Blue Notes, $1,000 Bin & $2,000 Bin
May 31, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note
It’s June and the $1,000 bin is busting out all over, mostly with Blue Notes.
How do you like this one? Tina Brooks, True Blue, Blue Note 4041. This was an original pressing. The vinyl was listed in M- condition, the cover was listed as excellent, with shrink wrap still on it. The top bid was $2,311 and . . . and . . . and . . . and it still failed to meet the reserve price.
The seller roverd-90 had a nice weekend selling Blue Notes. Here are a few:
Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This was an original pressing in M- condition for the record and the cover. It received a top bid of $2,264 and actually sold for that price, since there was no reserve. From the same seller was Lee Morgan, Indeed, Blue Note 1538. This was an original Lexington Avenue, flat-edge pressing. The vinyl was M- and the cover was VG+. The price was $1,915. And then there was this:
Tags: Hutta Hipp, Lee Morgan, Tina Brooks
Jazz Vinyl Price Decline? Some Theories
May 31, 2010 Features
OK, I have two theories on why prices in mid-tier, i.e. non-Blue Note jazz vinyl on eBay may be down from previous levels.
1. A couple of months ago, eBay made a decision that would drive more revenue, but not necessarily enhance either the buyer’s or seller’s experience. Previously, if you did a search of jazz vinyl you would only see those items that were up for auction, plus those items that had buy-it-now prices with specific deadlines. On average, if you would do a search you would get about 20,000 to 25,000 jazz records over the course of any week. Then eBay decided it wanted to charge more for store listings and raised the price from 3 cents a month for a store listing to some listings as high as 20 cents a month. To justify this rate hike, they made all of the store listings appear on general searches for jazz records.
The result: If you do a search on 12-inch jazz records, which I did just now, you will come up
Tags: Jazz Vinyl on eBay
A Slight Site Change
May 31, 2010 News
Before I get into my theory or theories on some of the lower prices on eBay for mid-tier collectibles, which I will do later this morning, let me inform you of a recent slight change we’ve made to the Jazz Collector site. After we started the Reader Forum a couple of months ago, we set up the site so that comments would appear in a different order, with the most recent on top. We did this to make it easier to use the Reader Forum without having to scroll through to the bottom. However, we spent some time on the site last night, just perusing old articles and it all seemed a bit out of synch and counter-intuitive. When you look at the articles, as well as the Reader Forum, there’s a certain flow wherein the order of the postings is part of telling the entire story. Anyway, we decided to go back to showing the comments in the order they were posted, top to bottom, the way it is handled on most Web sites. It may be a little bit more hassle reading the Reader Forum, but for me, as a reader, it enhances the overall storytelling.
Tags: Jazz Collector
Tracking Rare Jazz Vinyl That Didn’t Sell
May 30, 2010 Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran, Prestige
Let’s catch up on a few odds and ends in the world of collectible jazz vinyl:
The Blue Notes continue to be getting top dollar, but there seems to be a drop-off in prices in the middle of the market, records that would normally sell in the $30-$150 range. I’ve noticed it with my own sales on eBay and I was talking with Steve at Round Again Records in Providence yesterday and he said he believes the market has fallen off by as much as 40 percent in the past couple of years. I was thinking about that when I looked at some of the records I’ve been watching on eBay that failed to get bids, despite what seemed to be reasonable starting prices. Here are a few:
Kenny Drew and his Progressive Piano, Norgran 1066. This was an original pressing from a reputable seller. The record was in nice condition, M-/VG++ and the cover seemed nice as well with a partial seam split. The start price was $74.99 and there were no bidders. The picture accompanying the listing wasn’t great and perhaps that dampened the enthusiasm.
