Hmm, this one doesn’t normally get the Jazz Collector  prices, particularly the stereo version: Jimmy Heath, The Thumper, Riverside 1160. This was the original black label stereo version. The record was in M- condition and the cover was probably VG++. It sold for $163.50 but there were only two bidders, which raises a bit of an alert with me. This one was from the same seller: Cannonball Adderley Quintet at the Lighthouse, Riverside 344. This was an original deep groove mono pressing. The record and cover were in M- condition and, again, there were two bidders. The top bid was $88.

There were still a few more we were watching from the jazz5060/Music Matters auction, including a few that went for quite high prices, compared to what they normally fetch. For example:

Art Farmer, Farmer’s Market, Prestige 8203. I always found this one to be an interesting curiosity because of the number in the 8200 series. This was a short-lived series and I’m not sure what Prestige was thinking at the time. Perhaps one of the Prestige experts out there — hello, Rudolf — has more information. This was a review copy with the original yellow label and it was in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for a whopping $707. This one also got a very high price, all things considered: Mal Waldron, The Quest, New Jazz 8269. This record features Eric Dolphy and Booker Ervin, a nice combination indeed, Mingus alumni, and it was in M- condition for the record and the cover. It sold for $630. Our previous high for this in the Jazz Collector Price Guide was $170

Sometimes you see these Prestiges go for top dollar, sometimes they go relatively cheaply. This one was top dollar: Gene Ammons All Stars, Prestige 7060. This one was in M- condition for the record and cover and sold for $707.

Miles Davis with Sonny Rollins, Dig, Prestige 7012. This looks to be an original New York pressing with the gray cover as opposed to the blue cover. I would also assume that this is the “frame” cover, otherwise known as kakubushi. I always preferred the gray cover, of course, since it is the original, and I wonder why Prestige chose to change the color on the subsequent release. Perhaps someone out there knows — Rudolf? This one was in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover and is currently in the $150 price range with more than a day to go.

I am no longer in the market for this record, having just acquired an original pressing. Yay! Johnny Griffin, A Blowing Session, Blue Note 1559. This appears to be an original pressing and the condition seems to be somewhere between VG+ and M-. The start price is around $750 and, so far, there are no takers. The second copy, viewed here, looks to be in slightly worse condition, rated as “excellent” by the seller, although he describes light scuffs and the picture shows a back that has some dirt and wear. If I were wagering, I’d say this record and cover are VG+, the way I grade things. This one already has two bids and is at $404 with six days to go.

Jimmy Raney Quartet, New Jazz 1101. I like this one because of the maroon and white label, which you rarely see. There were just a few 10-inch New Jazz LPs, so they are pretty cool, and pretty rare. This one was probably in VG or VG+ condition for the record and the vinyl. It sold for $157.50.

Now a bunch of Blue Notes:

Lee Morgan, Lee-Way, Blue Note 4034. This was in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $600.

Lou Donaldson, Wailing With Lou, Blue Note 1545. This was an original West 63rd pressing in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $688.

Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. Also an original pressing, of course, this one in VG+ condition for the record and the cover. It sold for $1,343.

Dexter Gordon, One Flight Up, Blue Note 4176. This one was in M- condition for the record and VG for the cover. It sold for $200.

Hank Mobley, Soul Station, Blue Note 4031. Record was M- and cover was M-. Price was $1,465.

Kenny Dorham, Afro-Cuban, Blue Note 5065. This was the 10-inch record in VG condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $305.

Hank Mobley, Roll Call, Blue Note 4058. this was in VG+ condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. It sold for $512.

Jutta Hipp with Zoot Sims, Blue Note 1530. This was a Lexington Avenue pressing. It was VG+ for the record and just VG for the cover. It sold for $810.

We need a new explanation for this one: Horace Silver, Song For My Father, Blue Note 4185. Admittedly this is a great, classic record and this was an original mono pressing in near mint condition for both the record and the cover. Why is there a new explanation needed? Conventional wisdom has said that because of the initial popularity of this record, there has always been a relatively abundant supply of original pressings in decent condition. Conventional wisdom may be changing. This particular copy sold for $405. Our previous high for this in the Jazz Collector Price Guide was $334 and, at the time, we considered that to be an aberration. What’s this?

And this? Gene Ammons, Blue Gene, Prestige 7146. This was from the same seller and it was also in near mint condition for the record and the cover. You’d normally expect this in the $40-$50 range, maybe a drop higher because of the condition. This copy sold for $164.50.

