Odds and Ends and Blue Notes
Sep 1, 2010 Blue Note, Riverside
Here are some jazz vinyl odds and ends we’ve been watching for various reasons. We’re not expecting that all of these will end up in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, but they all have something of interest.
We were watching this one because it was listed as an original pressing even though it wasn’t: Kenny Drew Trio, Riverside 224. This was a blue-label pressing when the original was really a white label. The seller was very clear in stating that this was a “first mono pressing.” Ah well. The record was only in VG- condition and the cover was VG. Not an original and not in great condition and it sold for $87. That seems to be the going rate these days perhaps and, perhaps, maybe someone needed a new cover. Not for me in that condition at that price.
We were watching this to get a sense of what the solid blue label Blue Notes are selling for these days: Dexter Gordon, Dexter Calling, Blue Note 84083. This in M- condition for both the record and the cover and it sold for $29. This probably means that a Liberty pressing of this record would be in the $50 or $60 range, don’t you think?
Tags: Dexter Gordon, Kenny Drew
More Blue Notes, More Surprises
Aug 26, 2010 Blue Note
Having done Jazz Collector for seven years and having seen all kinds of price fluctuations, I should be beyond surprise, right? But I do admit I haven’t expected the price jump in collectible jazz, and particularly Blue Note, that seems to have taken place in just the past few months. I guess it’s a bit like the stock market, up and down, and there is the temptation to jump in and sell when prices are high. Here’s a record I have at home in beautiful condition and I bought it for ten dollars and I could make quite an obscene profit, based on this sale price: The Jazz Messengers at the Cafe Bohemia Volume 2, Blue Note 1508. This one had the beautiful Lexington Avenue label but was
More Jazz Vinyl For the $2,000 Bin
Aug 25, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Here’s some jazz vinyl for the $2,000 bin:
Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550. This was an original pressing and it was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The price was $2,142. A few months ago, I catalogued all of my Blue Notes for insurance purposes. For each record, I put down the condition and assigned a value to it, based on current market conditions and historical trends from the Jazz Collector Price Guide. Well, based on price trends, I’m going to have to go back and reassess the values and make them higher in most cases. For example, I don’t have an original pressing of this record, but I have an original of Hank, Blue Note 1560. My copy is M- for the record and VG++ for the cover. When I did the spreadsheet earlier this year, the value I assigned to this record was just
Tags: Doug Watkins, Hank Mobley, Jazz Vinyl, Transition Records
Tracking 10-Inch Jazz Vinyl On Blue Note
Aug 22, 2010 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay
There seems to be a corresponding hike in prices for 10-inch Blue Notes as well as 12-inch Blue Notes. Here are a few we were watching this week, several from the same seller, including: Lou Donaldson, New Faces, New Sounds, Blue Note 5021. This was an original pressing with the vinyl in M- condition and the cover VG+. It sold for $577. One thing about the 10-inchers: Unless they are a Japanese or United Artists press, you know they are originals.
Lou Donaldson Sextet Volume 2, Blue Note 5055. This one looked to be in VG++ condition for the vinyl and M- for the cover. The price was $667. Another one from the same seller:
Tags: 10-Inch LPs, Clifford Brown, Jazz Vinyl, Lou Donaldson, Miles Davis
More Questions About “Original” Blue Notes
Aug 19, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Collecting Tips
I went back to look at some of those listings from Paperstax that have generated all of this discussion and controversy. I started with Jackie McLean, Swing, Swang, Swingin’, Blue Note 4024. When you look at the listing, it seems to have it all: West 63rd Street address, deep groove, but . . . when you look closely, Van Gelder in the dead wax as opposed to RVG, no mention of the ear. In bidding, I would assume — and did — that this was an original and that the seller inadvertently did not mention the ear and used Van Gelder descriptively as opposed to using the RVG. The reason is because I don’t quite understand how this can be a Liberty pressing and still have the deep grooves. The same thing with:
Tags: Jackie McLean, Lou Donaldson
Bidding, Losing & Bidding Again
Aug 16, 2010 Blue Note, Riverside
Tags: Kenny Drew, Walter Davis
A Plug For Us, A Few For the Price Guide
Aug 14, 2010 Blue Note, Prestige
I must say, I got some pleasure out of reading this listing:
The Magnificent Thad Jones, Blue Note 1527. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing and the seller was not an expert and he took it to a professional cleaner to have cleaned. Even better, when he posted the listing he provided a link and referenced Jazz Collector to help people learn more about the record. Nice touch, if I do say so myself. Anyway, the record looked to be in M- or VG++ condition, and the cover was probably around VG. The price was $385.