Ken McIntyre, Looking Ahead, New Jazz 8247. This was an original pressing with the purple labels and the deep grooves. The record and cover were in VG+ condition and the start price was $99.99. This record, which prominently features Eric
Tags: Bob Brookmeyer, Eric Dolphy, Ken McIntyre, Kenny Drew, New Jazz Records, Round Again Records
Jazz Vinyl on eBay: Lee, Jutta, Dex, Rouse
May 28, 2010 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay
It is the Memorial Day weekend here in the States and I am off to the city of Providence this morning for my son’s graduation from grad school at Brown University. Perhaps I will sneak in a chance to visit Steve at Round Again Records, where there are always a few gems stashed away on the shelves. In the meantime, I have taken a few moments to peruse eBay and find some interesting items for us all to watch this weekend.
If you’ve been watching eBay the past few days, you’ve probably seen the extremely nice group of records by the seller roverd-90, including: Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This is an original pressing and it looks to be in quite pristine, near mint condition. The current price is nearly $800 and we would expect this to sell for more than $2,000 and perhaps even more than $3,000. From the same seller is this:
Tags: Charlie Rouse, Dexter Gordon, Dootone Records, Euclid Records, Jazz Vinyl, Jutta Hipp, Lee Morgan
Jazz Vinyl on Ebay: Prestige, Vanguard, Verve
May 25, 2010 Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Verve
Here are some odds and ends we’ve been watching on eBay:
Billy Taylor Trio Volume 2, Prestige 7016. This one was in M- condition for both the record and the cover and it sold for $74.99, which is about what you’d expect for a Billy Taylor Prestige these days. I do have a question on this: I’ve had this record with two different covers — the one shown here and another one that I recall as having a black and white and gray design with a picture of Billy. Not sure which is original, but both had the New York address on the label and the cover. I’m sure the original had the kakubushi cover, but I am not home now to check it out. Anyone? Rudolf?
Dave Burns, Vanguard 9111. This one was in M- condition for the vinyl and VG++ or M- for the cover. The price was $182.50. I own this record and it’s quite good, featuring Herbie Morgan on tenor sax, and I have rarely seen it on eBay, or anywhere else for that matter.
This one didn’t get a single bid, much to my surprise:
Tags: Billy Taylor, Dave Burns, Jazz Vinyl, Tal Farlow, Vanguard Records
Catching Up: Sahib, Serge, Newk, Woods
May 23, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige
This one almost made the $2,000 bin: Sahib Shihab and the Danish Radio Jazz Group, Oktav 111. This was an original Danish pressing. What was most amazing about this listing was the number of views it received — more than 1,600. It was listed so that it came up on the first page when you would do a search of jazz vinyl, but still, 1,600 views is quite a lot for any record. Also, I have to plead my ignorance about this LP: I’ve never seen it before and know nothing about it, so if anyone has insight to share, please feel free to do so. The record seemed to be in VG++ condition, close to M-, and the cover was also about VG++, based on the description. The price was $1,952.60.
This one seemed to get top dollar: Serge Chaloff, Blue Serge, Capitol 742. It was an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover and it was sold by Euclid Records. The price was $364.88. Finding these records in such
Tags: Capitol Records, Euclid Records, Jazz Vinyl, Phil Woods, Sahib Shihab, Serge Chaloff, Sonny Rollins
Are Sales Drooping? Some Items For the Weekend
May 21, 2010 Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
Is it me, or do things seem slow on eBay? I’m seeing a lot of action on the high-end records, but not much among the mid-tier collectibles. I had a bunch of items this week that I listed for $15, expecting they would sell for $30 or $40 or more, but most of them actually sold for less than $20. I even took advantage of the lull and bid on a few items myself and, fortunately or unfortunately, actually wound up winning a couple. In any case, there are some interesting items on eBay this weekend, so we’ll keep an eye on prices. Here are some of the ones we’re watching:
Phil Woods, Woodlore, Prestige 7018. I had a vigorous internal debate about putting this one on Jazz Collector, since I wouldn’t mind it myself. It’s an original New York pressing and it’s in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The seller is quite reliable, from my experience. This one closes tomorrow and is still less than $40. As for my vigorous internal debate, obviously here it is on the site. I decided to not show the picture. Small compromise, no?
