Mono, Stereo, Blue Note, Riverside

The Jazz Record Center has an auction closing this week. Not the normal list of heavyweights, but some nice records, including: Bill Evans, Explorations, Riverside 9531. This is the original stereo pressing with the black label. The record looks to be in M- condition and the cover is probably M- as well. The current price is about $110 and there are two days to go. Maybe this is a week of stereo pressings, because there is also this: Blue Mitchell, The Thing To Do, Blue Note 84178. This is an original stereo pressing and it looks to be in M- condition for the record and the cover. The start price is $100 and so far there are no takers. With the Blue Notes, there’s something about the monos that make them feel “more original.” I find with the later Riversides, such as the Evans LP, I don’t have the same preference for the mono pressing.

This one got a pretty high top bid, but did not sell because it didn’t meet the seller’s reserve price:

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Watching Jazz Vinyl Prices on The Rise

Been away from eBay for a few days. Here’s some of the jazz vinyl we missed:

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:

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A Few For the $1,000 (And More) Bin

Here’s a recap of some of the jazz vinyl auctions we’ve been watching on eBay:

Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568. This was the one that was in M- condition for the record and VG++ or M- for the cover. It sold for quite a hefty price, $4,600, but not a record high. This guy was bid all the way up to $2,720 and STILL didn’t meet the seller’s reserve price. Wow: Jackie McLean, The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601. The record was described as being in M- condition and the cover was VG++ or M-.

This one, believe it or not, entered the $2,000 bin: Bill Evans, Waltz for Debby, Riverside 399. The seller didn’t actually apply a grade for either the cover or record, but noted that the vinyl was in “great shape” other than for a paper scratch or two. Somewhat reassuring, but not enough for me to wager $2,075, which is what the winning bidder put up. It was a white label promo copy, but still.

Here are a couple more for the $1,000 bin:

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Going Up . . . Up . . . Up . . .

Here’s some interesting jazz vinyl auctions that closed this week.

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:

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Down By The Riversides (With A Blue Note)

Here’s some more jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay.

It’s been a while since we’ve tracked a nice copy of Tina Brooks, True Blue, Blue Note 4041. This one was an original pressing listed in VG++ condition for the record and M- for the cover. It sold for $1,913.

Here’s a nice Riverside: Ernie Henry, Last Chorus, Riverside 266. This looked to be an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $270.

While we’re on Riversides, here’s one two numbers apart: Johnny Griffin Sextet, Riverside 264. This one was in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $349.95. My dad used to search high and low for the Riversides in the bargain bins of a couple of record stores along 8th Street in Greenwich Village in the ’60s. I wish he would have bought some of these, but he wound up with a lot of Cannonball, a lot of Wes Montgomery and some Bill Evans. No complaints, really. I still have many of those great records from my dad.

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A Jazz Vinyl Christmas?

I did my usual eBay searches last night and there is a lot of really, really nice collectible jazz vinyl available now. These things tend to go in cycles. Perhaps the Christmas season brings out the inner retailer in some of us. Here is just a sampling of the jazz vinyl we’re watching now:

Walter Davis Jr., Davis Cup, Blue Note 4018. This looks to be an original pressing in not-too-great condition. Record looks to be VG or VG+ and the cover is rated as VG. The auction closes later today and the bidding is in the $150 range. I have a United Artists pressing of this record and would love an original, even one in VG condition. But this will probably sell for somewhere around $300, so I think I’ll wait.

I’m still surprised to see these Benny Golson LPs selling for such high prices, although I’ve always been a fan myself: Benny Golson, Gone With Golson, New Jazz 8235. This is an original purple label pressing and it is listed in M- condition for the record and Ex for the cover, which is probably VG++? There are more than two days left on this auction and the bidding is already nearing $400. Speaking of which, here is a copy of my favorite Benny Golson record: Benny Golson, The Modern Touch, Riverside 256. This is an original deep groove blue label pressing that is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The price is well less than $100 at this point, with a few days to go. If you don’t know this record, it’s one to check out. Really nice arrangements, some great Kenny Dorham, and a fantastic rhythm section with Paul Chambers, Max Roach and Wynton Kelly. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Here’s another favorite, with a great cover:

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Jazz Vinyl: Two for the $1,000 Bin, Plus A Couple More

Been away from my posting for a few days. Trying to get back into the swing of things, but there were a couple of days of hurricane delays, plus the lovely Mrs. JC is on vacation. Anyway, I vow once again to be posting more regularly, starting today with some jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay.

Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus, Prestige 7079. This was an original New York pressing. The record was described as M- condition and the cover looked to be at least VG++, perhaps M- depending upon your grading system. This one sold for $1,536. We’ve seen this one sell for more than $2,000 several times in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, and once approach $3,000. So perhaps this is a bargain, or perhaps it’s just where the market was on this particular day. The item did have more than 400 page views, which is a significant amount.

Here’s a Riverside that did quite well for the seller, which was Euclid Records: Wynton Kelly Piano. Riverside 254. This was an original Blue label pressing with the deep grooves. It was in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The price was $710. Nice cover on this record, right? Straight from the ’50s.