Here are a few more going into the Jazz Collector Price Guide this morning:
Tags: JJ Johnson, Ray Bryant, Thad Jones
Jazz Vinyl Price Update: Jackie, Newk Et Al
Aug 13, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
I have a couple of hundred items to enter into the Jazz Collector Price Guide and I’m hoping to find some time this weekend. As I’ve been perusing through the entries this morning, I found a few that I never updated on the site, so here they are. No links on these, by the way.
Jackie McLean, Alto Madness, Prestige 7114. This was from about a month ago. It was an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The price was $932. A copy of Jackie’s Pal sold for more than $1,500 last week. There’s definitely been something that has stirred some higher prices in the past couple of weeks.
Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This was an original pressing that was in VG+ condition for the vinyl and VG for the cover. The price was $610.. This was an original pressing that was
Tags: Cliff Jordan, Jackie McLean, Jazz Vinyl, Sonny Clark, Sonny Rollins
Blue Notes Shattering Price Ceiling
Aug 10, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Let’s catch up from the weekend.
The Blue Notes seem to be in a new stratosphere. We’d never seen any Curtis Fuller record sell for more than $1,000 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide. Until now, that is: Curtis Fuller Volume 3, Blue Note 1583. This was an original pressing, featuring Sonny Clark on piano, and it was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The price was $1,467.43. Then there was this one, from a different seller: Curtis Fuller, The Opener, Blue Note 1567. This was also an original pressing, not with Sonny Clark but with Hank Mobley on tenor. The vinyl was M- and the cover was VG++. The price was $1,180. Honestly, watching these prices, I’m getting quite tempted to dig into the collection. I have both of these records in nice condition.
There there was this, which wasn’t even an original pressing:
Tags: Curtis Fuller, Jazz Vinyl, Kenny Dorham, Paul Chambers
On eBay: Book & Blue Note
Aug 6, 2010 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
We see that some of the big sellers are back on eBay this weekend. Here is some of the jazz vinyl we are watching here at Jazz Collector:
Booker Ervin, The Song Book, Prestige 7318. Booker was one of the unheralded greats on tenor sax and, to me, this is his best record as a leader. He wails on All The Things You Are and Just Friends and shows off his power and warmth on the ballads as well. With an all-star rhythm section featuring Tommy Flanagan, Richard Davis and Alan Dawson. If I ever get back to doing my Jazz Vinyl Countdown, this stays in the collection no matter what. Anyway, the copy on sale on eBay is an
Tags: Booker Ervin, Curtis Fuller, Jazz Records, Jazz Vinyl, Paul Chambers, Sonny Clark
Six Blue Note LPs, Six For the $1,000 Bin
Aug 5, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note
There were some comments on the earlier posts about Prestige prices being high. Here are some Blue Notes from the same time period and some of the same sellers:
Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. The record was mis-labeled as Dial S for Sonny in the listing, but I don’t think that impacted the price. The vinyl was listed in M- condition and the cover was M- and it was a nice clear picture in the listing, as you can see here. The record sold for $3,050.
Cliff Jordan, Blue Note 1565. This too was an original pressing from the same seller, also with a nice picture, also in M- condition for both the vinyl and the cover. It sold for $2,444, which was the highest price we’ve ever recorded for
Tags: Cliff Jordan, Donald Byrd, Hank Mobley, Jazz LPs, Jazz Records, Jazz Vinyl, Lee Morgan, Sonny Clark
Blue Train: Honing In On The Original Labels
Jul 31, 2010 Blue Note, Collecting Tips
Here’s a great one from our friend Don-Lucky on Blue Train:
Good afternoon Al,
I am not sure if your were watching this one already or not, but it sold quite for a record high today…
John Coltrane BLUE Train Blue Note 1577 w.63rd 23 NM!
Item Number: 400138742036
Selling Price: $1838.04
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400138742036&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBUAA:CA:1123
I was also chatting with Larry Cohn about this one earlier in the week and here is what he had to say on this auction: Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Blue Train, Jazz Vinyl, John Colttrane, Larry Cohn
A Couple More For the $1,000 Bin
Jul 29, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Here are a couple for the $1,000 bin in the Jazz Collector Price Guide:
Lee Morgan, City Lights, Blue Note 1575. This was an interesting one. The seller had it on last week with a reserve and didn’t sell it despite a bid of more than $400. He put it back this week, the bidding accelerated way past the $400 mark and the record wound up selling for a buy-it-now price of $1,200 before the auction closed. The seller must be pretty happy he put a reserve price on this record the first time around. The vinyl was listed as M- and the cover seemed to be VG+.