This seller has a whole batch of items, including: The Dual Role of Bob Brookmeyer, Prestige 7066. This is an original New York yellow label pressing and the item is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It closes in two days, the start price is $99 and so far there are no bidders. Check out the seller’s other items as well. There are a few in this category, starting price of about $100 and no bids.
Here’s another nice one:
Tags: Bob Brookmeyer, Jazz Records, Jazz Vinyl, John Coltrane, Phil Woods
Jazz Vinyl Price Guide: Wallington, PC, 10-Inch King
May 20, 2010 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
Here’s one we missed for the $1,000 bin: Paul Chambers, Bass on Top, Blue Note 1569. This was an original pressing. The vinyl was in M- condition and the cover was VG++. The price was $1,036.
This is a nice New Jazz LP with Phil Woods and Donald Byrd: George Wallington, New York Scene, New Jazz 8207. This was an original pressing with the purple labels and the deep groove. The vinyl was in M- condition and the cover was VG++. The price was $565.55. I remember walking into a local store and seeing this record for three bucks about 15 years ago. Needless to say, it didn’t last long in the store and is still sitting on my shelf at home.
Here’s another original Blue Note: Herbie Nichols Trio, Blue Note 1519. This one looked to be in M- condition for the vinyl and VG+ for the cover. It had the Lexington Avenue address, flat edges and
Tags: Bill Jennings, George Wallington, Herbie Nichols, Jazz Vinyl Price Guide, King Records, Leo Parker, New Jazz Records, Paul Chambers
Jazz Vinyl, Blue Note, A Lovely Way To Start the Day
May 19, 2010 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
This seller has a couple of nice 10-inch Blue Notes closing soon: Lou Donaldson, New Faces, New Sounds, Blue Note 5021. This is listed as VG++ for the vinyl and VG++ for the cover. The current price is about $230. Also: Fats Navarro Memorial Album, Blue Note 5004. This is also in VG++ condition for the record and the cover. The price is about $160. As I type this both of these have a few hours before they close.
We’ve also been watching a few other nice Blue Notes that closed in the past couple of days, including. Dexter Gordon, Our Man in Paris, Blue Note 4146. This was a New York USA pressing with the deep grooves on both sides. The cover and vinyl appeared to be in VG++ condition and the sales price was $349.
Lee Morgan, Lee Way, Blue Note 4034. This was an original pressing that was listed in VG++ condition for the vinyl and similar condition for the cover, although
Tags: Dexter Gordon, Fats Navarro, Jackie McLean, Lee Morgan, Lou Donaldson, Paul Chambers
‘Tis Better To Have Bid And Lost . . .
May 18, 2010 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran, Prestige
These records all have one thing in common: I bid on them and lost:
I thought I could sneak this one in because the picture accompanying the listing wasn’t clear and perhaps that would turn people off: Alto Madness, Prestige 7114. This features John Jenkins and Jackie McLean and I do not own an original copy. It was not getting a lot of action and I threw in a bit of about $130. Not even close. In the end there were 13 bids and the winning bid was $405.
Louis Smith, Smithville, Blue Note 1594. I mentioned this one yesterday and posted the picture. For some reason, this record was not getting much action. With several hours to go before it closed it was in the $100 range. I thought perhaps the listing wasn’t clear as far as the condition and there was something in the listing about price guides and $100. Anyway, there was light action, so I used by BidNip sniping service — if you bid on eBay you really should be using one of this — and put in a bid of about $360. Well it sold for $811, so I wasn’t even in the game.
I tried to sneak this one in at about $20: Frank Rosolino, I Play Trombone, Bethlehem 26. The vinyl was only VG, but it had a nice cover and the seller didn’t mention the presence of Sonny Clark
Tags: Frank Rosolino, Jackie McLean, John Jenkins, Louis Smith, Sonny Clark, Stan Getz, Thad Jones
And A Bunch More Blue Notes & Prestiges
May 17, 2010 Blue Note, Prestige
While I’m cleaning my eBay queue and updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide, here are a few more Blue Notes and Prestiges for your perusal. No links here and also the prices have been rounded. Some good stuff:
Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This was an original West 63rd pressing in VG+ condition for the record and the cover. The price was $589.
