Priced In and Out of the Market

hancockCeeDee sends me occasional links to auctions, accompanied by somewhat cryptic messages. This one was titled “boo hoo” with the additional note “I am slowly being priced out of the market, for the moment.” The LP in question: Herbie Hancock, Inventions and Dimensions, Blue Note 4147. This was probably an original pressing, with deep grooves, which I guess is acceptable for this record, based on the Fred Cohen guide. The record was in M- condition and the cover was probably VG++, with the signature of a previous owner very prominent in black marker on the back. I, for one, would not pay $605 for this record under most circumstances, and certainly not with someone else’s name etched forever on the cover in black marker. Neither, I assume, would CeeDee. But somebody would and, indeed, somebody did.

Here’s one I would have purchased for $605, and probably been quite pleased, although that would be more than I’ve ever spent on one record: Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This was an original pressing in what was described as VG++ to M- condition. My guess is it was probably M- and the seller was trying to be conservative. My $605 wouldn’t haven won the record, of course. Neither did the top bid of $1,025, which failed to meet the seller’s reserve price.

 

 

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19 comments

  • question: is n.y. address with van gelder in deadwax 1st press for herbie hancock takin off, or was there an ear press, thanks

  • is ny address with van gelder in deadwax 1st press for h hancock takin off? thanks

  • I took a chance on the same Herbie record a couple of years ago for $35. The cover was pristine but the record was listed as significantly warped and unplayable. The seller was unfortunately correct. I actually sent the record away to have it flattened on a high-tech de-warper but to no avail.

    Anyone have a record only that plays?

  • I’ve had this record in NM stereo edition for years. Sold it for a good amount of money. No regret, i bought a mono Empyrean Isles with the money…:-)

  • This Herbie is my least favorite of the Blue Notes, I do have a VG mono copy like this that sounds decent enough, but the cover is double split and marked up. I paid less than 10 bucks for it.

  • I would love to own a mono copy of 4147 in at least VG+ condition (very difficult to find)… I was watching this one and was ready to place a 250$ bid – obviously far away from the winning bid…

  • Hi DaveS,

    I’m looking for a nice Herbie Inventions & Dimensions 4147 cover only. Would you be interested in selling it to me?

    Stu

  • For Inventions & Dimensions, in Fred’s list it says deep groove side 1 only. I once had to make a few quick photos of the label and dead wax (so I didn’t include the cover, will do that later) of my copy. You can see them HERE, including close-ups of the Plastylite ‘ear’. 😉

    One thing that apparently nobody ever notices/noticed: Osvaldo Martinez’s nick name is incorrectly used on Invetions & Dimensions. On the front- and back cover, it says Osvaldo “Chihuahau” Martinez, but that’s wrong. The correct spelling is: Osvaldo “Chihuahua” Martinez. Of course, later on for the CD release, this typo had gone 😉

  • Hey Mattyman-Re:”Chihuahua”-I think when that’s your nickname you’ve already got issues,but that’s just me!Fortunately for us,he played more like a “bulldog” throughout. BTW,those who might not appreciate this Hancock session-or who have yet to hear it-should play ‘Mimosa”. It is one of the most beautiful ballads ever recorded by HH,with chordal playing to die for. The percussion fits like a glove..and swings,too!

  • yes Mattyman, “Chihuahau” on 4147, “bob CrEnshaw” on 4153 (corrected on later press) and Sidewinder (never corrected)…

  • @ceedee and @michel, indeed. And then I didn’t even notice my own typo, writing “Iventions…” instead of “Inventions…” 😀

    And I agree with you, Ceedee. I, for one, think this is a great session and “Mimosa” absolutely is a gem.

  • One of Hancocks finest moments and Mimosa is indeed sublime

  • so many nice comments on Mimosa which I never heard that I decided to listen on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cvPs9kTQj4
    Hancock’s playing undoubtedly beautiful, but Martinez’ bongos were so loud as to me to be annoyingly obscuring – is this just the YouTube mix or is it this way on the original?

  • Hello Earl, the youtube link you use only plays 17 seconds for me and then stops.

    I recommend you watch (and listen to) THIS youtube video (make sure you click on the little gear wheel shaped button to watch at 1080p HD for best audio).

    It’s in stereo, granted, but here Chihuahua’s bongo’s -in the left channel- in my opinion aren’t overwhelming at all. He’s just subtly ticking away, creating a lovely late night atmosphere as if you sit on the porch at sundown, enjoying your fifth large Tequila Sunrise 😀

  • FIFTH LARGE?? wouldn’t matter if you were listening to Montovani

    anyhow, I turned the left channel down a bit and it is considerably better – will probably get the CD

  • i drink five large Tequila Sunrises and imagin’ always that david sandborn sounds exactly like john coltrane… love that Tequila!! 😉

  • Indeed guys 😀 And after your sixth glass, The Champs magically walk in, performing their classic “Tequila” just for you – of course with Danny Flores playing his grinding sax solo…

  • Richard Connerton

    1. This copy is NOT deep groove on both sides (sorry Al but this is not the first time I have seen you call a non-deep groove a deep groove; the seller actually said it was a deep groove on one side only as well…?)
    .
    2. Also, Al, based on the evidence out there, I really think it’s time to stop inferring that NY USA pressings with deep grooves are first pressings. Based on the evidence out there, deep groove NY USA pressings *may* be originals but there is absolutely no way of us knowing, and because of the mounting evidence of review copies *without* deep grooves, I for one am led to believe that the reality is actually the opposite. Cohen’s guide documents the existence of these copies but not without a preface explaining that there is no way to really know if these copies are originals.

  • Hello Richard, I know what Fred says about certain deep groove NY USA pressings that *may* be first pressings, but hey, mine follows the description in Fred’s book, so I’d love to believe that it *therefore* is a genuine first. Don’t shatter my dream 🙂

    My original comment on this can be found HERE with a nice link to (deep groove on one side) label close ups and dead wax shots 😉

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