Jazz Vinyl on eBay: Some Blue Notes & A Nice Norgran
I logged onto eBay last night, found a number of interesting records to watch and, with great pride, was able to go to sleep without slipping into the temptation of placing any snipe bids. Progress, right? Anyway, here is some of the jazz vinyl we were watching that closed yesterday:
John Jenkins, welcome to the $1,000 bin: John Jenkins and Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573. This was an original deep groove West 63rd Street pressing and it was in M- condition for the record and VG for the cover. It was a reputable seller, there were 11 bids and more than 450 page views and the price was $1,136.55. Not bad in a soft market if, indeed, this can be called a soft market.
Actually, perhaps in retrospect I should have put in a snipe for this one: Sonny Red, Out of the Blue, Blue Note 4034. This was an original pressing in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. Quite a fair price, depending, of course, on what VG+ means to the buyer and seller. As we’ve learned long ago, VG+ is in the eye of the beholder. I had this record once upon a time but traded it away in a lopsided trade that favored the other guy. Not sure what I was thinking at the time, but I’m more knowledgeable now. So this is one that got away. Getting it back for $283 or so, which is what this one sold for, would be quite a coup in my eyes.
I’ve always had an affinity for this great David Stone Martin cover: Lester Young, The President Plays with the Oscar Peterson Trio, Norgran 1054. This was an original yellow label pressing and the record was M-, the cover was probably M- and the price was $242.50. It’s nice to see some of the Norgrans holding up in value. I’m a fan.
Here’s one that did not sell: George Wallington Showcase, Blue Note 5045. This was an original 10-inch pressing and it was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It features some nice players: Frank Foster and Dave Burns, plus Kenny Clarke and Oscar Pettiford in the rhythm section. This one got a top bid of $203.75, but did not meet the seller’s reserve price. Our top price for this in the Jazz Collector’s Price Guide is $300, so it wasn’t that far off, but I can see where the seller would have wanted more for an original Blue Note in M- condition.
Sadly, my copy of 1573 is, and seems likely to remain for some time, on “Division of United Artists” labels. I can vouch for it being a great record. Perhaps it’s time to start looking for a Japanese pressing. (Sigh)
LC, I have a Toshiba pressing of 1573 I got maybe 10+ years ago and a Classic Records pressing I got 5 years ago. The Classic pressing is substantially better on the mastering end in my opionion. There is much more meat to it in the bass and midrange. On the Toshiba pressing I get no feel for Paul Chambers playing. I don’t think there would be much difference in the price on ebay between these two pressings. I don’t have an original so can’t compare that.
This is my favorite Kenny Burrell on Blue Note record. I’m not a huge fan of Kenny in general but definately dig 1573.
RE: 1573 Well, I’ve expressed my ATOMIC feelings in older post. if ATOMIC said M- then it’s probably more like a nice VG+. Everthing I’ve bought on line from them leans to steve’s grading side. I prefer going there and buying from the bins so I can see what I’m buying. Online you’ll get a nice record but it’s generally not going to tip the scales to your side on the grading.
A few years ago I did buy an org 1573 from an “emporium” of “rare” records in Chicago. Listed it VG+ to ++ but, like 75% of everything I buy on ebay, was overgraded : ( I want to say I gave $400 clams for it. Seller did refund me some clammage back and I did sell the record for a small gain (it was still a real nice VG and YES I do sell records. Properly graded records I might add!) I wish I could keep those old originals! I do feel very lucky and grateful for having a few days sit with a great lp of that stature. It is a nice session! I have the hoffman/gray acoustech press now(replaced a UA press.) It’s nice but the org mono sounded better in general. We all know that! I do have/kept some nice org!