Lee Morgan, City Lights, Blue Note 1575. This was an original pressing. The record and cover looked to be in VG++ condition. The price was $1,058.
Sonny Rollins, Movin’ Out, Prestige 7058. This was an original New York yellow label. The record was in VG++ condition and the cover was VG++ as well. The price was $283.
Tina Brooks, True Blue, Blue Note 4041. This was an original pressing in VG+ condition for
Tags: Barbara Lea, Duke Pearson, Jackie McLean, Lee Morgan, Louis Smith, Moondog, Sonny Clark, Sonny Rollins, Tina Brooks
Catching Up: More Blue Notes & Prestiges
May 17, 2010 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
We’re updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide, and here are some odds and ends we’ve been watching:
Here’s a Blue Note you don’t see too often: Harold Vick, Steppin’ Out, Blue Note 4138. This was an original New York USA pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $373.
Someone on the Reader Forum was looking for Booker Ervin records. Could you go wrong with this one? Booker Ervin, Groovin’ High, Prestige 7417. There wasn’t much description in the listing, but there was just one bidder and the price was $9.99. This won’t make the price guide, but it probably made one collector quite happy.
The price on this also seemed a bit low: Lee Konitz, Prestige 7004. This was an original New York yellow label in VG+ condition for he record and the cover. It sold for $87.59.
Here’s a few more Blue Notes:
Tags: Baby Face Willette, Booker Ervin, Duke Jordan, Harold Vick, Jazz Vinyl, Lee Konitz, Lee Morgan
On EBay: Hank & a Pair Of Lees
May 16, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Here are the results of a jazz vinyl few items we’ve been watching on e-Bay:
Lee Morgan, Indeed!, Blue Note 1538. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing with the flat edge. The record was in VG+ condition and the cover was VG. The price was $1,247. This seller had about 300 records for auction at one time. Not sure how that works as a selling strategy. I generally tend to spread my listings out a bit more, but I can see where it makes sense to do a lot at one time. You can combine shipping costs, which always helps, and sometimes buyers figure if they’re buying a couple of records from you, the may as well bid on a few more. But it’s putting a lot of eggs in the basket of who may be active on eBay that particular week. In any case, it didn’t seem to impact the price of this Lee Morgan LP. In addition, these were from the same seller:
Tags: Hank Mobley, Jazz Vinyl, Lee Morgan
Lee, Newk, Pepper For the $1,000 Bin
May 15, 2010 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Prestige
Here are a few recent eBay sales we missed:
Lee Morgan, Volume 3, Blue Note 1557. This was an original West 63rd pressing that looked to be in VG+ condition, perhaps a little better, but not nearly mint. It sold for $1,704.
Here’s another copy of Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus, Prestige 7079. This was an original pressing in VG+ condition. It sold for $1,425.
Art Pepper, Modern Art, Intro 606. Based on the description it sounds like this record was VG+, although it was listed as VG++. The price was $1,300.
Pretty cool so far: Three records for the $1,000 bin and none of them
Tags: Art Pepper, Barney Wilen, Lee Morgan, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk
For the $1,000 Bin: Jimmy Smith, Blue Note
May 14, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note
I entered this one into the Jazz Collector Price Guide the other day and I had to give it a special call out: Jimmy Smith, A New Sound, A New Star, Blue Note 1514, Volume 2. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing with the flat edge, deep groove and all of the other markings that would guarantee that this would have been an original pressing. It was sold by a reputable seller and it was listed in M- condition and, in fact, was noted to be in “superb” condition. I cite this record because of the sales price, which was $1,074. It was quite a surprise to us to see one of the Jimmy Smith records, even an original Blue Note, in the $1,000 bin. In addition, this is a record that does not feature any of the Blue Note hornmen, so that this would be the Jimmy Smith record to break the $1,000 barrier was equally surprising. But, there it is. Just goes to show the power of original Blue Notes in today’s market.
