jazzcollector.com » Autographs

Rare Autographs: What’s in a Name

Al — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:21:27 +0000

Perhaps I’m naive, but when I see an autographed record I always assume that it is legitimate and not a fraud. It seems kind of weird to me that someone would try to copy the autograph of a jazz artist to try to inflate the value of the record when, in many cases, the autograph actually devalues the record, another oddity that I will never understand. I was watching this record on eBay: Thelonious Monk, Work, Prestige 7169. This was a yellow label pressing and an “original” in the sense that it was the first pressing of this record, which is a reissue of an earlier record. Normally it would be worth about $50 or so, but this one happens to have signatures on it from both Monk and Sonny Rollins. To me, this is a gem, assuming the autographs are legitimate, which I do. I tend not to collect autographs, although something like this is tempting, so I passed the listing on to one of our loyal readers who does collect autographs. I see from the geography of the winning bidder that our friend did not bid for this. The start price was $500 and there was one bidder. Don-Lucky — what happened? Seems like a good price for this one.

Into the $1,000 Bin, Including Rare Autographs

Al — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:14:27 +0000

We’ve been away, now we are back, and we see that we’ve missed some pretty heavy-duty sales on eBay for some pretty heavy-duty dollars.Let’s catch up.

I think we predicted these two would sell for more than $2,000 and they did: Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550. This was an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $2,350. From the same seller was Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225. This was also in M- condition for the record and the cover. The price: $2,075.

How about this one? Cannonball Adderley Quintet in Chicago, Mercury 60134. This was an original stereo pressing and it’s the one that features John Coltrane. What does it normally sell for, maybe $30? This one, however, offered by Euclid Records, happened to have been autographed by both Cannonball and Coltrane. What does that make it worth? How about $1,037. Don Lucky, where were you on this one? I know many of you are blase about autographs and actually prefer records that don’t have autographs, but to me, having a record signed by two of my heroes, that’s just priceless. Well, perhaps not priceless, but $1,037 seems a reasonable price.

This one has really gone up in value since we’ve been doing the Jazz Collector site: Helen Merrill, Emarcy 36006. This was an original pressing that looked to be in about VG++ condition for the record and the cover, which, of course, had the blue writing on the back. This copy sold for $1,325. Another copy of the same record, in similar VG++ condition, sold at around the same time for $1,225.

eBaying: Frank Sinatra Autograph, LD BLue Note

Al — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:10:10 +0000

This one is for don-lucky and other autograph collectors out there. By the way, are there other autograph collectors out there? I though it was pretty cool: Frank Sinatra, Stormy Weather and Ol’Man River. This is a test/promo pressing of a 78 RPM record, clearly from Columbia although there are no other markings to indicate that. The record is signed in script: Best Wishes, Frank Sinatra. I’m not sure how to authenticate these things, but it looks pretty real. There was just one bidder and it sold for $395. Biggest problem with buying a 78 on eBay is the shipping. They are just so fragile.

And, while I’m here, here’s a random Blue Note I was watching: Lou Donaldson, Lou Takes Off, Blue Note 1591. This looked to be an original pressing in VG+ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $334.

Updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide

Al — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:16:34 +0000

I’ve been spending time updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide. I hope you guys use it: It does take up a bit of time to keep it going. In any case, as I’ve been going through older watch lists on eBay, here are some of the odds and ends I’ve been seeing.

I would classify this as a bargain: Gene Ammons, The Big Sound, Prestige 7132. This was not an original pressing with the New York address, but it was an early yellow label with the New Jersey address. The record and cover were ion VG+ condition and the price was $32. What makes this record interesting, in my opinion, is the presence of John Coltrane as a sideman. I have to admit I haven’t listened to this record in years so perhaps that will be one of my chores for the day to report back to you on the quality of the music.

There was a seller a few seeks ago with a bunch of autographed records, including: Art Farmer, Modern Art. This was a reissue, worth about $3 without an autograph. With the autograph it sold for $47. There were also a couple of records signed by Dizzy Gillespie, including: Dizzy Gillespie, Perceptions, Verve 8411. This was listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. Without the autograph this would be maybe $10: With the autograph it sold for $60. Did I ever tell you about my copy of AT’s Delight signed by Art Taylor?

