Kind of Blue For the $1,000 Bin
Jan 31, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
A couple of people have sent me notes on this one. I guess it struck a chord (presumably a modal chord): Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, Columbia 8163. This was a white label stereo promo copy that was in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It was the same seller as the one who recently fetched more than $2,000 for the Mobley 10-inch Blue Note. This one sold for $1,338.87. Welcome to the $1,000 bin for probably the most popular and widely available jazz record ever.
While we’re updating the $1,000 bin:
Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550. This was an original pressing. The record was listed in VG++ condition and the cover was in between VG+ and VG++. It was a reputable seller and the price was $1,815.
This is destined for the $1,000 bin, or the $2,000 bin or perhaps even higher: Tina Brooks, True Blue, Blue Note 4041. This is an original pressing and it is listed in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. As of this writing it is about $1,250 with three days or so to go.
Tags: Columbia Records, Hank Mobley, Kind of Blue, Miles Davis, Tina Brooks
More Updates For the Jazz Collector Price Guide
Jan 30, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide, Riverside
I’ve been spending time this weekend updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide and realized there are a bunch more interesting items we’ve mentioned here but haven’t followed up, so here are a few of them:
George Wallington, Jazz For the Carriage Trade, Prestige 7032. This was an original New York pressing with a record in M- condition and a nice shiny cover in VG++ condition. It sold for $395.
Sonny Criss Plays Cole Porter, Imperial 9024. This looked to be an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $350.99.
Lou Donaldson, Swing and Soul, Blue Note 1566. This was one of the recent records sold by the Jazz Record Center. It was in M- condition for both the record and the cover and it sold for $544.44.
From that same auction were these:
The Wes Montgomery Trio, Riverside 310. This was an original pressing in M- condition and sold for $305, the highest price we’ve seen for this record.
Tags: Dexter Gordon, George Wallington, Imperial Records, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Kenny Drew, Lou Donaldson, Sonny Clark, Sonny Criss, Wes Montgomery
Updating Some Later Pre-Liberty Blue Notes
Jan 29, 2011 Blue Note
Here are some “later” Blue Notes we’ve been watching.
Larry Young, Unity, Blue Note 4221. This was an original New York USA pressing with the ear and the Van Gelder stamp. It was in M- condition for the record and probably VG++ for the cover. It sold for $231.38.
Pete La Roca, Basra, Blue Note 4205. This is also an original New York USA pressing with the ear and the Van Gelder stamp. It is still in its original shrink wrap and in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The price was a whopping $494.99, quite a bit higher than the $1.59 Special on the shrink wrap. The way things are going, someday records such as these will be destined for the $1,000 bin, no?
This listing is lacking in information: Grachan Moncur III, Some Other Stuff, Blue Note 84177. This is a stereo pressing, which would seem to diminish the interest and value right off the bat. However, the seller doesn’t mention whether there is an ear or Van Gelder stamp in the deadwax. It is a New York USA pressing. It sold for $61 in what looked to be VG+ condition. Have to believe if buyers knew it was an original it would sell for more: Then again, if it’s not original, would it have sold for this much?
This is another stereo pressing without full information:
Tags: Andrew Hill, George Braith, Grachan Moncur, Larry Young, Pete Ra Roca, Sam Rivers Jazz Vinyl
Jazz Vinyl Catch-Up: Two For the $2,000 Bin
Jan 28, 2011 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
Let’s catch up on some of the jazz vinyl we’ve been watching.
As some of you have noted, this one did sell after all: Hank Mobley Quartet, Blue Note 5066. This was the one that had the start price near $2,000 and was in M- condition for the record and cover. So, welcome to the $2,000 bin: It sold for $2,050.
Also in the $2,000 in is this from the Jazz Record Center: Art Pepper, Modern Art, Intro 606. This was also in M- condition for the record and the cover and it sold for $2,025.
How about the Sonny Rollins with the cover on the side: Sonny Rollins, Blue Note 1542. This was a Lexington Avenue pressing with the flat edge. We’re assuming that when the seller took the picture, he turned the cover around to show the name clearly and the opening is really by the yellow, where it belongs. We’re also assuming the winning bidder is assuming the same thing, since the price was $766.
