Our readers have incredible record collections. Here are 15 of the most popular photos from the last year.

Words: Michael Wilkin

The world is full of record collectors, but very few get the credit they deserve. Beyond our Crate Diggers series – where we explore the record buying exploits of the world’s best DJs – we’ve also been given a look inside the private collections of the most dedicated, under appreciated vinyl enthusiasts on the planet (barring one or two obvious inclusions…)

Our #VFRecordCollections hashtag series on Instagram was the driving force behind the discoveries, where our community was treated to a constant flow of incredible photos of Instagram users’ record collections. These ranged from the minimal, to the highly curated, to the straight-up unwieldily – the one constant with every submission was the ever-present sense of enthusiasm and pride for the blood, sweat, tears (and money) spent in gathering such beautiful collections.

Do you have a record collection you’re proud of? Follow us on Instagram, tag @thevinylfactory or use the #VFRecordCollections on Instagram with your contribution.

Cover photo: @tom_furse

Ben Mor – @morbros

What a way to start the week… Here is @morbros' stunning custom designed vinyl shrine for #VFRecordCollections – made from walnut & African wenge wood with metal steel accents.

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Dec 7, 2015 at 4:54am PST

Romain Molio – @romainmolio

Collections done right – check out @romainmolio's #VFRecordCollections submission.

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Nov 11, 2015 at 6:15am PST

Damiano von Erckert – @lovebasedmusic

The studio of Damiano von Erckert via @lovebasedmusic #VFRecordCollections

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Nov 15, 2015 at 8:26am PST

Christopher Brown – @what_can_brown

#VFRecordCollections are going strong, this one comes via @what_can_brown. . Tag your collection shots with #VFRecordCollections to get featured.

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Oct 13, 2015 at 7:39am PDT

Jeff Rochester – @televista

Our Tuesday submission for #VFRecordCollections comes via @televista. . Have a collection you want to share? Tag your pics with #VFRecordCollections.

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Oct 6, 2015 at 9:05am PDT

@batterseapig

How's your collection looking? This is @batterseapig for #VFRecordCollections.

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Sep 29, 2015 at 2:53am PDT

Karen Gwyer – @kgwyer

This is impressive from @kgwyer #VFRecordCollections… (Thanks for the heads up @aesotope!)

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Sep 21, 2015 at 5:45am PDT

Daniel Pavlich – @daniel_pavlich

This killer #VFRecordCollections shot was submitted by @daniel_pavlich and isn't it awesome! . Tag your pics with the #VFRecordCollections hashtag to get yourself featured.

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Oct 27, 2015 at 2:18am PDT

Andrea Parker – @michaeljwilkin for @thevinylfactory

A little self-indulgence with this one. We recently sent our photographer out to snap the collection of UK DJ, producer and label boss Andrea Parker as part of our Crate Diggers series. While definitely not your average vinyl enthusiast, Parker’s humble approach to her stunning collection made this shot feel right at home in the list.

Andrea Parker has summited Ecuador's five highest volcanoes, suffered two collapsed lungs, DJ'd with one arm and once rescued a stack of seminal library LPs from a skip. . The next instalment of our Crate Diggers series takes us inside the record collection of the DJ, producer, label boss to find out if there really is nobody darker than Andrea Parker. . 📷: @michaeljwilkin

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Dec 9, 2015 at 6:54am PST

Tom Furse – @tom_furse

The home listening station of @Tom_Furse

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Dec 27, 2015 at 5:42am PST

Jase Ruff – @jaseruff

Thanks @jaseruff for the #VFRecordCollections submission!

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Sep 6, 2015 at 1:49pm PDT

Florian – @nrmntsnd

Another fresh #VFRecordCollections shot via @nrmntsnd 🔥👌

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Aug 27, 2015 at 9:59am PDT

Paul O. – @theconservativeclgn

Awesome submission to our #VFRecordCollections series by @theconservativeclgn. Keep them coming! 👀👌

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Aug 27, 2015 at 1:46am PDT

Anna Pirkola – @annapirkola

Record Collections: Finnish designer and stylist @annapirkola's vinyl collection. Via Nordic Design.

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Apr 7, 2015 at 5:25am PDT

Haruki Murakami

Maybe it’s a little unfair to include Haruki Murakami’s 10,000 strong jazz collection in this list? Well, heck… it was our favourite collection to be featured in 2015 hands-down (and from the response I think many of you agreed). Take the interactive tour of Murakami’s collection here to see what we mean.

Acclaimed author (and one-time owner of a small Tokyo jazz bar) Haruki Murakami recently gave a digital tour of his office, and boy is it impressive. According to Haruki, "There are about 10,000 vinyl records; I haven’t counted the CDs. These records here are mostly jazz. I almost always work listening to music."

A photo posted by The Vinyl Factory (@thevinylfactory) on Sep 17, 2015 at 3:35am PDT

Want more great photos of records? Here are the 15 record collectors you should follow on Instagram.