Shop Focus: La Dame Blanche

Although it remains a subject of continued debate, were the record industry’s fortunes measured solely by the number of stores still devoted solely to classical music, its future would appear rather dire indeed. Even in the largest musical capitals of Europe and America, privately-owned second-hand LP (and CD) shops have become increasingly rare outposts in a world dominated by retail giants such as FNAC –— nor do their futures seem assured. 

Paris has similarly witnessed a steady erosion of such collector’s haunts, but thankfully one of the city’s finest shops –— La Dame Blanche –— remains in business, offering an enticing mix of classical and jazz LPs and CDs (and DVDs). Moreover, its stock is quite extensive (over 80,000 LPs are currently back-stocked) and the intrepid music lover can find any number of catalog deletions and rarities among its shelves. 

Le commencement 

The story of La Dame Blanche begins in 1987 when Régis Page, an inveterate book collector and music lover, bought a small bookshop from his good friend, adding discount CDs to their wares. 

These founding years proved quite challenging but Régis persevered, discontinuing the book side of the shop and focusing solely on classical and jazz music –— it was risky decision but a providential one, for he quickly established himself among Paris’ leading dealers of used LPs and CDs, building a reputation clientele that stretched far beyond France’s borders, indeed worldwide. 

Régis has also expanded La Dame Blanche’s offerings, to include free-jazz, contemporary music, film soundtracks, world music, rock, pop, chanson française, et al. For LP collectors, full grading criteria are provided and orders are accepted via phone, fax, and email. 

La Dame Blanche sur l’Internet 

While La Dame Blanche previously had its own dedicated website and also sold on eBay, Discogs is now its portal of choice. This is an excellent option as one can easily search and sort through their amazing inventory. 

Unlike many other shops (which shall remain unnamed), La Dame Blanche does respond to email enquiries and want lists. The service, be it via Internet or in person, is superb. 

East Meets West 

Today, some 90% of La Dame Blanche’s website orders hail from overseas locations – of these approximately 60% are from outside Europe, principally from collectors in the Far East, including Japan (most often seeking specific rarities, first issues) and Korea (more audiophile pressings). 

La Dame Blanche supplements their Internet-based sales with website auctions, both on their own site as well as on auction giant eBay, allowing them to reach more customers than ever before. 

Les Rarissimes 

As many dealers can attest, finding good collections has become increasingly difficult, no less so in France than elsewhere. For many dealers, the ‘golden age of LP buying’ occurred principally in the 1980s and 1990s when the era of the compact disc was in its ascendancy. Indeed, La Dame Blanche believes that many collectible French LPs (of all genres) are perhaps more easily found on the second-hand Japanese market than on their native France. 

Moreover, the value of collectible records has witnessed a steady decline, with once highly sought after titles featuring Samson François, Germaine Thyssens-Valentin and Devy Erlih fetching generally lower prices than they did even a few years ago. Nevertheless, certain sets – such as the legendary 7LP box set ‘Mozart in Paris’ (Pathe DTX 191/7) –— have retained their mystique. However, in over 18 years of record hunting the staff at La Dame Blanche has only encountered this much fêted set on two or three occasions. 

Sonic Youth 

In the age of downloads, iPods, and mp3 files, the traditional ‘brick-and-mortar’ music shop might increasingly appear a fading anachronism, vinyl in particular going the way of gas light. Thus, La Dame Blanche remains –— not only for Parisian music lovers –— but also for collectors worldwide a haven of musical art and a gateway to new musical experience, past present, and future – valued by the enthusiast, aficionado, and musicians alike, including such renowned artists as Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Jim O’Rourke, et al. 

If you cannot journey to Paris, do not despair; their online Discog’s store boasts nearly 10,000 items and there are tens of thousands more one can inquire about — your visit will not go unrewarded.