Tags: Art Pepper, Hank Mobley, Intro Records, Jazz Vinyl, Sonny Rollins, Thad Jones
Watching eBay: Wes, Sonny Clark, Dex & More
Jan 27, 2011 Blue Note, Riverside
Here is some interesting jazz vinyl we’re watching on eBay:
The latest auction from the Jazz Record Center is closing today, with some interesting items, such as: The Wes Montgomery Trio, Riverside 310. This is an original pressing in near mint condition for both the record and the cover. We haven’t seen this record sell for high prices very often, but this one will: It is already close to $175. Sonny Clark, Leapin’ and Lopin’, Blue Note 4091. This is an original pressing with the New York USA labels. It is in M- condition and is priced at more than $300 with a few hours to go. Did you see the Sonny Clark articles referred to by Mike in the Reader Forum? They are terrific. Go to the Reader Forum for the links. Here’s one more: Dexter Gordon, One Flight Up, Blue Note 4176. This is also an original pressing in beautiful condition. It is currently in the $180 price range.
Tags: Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Jazz Record Center, Sonny Clark, Thad Jones, Wes Montgomery
Jazz Collector Back In Business (Sort Of)
Jan 26, 2011 Autographs, Blue Note, For Sale
There was a time, as many of you know, when I was selling records regularly on eBay to clear out duplicates and winnow down my collection. I was selling so regularly, in fact, that I became both a Power Seller and a “Top-Rated Seller” on eBay under my “nom de ebay” AJdoctor. Nearly a year ago, however, I stopped. I had started a new business – a real one, a one that actually pays the bills – and it started taking off last March, which is when I stopped posting records on eBay. And once I stopped it was hard to get started again. In the meantime, however, I, of course, kept accumulating records. I purchased a collection this summer of mostly traditional records and I purchased another small collection just a few weeks ago, with a bunch of Blue Notes of mostly later vintage. The point is, I still have many, many more records than I either need or have room for, so, as of yesterday, I am back to posting records on eBay. I started with a couple of Blue Notes and even put up some interesting blues records that I purchased in the collection this summer. Here are a couple of samples:
Tags: Dexter Gordon, Perry Bradford
Jazz Vinyl On eBay: What May or May Not Sell
Jan 25, 2011 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Prestige
Here’s some jazz vinyl we’re watching on eBay for various and sundry reasons:
George Wallington, Jazz for the Carriage Trade, Prestige 7032. This is an original New York pressing that looks to be in extremely nice condition. The record is graded M- and the cover is VG++. I haven’t often seen this record witht he front cover looking so clean. This one is priced at about $180 with nearly three more days to go.
Sonny Criss Plays Cole Porter, Imperial 9024. This looks to be an original deep groove pressing in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. This is also in the $180 price range with less than a day to go.
This one has yet to meet the seller’s reserve price: Pete La Roca, Basra, Blue Note 4205. This is an original New York USA pressing with the ear and it is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover, still in its original shrink wrap. This is just in the $100 range at this point and it will be interesting to see if it catches up to the seller’s reserve.
Tags: Cole Porter, George Wallington, Hank Mobley, Imperial Records, Pete La Roca, Sonny Criss, Sonny Rollins
Some Weird Happenings in The $1,000 Bin
Jan 24, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
I was looking to update the $1,000 bin and came upon this weird item that was mentioned in the Reader Forum: Jutta Hipp With Zoot Sims, Blue Note 1530. This was mentioned as an original Lexington Avenue pressing and it sold for $1,925, even though there was no picture of the label and the description of the record was minimal, without even a clear explanation of the condition. How the bidding got to $1,925 on this is hard to believe, except for those of us who watch eBay regularly and know full well that anything is possible. As one of our reader’s discovered, this is actually a United Artists pressing, which means it’s worth maybe $30, depending upon the condition. The seller has only 96 feedbacks, so let’s hope this is an honest mistake and not a scam.
This one looks more legitimate, but a little weird as well: Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1668. This one was listed in VG+ condition for the record and VG/VG+ for the cover, although there was a lot of tape damage in the picture and there was also a name written broadly on the label. It sold for $1,900, which is hard to fathom given the pictures of the cover and the label.
