diff --git a/beetsplug/web/__init__.py b/beetsplug/web/__init__.py
index ede4658a2..582eb1606 100644
--- a/beetsplug/web/__init__.py
+++ b/beetsplug/web/__init__.py
@@ -124,6 +124,16 @@ def resource_list(name):
     return make_responder
 
 
+def _get_unique_table_field_values(model, field, sort_field):
+    """ retrieve all unique values belonging to a key from a model """
+    if field not in model.all_keys() or sort_field not in model.all_keys():
+        raise KeyError
+    with g.lib.transaction() as tx:
+        rows = tx.query('SELECT DISTINCT "{0}" FROM "{1}" ORDER BY "{2}"'
+                        .format(field, model._table, sort_field))
+    return [row[0] for row in rows]
+
+
 class IdListConverter(BaseConverter):
     """Converts comma separated lists of ids in urls to integer lists.
     """
@@ -194,6 +204,17 @@ def item_query(queries):
     return g.lib.items(queries)
 
 
+@app.route('/item/values/<string:key>')
+def item_unique_field_values(key):
+    sort_key = flask.request.args.get('sort_key', key)
+    try:
+        values = _get_unique_table_field_values(beets.library.Item, key,
+                                                sort_key)
+    except KeyError:
+        return flask.abort(404)
+    return flask.jsonify(values=values)
+
+
 # Albums.
 
 @app.route('/album/<idlist:ids>')
@@ -221,6 +242,17 @@ def album_art(album_id):
     return flask.send_file(album.artpath)
 
 
+@app.route('/album/values/<string:key>')
+def album_unique_field_values(key):
+    sort_key = flask.request.args.get('sort_key', key)
+    try:
+        values = _get_unique_table_field_values(beets.library.Album, key,
+                                                sort_key)
+    except KeyError:
+        return flask.abort(404)
+    return flask.jsonify(values=values)
+
+
 # Artists.
 
 @app.route('/artist/')