Who would have thought Freddie Roach records would fetch such a price: Freddie Roach, Good Move, Blue Note 4158. This was an original New York USA pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $587. I remember this one from the bargain bins in the early 1970s.

Moody’s Mood For A Jazz Collector

Al — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:44:10 +0000

One of the advantages of having a large and diverse collection, as I have, is sometimes finding hidden gems buried somewhere in the collection. Of course, the disadvantage is sometimes not knowing what you have at all and buying things in duplicate, triplicate or worse. In any case, I had a pleasant discovery the other day. I was chatting with my sister and she had her iPod on the background. The song that came up was “Moody’s Mood for Love.” I didn’t care for the version – George Benson – but I told her about the history of the song, the James Moody recording of “I’m In the Mood For Love,” the Eddie Jefferson lyrics, the King Pleasure recording, etc. Anyway, when I got home I happened to be looking through some of my 78s. Hmm, I thought, do I have the original King Pleasure 78? Indeed, I did and I put it on and it sounded great. Hmm, I thought again, what about the original James Moody “I’m in the Mood for Love?” And that’s when I was pleasantly surprised . . .

Not only do I have a copy of the Prestige 78 recording of James Moody’s “I’m in the Mood For Love,” I actually have a copy of the 78 autographed by the late James Moody himself. How I came to own this collectible, I have no idea. I don’t remember when or where I bought it and I know I didn’t personally bring it to Moody and ask him to sign it because that is not something I do. In any case, it is here, as you can see in the picture, and I have no doubt that it is genuine. If you were to have any item autographed by James Moody, this would be the one, right?

Jazz Collector Back In Business (Sort Of)

Al — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:56:45 +0000

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:

Dexter Gordon, Dexter Calling, Blue Note 4083. This is an original pressing. It’s not in mint condition and some idiot stamped his name a few times on the back cover but, like a lot of these Blue Notes, it sounds so much better than it looks.

This is one of those blues records. I have no idea if this is a collectible, but it seems pretty rare, is clearly an original and I couldn’t find even a single copy on popsike. Perhaps someone in the audience will know: The Perry Bradford Story, Crispus-Attucks Records. This is not only unplayed, it is autographed as well. It’ll be interesting to hear if there is a story behind this record.

There are two things to note about this return to selling records:

On the Jazz Collector site there is a heading at the top for “Items For Sale.” For nearly a year, it’s been the same bunch of records I’ve had parked there. Now, there will be no items worth viewing, so this can be a section of the site to regularly look at once again.
Remember that idea of having a “store” in my basement, with all of my thousands of records to sell? Well, I’m finally ready. If any Jazz Collector reader is in town, or is local, and would like to make an appointment, the Jazz Collector “store” is open for business. You can contact me at al(at)jazzcollector.com.

Catching Up: A Little Trane, A Little JJ

Al — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:46:28 +0000

Sorry for taking such a long and totally unexpected hiatus. I got caught up in things and just never put aside time to post. I won’t do that again. Anyway, I have not forgotten Rudolf’s question about the status of my Great Jazz Vinyl Countdown and I will address that soon, but first let me catch up on other stuff. I had noted the small John Coltrane autograph from the Jazz Record Center when I last posted and I had expectations it would go for a fairly high price, which it did: $491.85. And no, I was not the bidder, although that is certainly something I wouldn’t mind having. I was also watching this one: Jay Jay Johnson Volume 2, Blue Note 1506. This looked to be an original Lexington Avenue flat edge pressing. It was only in VG+ condition for the vinyl and VG- for the cover. Many of the flat-edge Lexington Avenue Blue Notes have been

selling for more than $500 each lately, so I was watching this to see if it would come close. It didn’t: It sold for $102. I also had my eye on this copy of John Coltrane Giant Steps, Atlantic 1311. This was a black label pressing that seemed to be in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover, based on the description. It looked nice and had a nice picture and it sold for $700.