This one is definitely legitimate, and quite lovely:
Tags: Freddie Redd, Hank Mobley, Jutta Hipp, Sonny Clark, Zoot Sims
Jazz Vinyl From The Jazz Record Center
Jan 21, 2011 Blue Note, Prestige
The folks at Jazz Record Center have a new eBay auction up now. It’s always interesting to watch their stuff because their strong brand name ensures top market value. Here are a few of the records we’ll be watching from this auction:
Art Pepper, Modern Art, Intro 606. This is an original deep groove pressing that is in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It has a start price of $750 and already has a bidder, so you can expect that this one may be headed for the $1,000 bin.
Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers, Blue Note 1518. This is a West 63rd Street pressing, whereas the original first pressing would have been Lexington Avenue. I’m curious about this second press Blue Notes, which many of our readers think of as originals, because their prices have gone up quite a bit recently. I just bought a West 63rd copy of the first Miles Davis Blue Note, which I’ll be selling at some point, either on eBay or from my basement. This one is in “near-new” condition and already has a bidder at $100.
I’ve always liked this record and I do, fortunately, have an original pressing: Lou Donaldson, Swing and Soul, Blue Note 1566. This one is also in very nice M- condition and has a bidder at a $350 start price.
Tags: Art Pepper, Horace Silver, Intro Records, James Moody, Jazz Record Center, Kenny Drew, Lou Donaldson
Jazz Vinyl on eBay: Mobley, Clark, Trane, Pres, Chet
Jan 19, 2011 Blue Note, Impulse, Norgran
Another day, another couple of thousand jazz records on eBay. Here are some of the ones we’re watching:
Hank Mobley, No Room For Squares, Blue Note 4149. This looks to be an original pressing, with the New York USA label and the ear, and it is listed in M- condition for the record and what looks to be VG++ for the cover. You may recall that a recent copy of this record sold for $1,009. I’m sure the seller here, Atomic Records, noticed as well. This one is currently in the $130 range but has yet to meet the seller’s reserve price.
Sonny Clark, Dial S For Sonny, Blue Note 1570. This is an original pressing with the West 63rd label, deep groove, etc., and it is listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The current price is around $425 and there is still one day left on the auction.
This one doesn’t usually go for a big price, but it is in nice condition and it is a promo copy (it’s also a fantastic record, musically): John Coltrane, Live at Birdland, Impulse 50. This has the white promo label and is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It has one bid, but the price is $198.
Tags: Birdland, Chet Baker, Hank Mobley, John Coltrane, Lester Young, Oscar Peterson, Pacific Jazz Records, Sonny Clark
Catching Up on Some Odds & Ends
Jan 18, 2011 Boxed Sets, Clef, Riverside
Here are some non-Blue Note odds and ends we’ve been watching:
Blue Mitchell, Blue Soul, Riverside 309. This was one of the ones from the recent bobdjukic auction. It was listed in VG++ condition for both the vinyl and the cover and it looked to be an original deep groove, blue label pressing. It sold for $275. One of the reasons I was watching this is that I just bought another small collection and a nice original mint copy of this record was in the batch. There were also a few original Blue Notes so, if I ever get back to selling records on eBay, I’ll have some nice items to start with . . . . or if I have Jazz Collector readers come to the house, as previously proposed.
Harry Carney With Strings, Clef 640. This looked to be an original pressing, although there was no picture of the label, with a beautiful cover illustration by David Stone Martin. It was listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover and sold for $110.50. You have to wonder how much longer there will be a market for Harry Carney LPs. Case in point: The Astaire Story. This was the original Mercury boxed set in beautiful condition, signed by Astaire, with the Stone Martin illustrations and the exclusive photos. In M- condition, this would have sold for somewhere in the range of $2,000 just a few years ago. Now, the seller had a start price of $800 and there were no bidders.
Tags: Bill Perkins, Blue Mitchell, Bob Brookmeyer, Fred Astaire, Harry Carney, Jazz Vinyl, Pacific Jazz Records, Storyville Records, Zoot Sims
Watching Some New Jazz Vinyl
Jan 14, 2011 Prestige
Can you stand a day without Blue Note? Let’s look at some Prestige jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay (actually, it’s all New Jazz):
This was part of the recent batch sold by our old friend bobdjukic: Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225. This was an original pressing. It was listed in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover, but from the pictures it was clear that the cover was not anywhere close to VG++ condition. Perhaps that affected the bidding, because this sold for the surprisingly low price of $740. If potential buyers were confident that the condition of the vinyl and cover were really VG++, it would presumably have sold for quite a bit more. The last one we had in the Jazz Collector Price Guide in VG++/VG++ condition sold for $1,225.
