824 154.