VinylAI 
Data as of Oct 17, 2026
Bob Sharples – Les Grandes Marches Américaines
1964 · France · Decca · Vinyl LP Album Stereo
Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Oct 18, 2026
- MMint
- $10.09
- NMNear Mint
- $9.03
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $6.91
- VGVery Good
- $4.78
- G+Good Plus
- $2.66
- GGood
- $1.59
- FFair
- $1.06
- PPoor
- $0.53
5 copies listed on Discogs from $1.
These are reference estimates from Discogs sold/asking data for this exact pressing, not offers and not a guaranteed price. Actual value depends on condition, completeness and current demand. Any active seller offers on this page are listed separately above.
Offers · 1
- €6.50ref VA-2FVBYMedia VG+ · Very Good Plus🇫🇷 Ships from France
The Discogs price estimate is a separate reference; offer prices above are sellers’ own.
New to condition grades like NM or VG? Read our vinyl grading guide →
Specifications
- Artist
- Bob Sharples
- Genre
- Brass & Military
- Year
- 1964
- Label
- Decca
- Catalog number
- PFS 4042
- Country
- France
Tracklist
- A1National Emblem
- A2The Caissons Go Rolling Along
- A3Wild Blue Yonder
- A4Semper Fidelis
- A5Stars And Stripes Forever
- B1Marine Corps Hymn
- B2Anchors Aweigh
- B3Washington Post
- B4El Capitan
- B5Star Spangled Banner
About this record
Bob Sharples' Les Grandes Marches Américaines, catalogued PFS 4042 on the French Decca label in 1964, commands a steep condition premium: a Mint copy reaches 10.09 USD while a VG pressing drops to 4.78 USD. Only 5 copies are currently listed for sale across the market, yet demand remains modest at 2 want against 16 in collections, a ratio that reflects the niche appeal of this brass-and-military stereo LP.
What drives its value
The price structure on this French pressing reveals condition as the dominant value driver. A Mint copy trades at 10.09 USD, while a Near Mint specimen sits at 9.03 USD; the gap widens sharply below that—VG+ reaches 6.91 USD, then VG drops to 4.78 USD.
The floor price of 1 USD reflects heavily played or damaged stock. With only 5 copies on the market and 16 collectors holding the title against just 2 actively seeking it, supply slightly outpaces active demand.
The French Decca pressing (PFS 4042) occupies a secondary tier in the Sharples discography; original UK issues and reissues command different trajectories. Scarcity is moderate rather than acute, and the stereo format on a 1964 pressing adds modest appeal to format-conscious buyers.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the catalogue number PFS 4042 stamped on the label and spine. The label itself should read Decca and identify the country of origin as France.
The record is a 10-track stereo LP on vinyl. To grade accurately, examine the playing surface under bright light: a Mint copy shows no visible wear or dust, plays without surface noise, and retains original gloss; a VG+ copy may show light marks that do not affect playback; a VG copy exhibits light scratches and some groove wear but remains fully playable; a VG copy at 4.78 USD represents the threshold where cosmetic damage becomes audible.
Check the jacket for foxing, seam splits, or ring wear—these defects lower the overall grade even if the vinyl itself is clean. The absence of a barcode confirms the 1964 pressing window.
Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Frequently asked
What is this record worth in typical condition?
A VG+ copy of PFS 4042 is estimated at 6.91 USD according to the price guide. A VG copy, more commonly encountered, is valued at 4.78 USD. These figures represent market estimates and may vary based on actual sales and regional demand.
How much more is a Mint copy worth than a VG?
A Mint copy is listed at 10.09 USD while a VG copy is 4.78 USD. The price difference reflects the rarity of truly unplayed stock and the collector preference for pristine audio and visual presentation on older pressings.
Is this a scarce pressing?
With 5 copies currently for sale and 16 in collections, this is moderately available rather than scarce. The want-to-have ratio of 2 to 16 suggests steady but not urgent collector interest. French Decca pressings of this era are less sought than original UK releases.
What makes this a French pressing rather than a UK pressing?
The catalogue number PFS 4042 and the Decca France label designation identify this as a French market release from 1964. UK Decca pressings of the same title carry different catalogue numbers and label text. The stereo format was standard for French Decca LPs of this period.
Should I buy a Poor copy at the lowest price of 1 USD?
A Poor-graded copy at 1 USD may have significant surface noise, skips, or warping that compromises playback. Unless you are building a collection for research or need a placeholder, a VG copy at 4.78 USD offers far better listening value and holds resale potential.