This one looked to be in beautiful condition and the price certainly reflected it: Eric Dolphy at the Five Spot, New Jazz 8260. This was an original purple label pressing with the deep grooves, which were not described by the seller but were apparent if you blew up the pictures. It was in M- condition all the way around and sold for $687.
This one got a nice top bid, but failed to meet the seller’s reserve:
Tags: Eric Dolphy, Jackie McLean, Jazz Vinyl, Kenny Dorham, New Jazz Records
Shades of Blue Note
Jan 13, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
We’ll continue to keep an eye on Blue Note today. Here are some recent sales of Blue Note jazz vinyl:
Freddie Redd, Shades of Redd, Blue Note 4045. This was an original deep groove pressing that looked to be in beautiful M- condition. I’ve always wanted an original copy of these record, since it is a personal favorite and I’ve only owned a Japanese pressing for many years. One day I’m sure I’ll find an original at a price I would be comfortable paying, which was not this copy, which sold for $1,282 from my friends at Music Matters in California.
Curtis Fuller, Bone & Bari, Blue Note 1572. This was also an original pressing from a reliable dealer. The record was in what looked to be VG++ condition, while the cover was listed as being “in very good shape” which sounds better than VG and, from the pictures, also seemed to look better than VG. If I were bidding, based on the description, I’d be disappointed if the record wasn’t around VG++, which is probably what the winning bidder assumed as well, since the record sold for $710.
Tags: Curtis Fuller, Freddie Redd, Hank Mobley, Kenny Burrell, Lee Morgan
Guest Column: Reviewing The Blue Note Guide
Jan 5, 2011 Blue Note, Guest Columns
Mike Falcon has promised a review of the new Fred Cohen book, and here it is:
Blue Note Records A Guide to Indentifying Original Pressings
A Review By Mike Falcon
For as long as I have been collecting Blue Notes there has been a large chorus asking for a complete guide to navigate the complexities of what constitutes a first pressing. And now they have it. Frederick Cohen has given us “Blue Note Records, A Guide to Identifying Original Pressings” an authoritative manual on the Blue Note discography. This includes the EPs, 10” LPs, and all of the pre-Liberty LPs in both Mono and Stereo.
I first went to the Jazz Record Center in 2002. I had never seen a record store like it. Everywhere I looked was something interesting and new to me. I spent a long while thumbing through records looking at the photos and memorabilia on the wall, and thinking that if I ever win the Lotto I’ll be back here first. I’ve never won the lotto but I’ve been back a few times, always with less money than I would have liked. I had spoken to Fred a few times and was always impressed by how informative he was. I would think, “This guy should write a book”. Well he has.
“Blue Note Records, A Guide to Identifying Original Pressings” is a nicely bound 6 ½” x 9 ½” inch black book with the Blue Train label with red arrows pointing to the various identifying features on the cover. It’s written more like a compendium or research paper and is not in the narrative form. It starts with an introduction, preface, and acknowledgements, before getting to the list of illustrations and glossary. The glossary and illustrations are necessary to understand what you are reading when sorting through the pressing guide. The illustrations show what is meant by all of the famous Blue Note esotery. This includes examples of the famous
Tags: Fred Cohen, Jazz Record Center
Ringing in the New Year With Blue Note (Of Course)
Jan 1, 2011 Blue Note
Here are a few more recent Blue Note auctions of interest:
Horace Silver, Blowing the Blues Away, Blue Note 4017. This was an original pressing with the ear, deep grooves, et al. It was in M- condition for both the record and the cover and it sold for $165.50. This is a more common pressing than some of the other Blue Notes and has traditionally, not gotten a top price. Earlier this week we saw another copy sell for more than $200. I think what we’re seeing is that the overall market for Blue Notes is just rising, so even though this one is now $100 or $200 or more, it is still not as costly to purchase as other Blue Notes of the same period and ilk. It’s also a fantastic record, isn’t it? This was a record I heard all the time growing up: My father was a huge Horace Silver fan and Sister Sadie was a particular favorite.
Ike Quebec, It Might as Well be Spring, Blue Note 4105. This was an original New York USA pressing with the ear, Van Gelder stamp, etc. It was in M- condition for the record and the cover. It sold for $305.
Tags: Horace Silver, Ike Quebec, Jackie McLean