Here’s another that came up just short of the $1,000 bin:
Tags: Jimmy Smith
Catching Up: Flanagan, Dorham & A Signed Max
May 13, 2010 $1000 Records, Autographs, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
Let’s catch up on a few more eBay sales:
This one did sell for more than $1,000. Tommy Flanagan Overseas, Prestige 7134. When we were watching it the other day it was at about $400 and we speculated it might sell for less than $1,000. It sold for $1,440 in VG+ condition for the vinyl and the cover. Perhaps that can be considered a bargain in today’s market?
The Arrival of Kenny Dorham, Jaro 5007. This was an original pressing in VG++ condition for both the vinyl and the cover. It sold for $457. We’ve never tracked this one at more than $1,000 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, but we’re pretty sure it has probably cracked the $1,000 barrier at some point. It’s a nice record and quite rare as well.
This one was autographed. Still not sure if an autograph enhances the value of a jazz record. Collectors can be quite picky about having their records untouched and pristine:
Tags: Candid Records, Jaro Records, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Jazz Vinyl, Kenny Dorham, Max Roach, Tommy Flanagan
More Big Blue Notes, More Big Prices
May 11, 2010 Blue Note
Shall we Blue Note this evening? Here are some recent sales:
This one set a new high for this LP: Joe Henderson, Page One, Blue Note 4140. This was an original pressing and it was listed in M- condition for the record and the cover. It sold for $565.58.
Another high one: Benny Green, Back on the Scene, Blue Note 1587. This was also in M- condition. It sold for $620.
Kenny Dorham, Unas Mas, Blue Note 4127. This was an original mono pressing and it was listed in VG++ condition for both the vinyl and the cover. It sold for $283.
This one just ended, as we were typing:
Tags: Benny Green, Joe Henderson, Kenny Dorham, Lou Donaldson, Thad Jones
On Ebay: Lou, Lee, Overseas
May 11, 2010 Blue Note, Prestige
Here are some items to watch on eBay:
Lou Donaldson, Wailing With Lou, Blue Note 1545. Love this record. This is an original pressing. The cover is VG- and the vinyl is somewhere between VG+ and VG++, based on the description. The current price is around $100 and it is closing today and it is quite tempting since the copy in my collection is a Japanese pressing. Somehow I have to re-convince myself that I am to be getting rid of records, not acquiring them. Speaking of which . . . I did well yesterday. I stopped in at my favorite local store, Infinity Records on Long Island, and he had there a copy of Elmo Hope Quintet, Blue Note 5044. This is a 10-inch LP featuring Frank Foster. I had this at one point and, regrettably, sold it for about $400. My copy was in excellent condition. The one in the store yesterday was VG for the record and maybe VG- for the cover. The price was
Tags: Elmo Hope, Jazz Vinyl, Jazzland Records, Joe Harriott, Lee Morgan, Lou Donaldson, Tommy Flanagan
Price Updates: Hank, Jackie, Farmer, Moody
May 9, 2010 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige, Price Guide
Just spent the morning updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide, so there are a bunch of new records we’ve been watching, including these, all of which have been mentioned before:
Hank Mobley, Mobley’s Second Message, Prestige 7082. This was an original New York pressing. The record and cover were listed in VG++ condition and the price was $482.
Another nice Prestige: Webster Young, For Lady, Prestige 7106. This was in M- condition and sold for $529.
Almost bid on this one: Freddie Redd, Shades of Redd, Blue Note 4045. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing and it was in VG++/VG++ condition. It sold for $678.
Zoot Sims, Down Home, Bethlehem 60. This was an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $435.