This next one got quite a high price, but not a surprising one:

Hank Mobley, Hank, Blue Note 1560. This was an original pressing listed in near mint condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $2,480.

This one, from the same seller, broke its way into the $1,000 bin for the first time: Dexter Gordon, Daddy Plays the Horn, Bethlehem 36. This was also described as being in near mint condition. It sold for $1,325.

I always liked this record: Abbey Lincoln with the Riverside Jazz Stars, Riverside 251. This one features Sonny Rollins and Kenny Dorham in nice support roles. The record was listed as VG+ and the cover as VG++, but the descriptions/picture might make you a bit wary, especially a mention of “feelable” marks. It sold for $177.50.

Here are a few interesting items closing in the next day or so:

John Coltrane, Giants Steps, Atlantic 1311. This is an original black label mono pressing from a reputable seller. The record is listed in VG++ condition for both the record and the vinyl. It’s closing later today and the price is around $160, but it has yet to meet the seller’s reserve price. Hard to believe but with all the years I’ve been hunting records, and the size of my collection, I actually don’t own a black label Giant Steps. The one in my collection is the stereo bulls-eye. Perhaps if this doesn’t meet the reserve price, the seller and I can trade? Are you listening out there? I know you read Jazz Collector.

Sonny Rollins, Newk’s Time, Blue Note 4001. This is an original pressing that looks to be in M- condition for the record and VG++ or so for the cover. The auction is closing today, the bidding is around $200 and there is still a reserve price that has yet to be met. I just picked up a second copy of this LP for myself. Not sure if I’ll put it on eBay or keep it. These things are so rare these days, it feels like they should be kept and preserved and treasured, even if you have more than one. Not to hoard, but to sort of own and preserve the history. Anyone else starting to feel that way?

This seller has some nice items up this week so you can take a look at this and see the other items as well: Introducing Johnny Griffin, Blue Note 1533. You need to read the listing carefully on this. The picture shows the Lexington Avenue address, but the description notes that it is a split address, one side Lex, one side West 63rd. Early second press, wouldn’t you say? Although many of you out there would call it an original, based on early discussions here at Jazz Collector. The record here is in M- condition, the cover is described as “OK” condition. There is a start price of about $350 and so far there are no bidders. For me, I’d rather have the same label on both sides, even if it’s a second press and both labels are West 63rd. Not sure why I feel that way, but I do.

Here’s one in VG condition for both the record and the cover: Jutta Hipp, Blue Note 5056. This is the 10-inch LP, quite rare. How important is condition to you? This one is at about $75 with about a day to go. It will probably sell for close to $200 even in this condition. In the Jazz Collector Price Guide our top price for this record is $662 but, of course, that one was in M- condition.

Tommy Flanagan, The Cats, New Jazz 8217. This is an original pressing with the purple labels and deep grooves. It is a relatively early John Coltrane record featuring Trane as a sideman, along with Kenny Burrell. The record and cover are both in M- condition and the price is in the $250 range, but it has not yet reached the seller’s reserve. My personal story with this goes back nearly 40 years when I was doing some record trading with a sax player named David Krieger and I had a broken leg and couldn’t drive and something came up and he had to leave so I was alone in his basement with his entire record collection, including some gorgeous Blue Notes. I could have taken off with a few gems but of course I did not. I can’t ever look at a copy of The Cats and not think of Dave who sadly passed away earlier this year.

This one is a pretty one right in the time frame when Prestige was doing some of its best work:

Curtis Fuller, Soul Trombone, Prestige 7107. This is an original pressing with the yellow label and New York address. The record is VG+ and the cover is VG++. This one is in the $240 price range and still has more than a day and a half to go.

From the same seller is Hank Mobley, Mobley’s Message, Prestige 7061. This is another one I once owned and now regret selling. This one looks to be in VG condition, perhaps VG+, but probably VG. It is about $120 with a few days left to go.

If it’s “insanely rare” it must be the seller bobjdukic, who is back with a bunch of records, including:

Moondog, The Story of Moondog, Prestige 7099. This looks to be an original pressing. The record is described as M- and the cover as VG++, but the picture on the cover shows that it is VG+ at best, with a water stain. That should impact the price, which is about $100 with a few days left. There is also a reserve price that has not yet been met. The cover, designed by Andy Warhol, is the reason this one is valued so highly as a collectible.