Bent Axen-Bent Jaedig, Let’s Keep the Message, Debut 133. This was the original Danish
Tags: Bent Axen, Debut Records, Lee Morgan
2 For the $1,000 Bin, 2 For Resale
Jul 26, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige
Let’s catch up once again on some more jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:
Cliff Jordan, Blue Note 1565. This was from that seller in Switzerland who was selling off pieces from his own collection. This one was in VG++ to M- condition for the vinyl and M- for the cover. The price was $1,345.67. This came from the same seller and is definitely the highest price we’ve seen for this record, proving, I guess, that it’s not only a Blue Note world: Jackie McLean, Jackie’s Pal, Prestige 7068. This was in M- condition all around, vinyl and cover, and it sold for $1,592.89.
Here’s one that did not meet the seller’s reserve price and is now back on eBay, with a $300 bid and a buy-it-now price of $1,200:
Tags: Cliff Jordan, Jackie McLean, Jazz Records, Jazz Vinyl, Lee Morgan, Louis Smith
Some Surprises in the JRC Lot
Jul 24, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note
I’m sure you’ve all been waiting anxiously for the results of the Jazz Record Center jazz vinyl auctions we’ve been watching on eBay, so here goes.
Lee Morgan, Indeed, Blue Note 1538. This was listed as an “early” pressing, and it seemed to have the Lexington Avenue address, flat edge and deep grooves, so I’m not sure why it wasn’t listed as an original pressing. Nevertheless, it was near mint for both the record and the cover and it sold for $1,915.
Hank Mobley, Peckin’ Time, Blue Note 1574. This was an original pressing and it also was in near mint condition for the vinyl and perhaps a drop less for the cover. This one sold for $1,825.
Horace Parlan, Headin’ South, Blue Note 4062. This one was interesting because
Tags: Hank Mobley, Horace Parlan, Lee Morgan, Paul Chambers
Jazz Vinyl For The $1,000 (Blue Note) Bin
Jul 23, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note
It looks like this will be a busy weekend for the $1,000 bin. In addition to some of the items from the Jazz Record Center auction, which we will update momentarily, there are also several other items for sale on eBay that are destined to be sold for high prices.
Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This is from a seller in Switzerland who says he is selling off pieces from his personal collection. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG++ condition for the record and M- condition for the cover. The price is already more than $1,000 and there are still two days to go. From the same seller is this one: Johnny Griffin, A Blowing Session, Blue Note 1559. This looks to be similar to the Sonny Clark record in condition: VG++ for the vinyl and either M- or VG++ for the cover. This one is also already more than $1,000.
The Jazz Record Center auctions close today and the bidding has not been fierce on most of the items. This is one, however, that will make it into the $1,000 bin:
Tags: Hank Mobley, Johnny Griffin, Sonny Clark
Jazz Vinyl on eBay: Blue Notes & A Roost
Jul 22, 2010 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
Here’s some interesting jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:
Gigi Gryce – Clifford Brown Sextet, Blue Note 5048. This one had a nice picture with it, as you can see, but the description wasn’t very complete. The seller noted that the record was glossy and had a few light marks and the cover had some wear, but there wasn’t any M- or VG+ or other grading to which we are normally accustomed. Nonetheless, there were bidders attracted to this type of description — optimists I would say — and the record sold for $608. Our previous high for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide was $579.
What do you think of records like this next one:
Tags: Beverly Kenney, Clifford Brown, Gigi Gryce, Miles Davis, Roost Records
JRC Auction: Nice Vinyl, Rare DSM Book
Jul 19, 2010 Blue Note, Books/Magazines
We always like to watch the listings from the Jazz Record Center because they generally get top prices and give us a sense of the current state of the market. They have a new auction this week and here are a few of the items:
Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore, Blowing in From Chicago, Blue Note 1549. This is a West 63rd Street deep-groove pressing, which I would think we be an original, but perhaps not. The listing notes that it is an “early deep-groove” pressing, but doesn’t state that it is an original. Can anyone see anything in the listing or picture that would indicate that this is not a first pressing? Anyway, the record is listed in M- condition and has a start price of $1,000. So far there are no bidders.
Duke Jordan, Flight To Jordan, Blue Note 4046. This one is listed clearly as an “original” pressing and it looks to be in beautiful M- condition for both the record and the cover. The starting price is $750 and there are no bidders yet.
I saw this item and immediately thought of Rudolf:
Tags: Cliff Jordan, David Stone Martin, Duke Jordan, Jazz Record Center, John Gilmore
On EBay: Jackie & A Pair Of Blue Notes
Jul 16, 2010 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay
Back to eBay. Here are some items worth watching:
Jackie McLean, The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601. For a really rare record, this one does seem to show up quite often on eBay. This is from a seller who says he is pulling it from his collection and it is listed in “almost” M- condition, which I assume is quite nice. There are a couple of days to go and it is approaching $1,000, but has not yet met the seller’s reserve.
