Tracking Jazz Vinyl From The Jazz Record Center
Sorry to be so inconsistent with my posting schedule. Lots of real work, the paying-the-bills kind, these days. Anyway, back on eBay and I see there’s a new auction from the Jazz Record Center with some choice items, including:
Bill Evans Trio, Explorations, Riverside 351. This is an original blue label pressing in what looks to be M- condition for the record and “extraordinary” condition for the cover. The pricing on this one starts at $200, there is already a bidder and the auction closes in four days.
Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550. This is also an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The start price is $1,500 and, as yet, there are no bidders.
This one seems headed for the $1,000 bin: Jackie McLean, Lights Out, Prestige 7035. This is an original pressing in “virtually new” condition, M- for both the record and the cover. The bidding is already in the $700 range and there have already been eight bids.
One more: The Unique Thelonious Monk, Riverside 209. This is an original pressing with the white label. It is also in “near new” M- condition for the record and the cover. The price is now in the $425 range.
Interesting, I have the Mobley, Mclean, and Monk original pressings too so it will be fun to see what they do. I didn’t realize the level of interest in Lights Out.
Scott
Fred Cohen always has these super collectibles in perfect condition. I always wonder how he obtains these ‘perhaps played once’ copies 😉
I never get too excited about these JRC auctions. Super high end collectible a going for a super high premium. Doesn’t seem representative of the market as a whole. Just rich people throwing money around.. Yawn.
For the jazz-collector and lover of jazz music, these auction prices are merely figures on the screen.
If I had these high-priced records, I certainly would not sell them. If I don’t have them, I’m not gonna pay hundreds maybe thousands of dollars for one record. Living in Switzerland it is quite difficult for me to come across these sought-after Blue Note, Riverside etc. records. So I see myself rather as a bargain-hunter to find rare records on flea-markets or barn-sales.
Re: As far as the “high-priced spread” that JRC offers is concerned,I’m with Soga,except…
1)when I realize the number of great records he may offer that I’ve yet to find myself despite searching for decades..
2)when I compare what I spent money on(don’t ask!) that brought me nothing like the pleasure of a cherished lp…
3)when I think of years spent going to “barn-sales”-really?-looking for elusive sessions that I can buy from Fred(or other highly rated sellers)by the mere touch on a keyboard…
It’s all about perspective,I guess.
Perspective . . . and dollars . . . and, if we are to be completely honest about it, a little mania mixed in (in a good way of course).
Soga and everyone,
I always appreciate the bargain hunters. I actually respect someone who builds their collection that way a lot. But I don’t have as much time to do that anymore. I’ve spent hundreds of hours digging through bins rarely finding anything substantial. The times I do are very memorable, but they weren’t often. I think people who live in NYC area or other major cities have better luck, but it’s really difficult to uncover a M- Blue Note at a flea market. I use to try and try, but nowadays I don’t have as much time between work and family and prefer to just click to get a great record even if I pay too high.
The great thing is that there are a lot of records out there and we can both do what we want and be happy.