About seven years ago, a friend of mine sold all his vinyl collection off to a local dealer – it was around 300 LPs or so, as he was moving abroad.
He let me have a flick through to see if there was anything I liked the look of (I don’t collect vinyl, but was curious) and I found two Bart Simpson shaped vinyl that made me smile.
I plucked them out and he said I could have them both for a tenner, seeing as I’m a Simpsons fan and he’d be happy they were heading to a good home.
Since then, I’ve had them on display in my home office and they’re always a talking point. On a Zoom call recently, someone asked me what they’re worth.
I’ve had a poke around eBay, and can see plenty listed for north of £100, but I’m not sure that’s realistic on a vinyl I paid a fiver each for.
The vinyl are in good condition and both same ‘limited edition.’ Just how limited edition are they?
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Ay Carumba! Does my Bart Simpson limited edition shaped vinyl hit the high notes?
Dan Hatfield, resident This is Money expert valuer, replies: Ay Carumba!
Last week, we delved into the enigmatic world of the Freemasons; this week, we’re off to Springfield to spin tales about Bart Simpson’s vinyl ventures.
When This is Money editor Lee Boyce first asked me to write this column I couldn’t have foreseen our journey would, thus far, be so eclectic, eccentric, and delightfully surreal.
But here we are, hopping from secret societies to animated antics, and I must say, I’m loving every unpredictable twist.
First, let’s remind ourselves of the monumental impact The Simpsons has had over its nearly four-decade run.
Popular: Think the 1990s and The Simpsons is likely to be at the top of your list for cultural references
Conceived by Matt Groening and further developed with the genius of James L. Brooks and Sam Simon, The Simpsons began as a series of animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987.
Its comedic portrayal of middle-American family life struck such a chord that, by 1989, it blossomed into its own show on Fox.
The series experienced unrivaled popularity, almost defining a generation, with its catchphrases echoing around the globe.
In my opinion, no show has had the cultural impact that this one has had.
Although The Simpsons new series doesn’t quite hit the public’s sweet spot compared to the first ten series it is, as of 2025 still being made.
Indeed, it is now the longest running American animated series, the longest running American sitcom and the longest running American American scripted primetime revision show.
Okily dokily, now, onto the vinyl frontier. Back in the early ’90s, amid the throes of ‘Bartmania,’ The Simpsons capitalised on their huge fame in America with a slew of merchandise, including limited edition vinyl records.
One standout is the ‘Do the Bartman’ single, from ‘The Simpsons Sing the Blues’ album. Both were released in 1990.
This track not only showcased Bart’s (or rather, Nancy Cartwright’s) vocal prowess but also became a cultural touchstone internationally.
Looking at this first album from a UK context, it’s interesting to note that when Do the Bartman, was released in November 1990, most families in Britain did not have access to Sky TV, the platform that the Simpsons was shown on.
It’s also interesting to note it took 10 weeks to hit number one, reaching the top of the charts on 10 February and remaining there for three weeks.
This is proof that actually the song became popular over time rather than having an instant army of fans.
We can thus establish that while The Simpsons was popular prior to the album’s release, it was actually the album which greatly contributed to the popularity of the series as a whole in the UK and beyond.
The next vinyl to be released in 1991 was ‘Deep Deep Trouble’ created by Groening and the 90s icon that is Jazzy Jeff.
Unfortunately, this offering didn’t quite tickle the British tastebuds quite as much and reached a rather modest number seven in the charts.
Fun: Unusual vinyl shapes are popular with collectors – have you hit a bargain with your Bart ones?
Now onto the price. I would value your ‘Do the Bartman album at around £40 to £50 and your ‘Deep Deep Trouble at £10 to £15.
The first vinyl is much more desirable and collectors will intimately pay more for a release that did better in the charts and captured the imagination of the public as opposed to the later vinyl.
But I would suggest selling the pair together as it is in doing this that you will achieve the greatest amount.
You would be looking in the region of around £70 to £80 implementing this tactic.
I do believe that these albums best days are yet to come monetary speaking. Over the next 20 years I see vinyl increasing in popularity and as The Simpsons turn 40 in just a few years’ time, nostalgia will well and truly kick in.
It’s safe to say 1990s items are on trend right now and I believe that the love for that decade will continue to intensify for the next decade.
I would suggest holding on to them as I can easily foresee them being worth something in the low hundreds, collectively as we enter the 2030s
I know you had hoped that they would bring a hundred or so each, the internet can be a confusing and contradictory place when it comes to attempting to obtain a value.
The great thing is you paid so little for them that you have absolute bargains on your hands.
I hope you aren’t too disappointed and if you are, well most respectfully but in the worlds of our spiky haired yellow friend: eat my shorts!
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Dan Hatfield: Our columnist is ready to value your Modern Treasure
Dan Hatfield is This Morning’s money-making expert and resident pawnbroker. He is an international specialist in antiques, jewellery, diamonds and collectibles.
Dan’s first non-fiction book, Money Maker: Unlock Your Money Making Potential (£16.99, published by Hodder Catalyst) is available now.
This is Money’s Modern Treasures column is after your items and collections for valuations.
Please send in as much information as possible, including photographs, to: editor@thisismoney.co.uk with the email subject line: Modern Treasures
We’re after post-War items only please and we may contact you for further information.
Dan will do his best to reply to your message in his bi-weekly column, but he won’t be able to answer everyone or correspond privately with readers.
Nothing in his replies constitutes regulated financial advice. Published questions are sometimes edited for brevity or other reasons.
As with anything, if you are looking to sell items and collections, it is wise to get a second and third opinion – not just rely on Dan’s suggestions.
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