If you think your 40,000-song collection that fills that 160-gig iPod of yours is grandiose, get a load of Paul Mawhinney’s eye-popping music collection, which would make the guys from “High Fidelity” gasp. He calls it the World’s Greatest Music Collection, and it’s easy to see why.

It’s also for sale.

Citing advancing age, declining health, associated financial concerns, and wanting to spend more time with his five grandchildren, the 69-year-old Mawhinney wants to pass on his collection to a worthy—or wealthy, at least—inheritor.

Estimated at a value of $50 million, Mawhinney’s collection pretty much covers all types of music genres from the 20th century to current, comprising more than 3 million records, 300,000 CDs and 6 million song titles. He’s actually put it up for bid on eBay for a starting price of $3 million.

Mawhinney’s goal is to sell the collection by March 1, and reportedly had a $28.5-million bid fall through. Ideally, this owner of Pennsylvania-based Record Rama Sound Archives would pass the collection on to the right people who could take care of it for generations to enjoy.

“We’re seeking a buyer who will guarantee to keep the collection intact (other than to sell duplicate copies, if so desired) and to keep the music alive for the enjoyment and music lovers, now and for years to come,” he says on the website. “If you represent a museum, library, university, or charitable foundation, or you’re a philanthropist interested in purchasing the collection and donating it, please contact the owner’s representatives for more information, pricing and a personal on-site inspection.”

The owner began collecting music more than 40 years ago, and says more than half of the recordings were purchased “new”; everything’s now housed an a 16,000-square-foot climate-controlled warehouse.

Even if the thought of spending millions on a music collection is somewhat absurd, the thought of preserving a literal museum of music history isn’t, so hopefully Mawhinney will find his new owner soon. Then he’ll just have to hook up with one of our friendly neighborhood home theater installers and create the ultimate music history museum and listening room.

Via: USA Today

Arlen Schweiger - Editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen writes about home technology installations and product news and reviews for electronichouse.com and Electronic House magazine.