Paul Chambers Quintet, Blue Note 1564. A couple of notes about this item. It is being sold by bobdjukic, who seems to have a mixed reputation among our readers, to put it mildly and euphemistically. This one is listed as in “weak” M- condition for the vinyl, which sounds like VG++ or perhaps even VG+ and it is listed as VG++ for the cover. It is currently in the $500 range and there are a couple of days to go before the bidding closes. I have a copy of this record, but it is
Tags: Jackie McLean, Jazz Vinyl, Lee Morgan, Paul Chambers
Today’s $1,000 Bin: Newk, JR, Sun Ra, Cliff Jordan
Jul 11, 2010 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige
Let’s update the Jazz Collector $1,000 bin, shall we?
Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus, Prestige 7079. This was an original pressing listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The selling price was $2,125. That’s the third highest price we’ve ever recorded for Saxophone Colossus in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.
Check out this one: J. R. Monterose, In Action, Studio 4 SS 100. This was an original pressing and we know this is a rare record from previous descriptions. If you missed those do a search above on J. R. Monterose and you can read all about it. What’s interesting about this listing is the seller’s rather detailed yet still unclear description of the condition. It seems to me, if I were bidding on this record, I would expect it to be in VG+ condition for the vinyl and VG for the cover. I’m thinking the winning bidder and those bidding it up, actually may have felt it was in better condition because
Tags: Cliff Jordan, J. R. Monterose, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Jazz Vinyl, Sonny Rollins, Sun Ra
On eBay: True Blue, Modern Art, Griffin Signed
Jul 10, 2010 Autographs, Blue Note
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:
Tags: Art Pepper, Hank Mobley, Johnny Griffin, Tina Brooks
Tracking Some Blue Note 10-Inchers
Jul 6, 2010 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
Here are some 10-inch Blue Notes that sold for some pretty high prices recently:
Milt Jackson, Wizard of the Vibes, Blue Note 5011. This was an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $343.50.
Miles Davis Volume 3, Blue Note 5040. This was an original pressing. The record was in VG condition and the cover was VG++. The price was $160.
Thelonious Monk, Genius of Modern Music, Blue Note 5002. This was an original pressing in M- condition for both the vinyl and the cover. The price was $493.50.
Tags: Horace Silver, Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk
On eBay: Mingus, Newk & Unplayed Records
Jul 5, 2010 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
Here’s some jazz vinyl we’re watching on eBay:
Charles Mingus and Thad Jones, Jazz Collaborations Volume 1, Debut 17. This is an original 10-inch LP and it is in M- condition for both the vinyl and the cover. Quite hard to find this LP in this condition. The seller is Euclid Records, which has been posting quite a collection of rare 10-inch LPs the past couple of weeks. Anyway, this one closes in about 15 hours from this post and is still in the $100 range.
This one has a buy-it-now price of $2,800 and is currently at $1,000 in the bidding but has not yet reached the seller’s reserve price:
Tags: Charles Mingus, Cliff Jordan, Debut Records, Jackie McLean, Sonny Rollins, Thad Jones
Tracking Prices For Later Blue Note Pressings
Jun 29, 2010 Blue Note, Collecting Tips
People have been asking about prices and values of later-pressing Blue Notes, so I’ve been watching a few just to keep tabs on the market. There was a seller last week that was selling a bunch of United Artists pressings, including: The Magnificent Thad Jones, Volume 3, Blue Note 1546. This one was in VG+ condition for both the record and the vinyl. The start price was $40 and there were no bids. So that price was definitely too high. However, if you look at his other completed listings, there were a bunch more United Artists pressings in better condition and they sold in the range of $15 to $25 each, for the most part. There was a Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550, that sold for $25.49 and a Lee Morgan Indeed, Blue Note 1538, that sold for $15. There were others as well, including a couple of blue-and-white label Liberty pressings that sold for between $30 and $40. I also watched this blue
Tags: Euclid Records, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Liberty Blue Notes, Lou Donaldson, Thad Jones, United Artists Blue Notes
Blue Notes on A Summer’s Day
Jun 28, 2010 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
On this warm, sticky, hot, sweltering summery day in New York, let us take a moment to catch up on some collectible jazz vinyl from the recent annals of eBay:
Here’s a nice Blue Note for what seemed to be a pretty reasonable price: Lou Donaldson, Swing and Soul, Blue Note 1566. This was an original pressing from a reputable seller. The vinyl was M- and the cover was VG++. The price was $460.75, and this is quite a fine record, indeed. There was a second copy of this record for sale. The record and cover were VG++ and the
Tags: Frank Foster, Hank Mobley, Lou Donaldson