48 pence per disc seems to be about the average. However royalty rates that were negotiated 30 years ago are often diabolically low. I have a good friend who made a number of albums for Decca during the period 1969 - 75. At the time, his rate was ok, however since the advent of CD, contracts have been re-written. Where as at one time, he got aprox 15% of the wholesale price. (ie the price the label sold to distributors), he now gets 15% of the "accounting" price.
This is a con where by Universal (who now own the Decca back catalogue) use there own in house distribution and sell to themselves at a ridiculously low price, of which he gets 15%
The bottom line is that he now gets something like 5p per CD sold !
Universal are unwilling to discus / negotiate. The Musicians Union will not intervene. The only option ios to take Universal to court. This immediately runs into the problem of hiring a barrister, etc which is phenomonly expensive.
In comparrison to this, the Topic / Nic Jones royalties seem excellent.
Wherever possible, please try to buy direct from the artist or their own on line site. At least then, they will get a return on their talent. I know this isnt always possible, but it p*sses me off to think that the record labels / distibutors and shops make more from the sale of a CD than the actual artist who recorded it.

LL