During a quick break in Vault assembling, we came across an article from December 2015 that slipped past us. It's a ranked list of every Vault package up to #25:
"If you enjoy vinyl, then at some point you have probably seen some of the forward progression that Jack White and Third Man Records have done over the last several years to help propel the resurgence of wax in everyone’s home.
The vault subscription service was launched in 2009 and is definitely part of that movement. Once a quarter, platinum subscribers receive a package in the mail that contains a Vault LP, a Vault 7″, and a Vault Novelty. The Novelty varies from quarter to quarter and has included t-shirts, posters, concert DVDs, and many more unique items.
Given that we enjoy both White and vinyl, TFN thought it was a great idea to take a look at the last 25 offerings and rank them. So without any more discussion we present the Third Man Records Vault Packages – Ranked!"
We now know what The Fire Note thinks about past packages, so the question is: what are your top Vaults?
Well lets see. My first Package was Bonnaroo that is my favorite for sure. I do feel that if you haven’t been a member since #1 then how can your vote count? But yeah that one kicked ass in my book. Peace
It’s impossible for me to pick just one because I like them for different reasons. There is something I’m fond of in every Vault package, the early White Stripes music, the singles, the books.
I love live music and seeing Jack perform live has always a been a pleasure whether it’s with The White Stripes, Raconteurs or any of the other bands – so sny package with a dvd in is always high on my list as I enjoy seeing the performances as well as hearing the music. I really enjoy looking through the books too.
I recently watched a programme on Nashville music and it showed the inside of The Ryman and I saw why it was so special to musicians and helped put the Raconteurs Live at The Ryman into context for me as before it seemed just any other concert hall.
Some packages I like for sentimental reasons, Icky Thump Mono – it was the first package and it was really exciting to have a different version of Icky Thump, the Elephant box set, unpopular with most I know but I really like it because of the excitement of the Elephant tour, Bonnaroo for a beautiful performance by everyone concerned, pressed on the most gorgeous blue-coloured vinyl which reminds me of the colour of the London sky when I saw Jack and the band at Hammersmith.
So I’ll say 1, 2, 5, 8, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23… and I know I’m going to love the next one too.
This is hard! It’s almost like having to pick a favorite child! But, if I had to choose one, I would choose 22! It set the bar high for vault packages to come. All the extras that came with it and the beautiful box really sets it apart!
I Love #23 under amazonian lights, I hope there will be more old white stripes live performances!
I’m a big fan of the live LP’s and demos/outtakes on 7"-I think that’s what the vault is best for. I love that every package is unique enough-in content or in presentation- to make them difficult to compare. Personally i don’t like the “limited version” LPs or singles in vault because every one knows it’s not as limited anymore and it’s just the same content as you would get otherwise. Also, a big fan of the soft touch covers. You guys should put them on every possible record/book.
Vault 24 was my first and I loved it. Special edition lp, WS 7 inch, Loretta pin and dvd? What wasnt to love? But 26 I dug more; great early WS show, cool 7inch despite the mishaps, CC pin and great iron on. But with Vault 27 we get 3 lp’s, a DW 7inch (well make that 2) and a challenge coin? No gripes here..Keep up the good work.
Not sure what even came in the Live Mississippi Vault but I have yet to get a T-shirt in a package… As far as coolest components in a vault package the paper cut-out Tesla Tower was a very special inclusion! The lapel pins are special but these days i look for DVDs to add to my collection!
I’m still enamoured with my first vault package, number 13, but the Lazaretto package (#20) comes a very close second.
Amazonian Lights due to the perfect design and visual identity, and Jack White and The Brick’s Vault #14, also because of it fit design and great, surprising material!
My top favorite is definitely The Live from Bonaroo package. It was so beautifully packaged and put together. I loved every element in that Vault package. I also loved the Jack Live from Third Man Package and the Lazaretto Utra Vault package was great too. Non Jack/White Stripes packages that rank high on my list is the Willie Nelson Vault package and the Loretta Lynn Vault package. I a huge fan of both Willie and Loretta so I definitely spin those a lot. Also loved the etched guitar on the Willie vinyl.