By the way, the gig went very well on Saturday night at the Monterey General Store. We had about 40-50 people in the audience, which is actually a decent crowd — it is just a general store, after all — and we played well. Dan was in excellent form and I made all the changes and even took a few solos. I’ll post a picture if I can get one from my daughter and I’ll check to see if there is any audio or video.

JRC Auction: John Coltrane Autograph

Al — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:10:04 +0000

We’ve written off and on here at Jazz Collector about autographs. Our favorite was the letter from Bill Evans to John Coltrane that was auctioned for $38,000 five years ago. If you want to check that out, click here. We were reminded of this when we received an email announcing the latest auction from the Jazz Record Center and we saw that they are selling a John Coltrane autograph. This one is not so enticing as the Evans letter, but it is a Coltrane autograph and there can’t be too many of those, can there? Anyway, it has a start price of $100 and there is already one bidder. This is one that I think will entice jazz collectors everywhere: A nice, small Coltrane autograph, easy to frame, easy to hang up on a wall, a very nice item to show your friends and family. Hmmmm, perhaps I’m talking myself into something here.

On eBay: True Blue, Modern Art, Griffin Signed

Al — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:42:28 +0000

Here’s some interesting jazz vinyl we’re watching on eBay:

Johnny Griffin, The Kerry Dancers, Riverside, 420. This is an original blue label pressing and it is listed in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. This record also features an autograph on the cover by Johnny Griffin, apparently from 1995. As we’ve seen before, an autograph can either be an enticement or a detriment, depending upon the collector. For me, I always like having an autographed copy. This one has a few hours to go and is selling in the $250 range. In the Jazz Collector Price Guide we’ve seen a sealed copy of this LP sell for $370, but otherwise the top price was $230, so it seems the autograph is enhancing the value of this LP.

Here’s one destined for the $1,000 bin, assuming it meets the seller’s reserve price:

Tina Brooks, True Blue, Blue Note 4041. This is an original pressing. The record is listed in VG++ condition and the cover is VG+. The current price is about $900 with a couple of days left, and it has yet to meet the seller’s reserve.

Art Pepper, Modern Art, Score 606. This one also may be headed to the $1,000 bin. The vinyl looks to be between VG+ and VG++ (which means its probably VG+) and the cover sounds like it is VG based on the description. It is currently priced at $760 and there is more than a day to go.

This one may be of interest if you have a nice cover and are looking to upgrade the vinyl: Hank Mobley with Donald Byrd and Lee Morgan, Blue Note 1540. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The cover looks beat, but the record seems to be a solid VG+. The current price is less than $200, but it is closing soon.

Catching Up: Flanagan, Dorham & A Signed Max

Al — Thu, 13 May 2010 10:18:23 +0000

Let’s catch up on a few more eBay sales:

This one did sell for more than $1,000. Tommy Flanagan Overseas, Prestige 7134. When we were watching it the other day it was at about $400 and we speculated it might sell for less than $1,000. It sold for $1,440 in VG+ condition for the vinyl and the cover. Perhaps that can be considered a bargain in today’s market?

The Arrival of Kenny Dorham, Jaro 5007. This was an original pressing in VG++ condition for both the vinyl and the cover. It sold for $457. We’ve never tracked this one at more than $1,000 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, but we’re pretty sure it has probably cracked the $1,000 barrier at some point. It’s a nice record and quite rare as well.

This one was autographed. Still not sure if an autograph enhances the value of a jazz record. Collectors can be quite picky about having their records untouched and pristine:

Max Roach, We Insist! Freedom Now Suite, Candid 8002. This was an original deep groove pressing. The seller wasn’t clear in the description and, based on what he said, we’d gauge this to be about VG+ for both the record and the cover. It was signed and dated by Max Roach in 1993. The price was $76. Seems like a good deal to me, but I happen to be a collector that likes having a record or cover signed by the artist. I was looking through some of my 78s yesterday and found an old Stan Getz 78 — Five Brothers on Prestige — that was signed in ink by Zoot Sims. Definitely put a smile on my face to see that autograph.