High Priced Vinyl, Mobley Update, WFMU Record Fair, An Offer You Can’t Refuse (At Least, I Can’t)

Whilst I was offline I missed a record that ended up in the $3,000 bin: Don Rendell Ian Carr Quintet, Shades of Blue, Columbia, 33SX 17333. This was an original 1965 UK pressing that was probably in VG++ or M- condition. The final price was $3,024.98. I only know of this record from watching it on eBay all these years. Is the music that good, or is there something else that is so appealing about this record that it would command such a high price?

One of our readers sent me a link to this record, noting that the price seems to be rising: Phil Woods, Warm Woods, Epic 3436. This copy was in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $605.55. Doesn’t seem that out of line for this record. If you look on Popsike, there are copies that have sold for higher prices, although probably in better condition. That’s one of the things that I’m noticing — for many of these classic records, condition is less of an issue than it used to be. Can’t help wondering if that is because people are collecting them to own them as opposed to listening to them.

Same reader sent me this link as well: Freddie Hubbard, Open Sesame, Blue Note 4040. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing listed in VG++ condition for the record and excellent condition for the cover. The final price was $2,026.

And to follow up on a couple of other items:

That copy of Hank Mobley Blue Note 1568 from the Jazz Record Center is now at $3,927 with more than three days left on the auction. Seems pretty clear that my guess will come up short. I will have to close the contest by end of day today, just to be fair to everyone. If anyone would like to adjust their guess, I am OK with that, but it has to be done by midnight my time (New York) today. I really do intend to give a prize, probably a book or a record, but nothing too rare or valuable.

Speaking of rare and valuable collectibles, there may be an opportunity to pick something up in Brooklyn today, where the 2017 WFMU Record Fair begins. I will not be there with a booth, having sold all of my duplicates at the fair two years ago (See You in Brooklyn? Not Anymore). If I could, I would go to early admission today, but I have work deadlines. If you don’t get there early, many of the best collectibles tend to be sold. In my experience, dealers come in from all over the world, spend the money for a table so that they can gain admission as the sellers are coming in, and anything decent at a decent price gets scooped up before the general public gets in. But it’s still fun. I would go tomorrow but I am doing something even cooler: As part of the Tribeca Film Festival there is a showing of The Godfather and The Godfather Part II at Radio City Music Hall followed by a panel discussion featuring Francis Ford Coppola, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire and Robert DeNiro. Pretty cool, huh? Perhaps I will go to the WFMU Record Fair on Sunday to look at the scraps and leftovers.

 

 

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25 comments

  • My guess for 1568 is $5,875

  • Watch a crazy overseas bidder drive 1568 up over $6000

  • Ok I’ll say $7400 for the Mobley.

  • Gregory the Fish

    I’m sticking with my original guess of $6,000 for the 1568.

    I hardly think a VG++ record and VG+ cover would constitute anything but stellar sound quality, so the buyer of the Phil Woods is probably not too different from the rest of us. I buy to listen, and if the record plays through with no distractions, I am happy. I bet I would be very pleased with that Phil Woods, as would most of the rest of us.

    I actually think collectors who only accept NM records and return records with a non-sounding sleeve scuff are the ones buying to show off and invest. Because the difference in my experience between a proper NM and a proper VG++ is almost entirely visual. But that’s just my own opinion based on observation. There is probably plenty of wiggle room in both directions.

    Also, I thought about going to WFMU this year but this will be the second time in a row I haven’t gone. The commute is a pain in the butt from Delaware and I can find as much gold around these parts. I usually don’t buy top-of-the-line collectibles at market prices, so WFMU, while fun, is really just another shopping trip for me.

  • Wow and here I was thinking i could pick up Open Sesame at a “reasonable” price.

  • My guess for the Mobley LP would be $6,300.

  • Re the Rendell / Carr – one could ask if the music on 1568 is that good, or the Jutta Hipp record, or any silly-priced record.

    It’s likely not $3000 good, but what record is?

  • Put me down for $5400 for the Mobley.

  • I said above $6,000…but you can count me as $6,000

  • I’ve sold a couple copies of “Warm Woods” in the past year or two. One was standard VG+ and one was a VG- white label promo. I recall they got around $300 each. It’s a pretty scarce title, and it is Phil, and the music is actually pretty swinging despite the title and super cheesy cover, but because of that cover, and the fact that it’s on Epic it is a bit surprising that it’s become a higher-ticket item.

  • I’ll put my hat in the ring for 1568 closing at $5681.

  • …and i’m sticking with $4,600 on the Mobley.

  • Abrasive_Beautiful

    $6250 Bob ! (I mean Al !)

    I was surprised on that Phil Woods auction but that’s just the way things are going I guess. That seller actually had a couple other Epics go for over the $200 mark. Was watching a lot of nice stuff.

  • I’m guessing $5555.55 for the Mobley. Just seems nice and easy

  • Cool, I’ll play the Mobley game. $6,151!

  • I think it will stall at $5219…

  • How about $15680

  • Ok, my adjusted guess for the Mobley would be $5117.33.

  • Not sure where to post this question so hijacking this comment section, sorry! Any inputs on this Coltrane auction on eBay? Always wanted to own one…

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/232317046466?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

  • @Joe – there are two factors that lead me to believe that this Coltrane LP is original, but unlikely to me among the “first” copies of Blue Train pressed. First, despite what the title of the listing says, the text “New York 23” does not appear on either side 1 or side 2 of the labels. Second, the jacket is not the earliest jacket with the green-ish tint. There may be some debate if this copy for sale also had the green tint jacket because there is no evidence that the “New York 23” labels were used exclusively during the first pressing run, but without the green tint jacket and New York 23, I’d argue this is an early, but not “first” pressing. Just my thoughts based upon owning several original copies of this LP over the years.
    Jim

  • @Jrock1675- thank you; you are right. I was doing some reading after I posted this and it appears this may be a “re-pressing” within a year or 2 of the original. I understand these sound as good (or better if you believe Steve Hoffman). Not sure of the price point though.

  • I guess GST is the winner on the Mobley bet! Closed at $4,619…

  • Clifford Allen

    $4,619 seems reasonable for a 1568 Mobley without the NY 23. North of $5,000 for that record given its not-all-that-rarity is pretty absurd if you ask me.

  • Terryfromflorida

    The final price on the Mobley 1568 was less than one would have expected for this lp in “new” condition. It has sold for 1k over this price a couple times recently (for lp’s in lesser condition). I’m convinced several factors were at play. The obvious factors to the lower price were 1) Lack of concise Goldmine grading, 2) Lack of good photos, 3) Lack of good descriptors in the title.
    If this lp was truly in “new” condition, the buyer made a good purchase, crazy as that may seem at this price point…

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