Jackie McLean, The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601. This was an original pressing of this very rare record. It was
Tags: Ad Lib Records, Art Farmer, Bethlehem Records, Hank Mobley, Jackie McLean, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Jazz Vinyl, New Jazz Records, WEbster Young, Zoot Sims
The Answer To The $1,000 Question
May 8, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige
That last item on $1,000 records didn’t get much response, to my surprise, but Rudolf and Robert were definitely on track thinking about looking under “Mo” in their collections. Based on our quick and unscientific perusal of the $1,000 bin within the Jazz Collector Price Guide, these were the artists that come up with the most different records:
Tags: Charlie Parker, Hank Mobley, Kenny Dorham, Lee Morgan, Sonny Clark, Sonny Rollins
The $1,000 Bin: Who’s There Most Often?
May 5, 2010 $1000 Records
We don’t claim that the Jazz Collector Price Guide is definitive. We update it when we can and we certainly miss many records, and sometimes go weeks without an update. We are still pretty much a one-man band around here. But the Price Guide is ours and we can play with it as we will. So today, with a little time between appointments, we decided to look through our $1,000 bin to see which artists had the most different records on the list. Not different instances of the same record — even if Tommy Flanagan Overseas were to appear 12 times, that would just count as one instance for Tommy Flanagan — but the most different records. There was one artist that led the pack with six records; two more had five, and three more had four. We will give you some time to guess before providing the answers. You can also do what we did which was click on the Price Guide and look it up. You may even find some things that we missed.
A Two-Piece Zoot For the $1,000 Bin
May 4, 2010 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
We decided to update the $1,000 bin and we found one that is new to us: Zoot Sims-Henri Renaud, Night Session in Paris. The label is Le Club Francais Du Disque 95 and it is a 10-inch LP. The record was in M- condition and it also came with a 12-page booklet. The price was $1,358. I’ve been collecting jazz records for 40 years and have never come across this one.
Zoot also made the $1,000 bin with this one: Jutta Hipp With Zoot Sims, Blue Note 1530. This was an original pressing with the Lexington Avenue address. It was listed in VG+ for the vinyl and VG for the cover. Despite the condition, it still sold for $1,036 and there were nearly 250 page views.
Tags: Henri Renaud, Jazz Vinyl, Jutta Hipp, Zoot Sims
Watching eBay: Jackie, Farmer & Moody
May 4, 2010 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
Here are some items worth watching on eBay:
Jackie McLean, The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601. This is the original, quite rare. The seller lists it in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The price is a little over $200 but there are a few more days to go before it closes.
This one is already more than $100 with several days to go. Perhaps it will set a new high for this LP: Art Farmer Quintet, Prestige 7017. This one appears to be in M- condition, although the seller does make it complicated in his listing. We’ve watched this record several times in the Jazz Collector Price Guide and the previous high price was $204. We’ll see if that changes.
My experience with James Moody LPs is that they sometimes don’t get the prices of other original Blue Notes and Prestiges by other artists. Anyway, this one may buck that trend:
Tags: Ad Lib Records, Art Farmer, Euclid Records, Jackie McLean, James Moody, Jazz Vinyl
Price Updates: Trane, Friedman, Blue Notes
May 3, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside
Here’s a new one for the $1,000 bin: John Coltrane, Coltrane, Prestige 7105. This was an original pressing with the New York address. It is Coltrane’s first date as a leader, but it’s still surprising to see this one pass the $1,000 mark. This one was in M- condition for the vinyl and near-M- (?) condition for the cover. The price was $1,077.65.
This one almost made the $1,000 bin: Horace Parlan, Us Three, Blue Note 4037. The record and the cover both looked to be in VG++ condition. The price was $912.
I didn’t realize this one had such cachet as a collectible: Don Friedman, Circle Waltz, Riverside 431. The vinyl was M- and the cover was VG++. The price was $255.
This one falls into the same category: When did it become a $200-range record?
Tags: Dizzy Reece, Don Friedman, Horace Parlan, Jazz Vinyl, Jazzland Records, Joe Harriott, John Coltrane, Paul Chambers