So this next one made the $1,000 bin after all:

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Updates From The Jazz Record Center Auction, Part 2

We did promise a Part 2 of our post on the recent auction from The Jazz Record Center, so here goes (apologize for the delay):

Why isn’t this record worth more: Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins, Prestige 7075? This was an original New York pressing. The record was in M- condition — nearly new — and the cover looked like it was at least VG++, maybe better. It sold for $192.50. I happen to think this is a terrific album. I love Sonny’s interpretation of The Way You Look Tonight. When I was first getting into jazz I used to compare this version to the Stan Getz version on Stan Getz Plays and it took me a while to reconcile not only that it was the same song, but that it was even the same instrument. My ears are obviously much more sophisticated now, but at the time the difference in approach seemed so stark. And I liked both versions. Anyway, I repeat my query: Why is this great original Prestige, featuring two of the geniuses of modern jazz, not even a $200 record?

This has always been one of the rarest and more expensive of the Riversides, for good reason: Sonny Rollins, The Sound of Sonny, Riverside 241. This was an original white label pressing and it was in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $765. It’s the presence of Sonny Clark with Rollins that makes this one so sought-after, no?

Now for a few Blue Notes:

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Old Jazz Collector Habits Die Hard

Now that I’m sort of settled in from my month of moving, I’m resorting back to some old habits, browsing eBay page by page by page and even occasionally throwing in a bid, even though I really don’t want to be buying records and would much prefer to be selling records. But some habits are hard to break and, when I see what may be a bargain on eBay, it is hard to resist swinging over to the sniping software and placing a bid. There is a mindlessness to it and, as they say, idle hands are the Jazz Collector’s tools. In any case, I didn’t win last night’s snipe, thank goodness, which was this: Jazz By Matthew Gee, Riverside 221, which looked to be an original white label pressing with what may have been original plastic wrap. The record was M- and the cover was VG+ and with two hours to go on the auction there was only one bidder and $9. I figured I could possibly get the record cheaply, so I put in a snipe at about $45, but I didn’t come close. It wound up selling for $126.17.

I was also considering a bid on this one because it wasn’t getting much action:

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Jazz Vinyl Update For the $1,000 Bin (and More)

Here we go with an update on some of the jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:

This one inspired quite a bidding war, with nearly 1,000 page views and 32 bids among 17 bidders: Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. This was an original pressing. The record was listed as M- and the cover was only VG+. The price was a whopping $3,350.

This one also entered the $1,000 bin (nice picture, huh?): Lee Morgan, Blue Note 1541. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing that was listed in M- condition for the vinyl and VG+ for the cover. The price was $1,385.

I think prices are starting to come back again to previous levels. Look at this one: Zoot Sims, Zoot, Riverside 228. This was an original white-label pressing. The record was described as excellent, which I translate to VG++ and the cover was probably VG+ with tape on the top seam. The price was $457, which is the highest price we’ve seen for this LP in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.

 

Griff and Warhol For The $1,000 Bin

Here are a couple of recent sales we’ve been watching:

Johnny Griffin, The Congregation, Blue Note 1580. This one looked to be an original pressing. The listing doesn’t mention deep grooves, but they are clearly visible in the photo. The record was listed in M- condition and the cover was VG++. The price was $1,091.77. That’s a high price, to be sure, but with what’s happening in the Blue Note market lately and the market for Andy Warhol covers, I’m frankly surprised it didn’t sell for more.

Bill Evans, Waltz For Debby, Riverside 399. This was a white label promo copy, which looks quite cool. The record was in mixed condition: Side 1 was listed as VG++ and side 2 was listed as VG. When I have a record like that, I tend to go with the worst-case scenario and rate it VG. The cover was listed as VG++. The price was $790.

An Opportune Time For eBay Bargains?

Today may be a time to find bargains on eBay. When I bid on records, which is not too often these days, I use a sniping software called BidNip. Earlier today I tried to snipe two records, but the software wouldn’t allow it. These were records closing within a few hours, yet the BidNip software showed them both closing sometime in 1999. Indeed. Anyway, I’ll share my secrets: One of the records was this: Randy Weston, Trio and Solo, Riverside 227. This was an original pressing with the white label. I love those white label Riversides and I don’t own an original copy of this. It was listed in M- condition for the record and the cover. I was going to put a snipe bid of about $71, since it was only at $30 with about an hour to go. I would have lost: The record sold for $83.20. The other record is still coming up, but I’ll have no chance to win it, snipe or not: Stanley Turrentine, Look Out, Blue Note 4039.  In the Jazz Collector Price Guide our top price for this is nearly $400 and this one is sitting at about $125 in VG+ condition. I might have gone close to $200 for it, but not with confidence and not expecting to win it. The point of all this is that

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Some Later Blue Note Pressings, Plus a Few More

Here are some odds and ends of interest for various reasons:

As prices have been rising for original Blue Notes, we’ve also been watching prices rise, although not as drastically for later pressings. We had an eye on this one: Wayne Shorter, Speak No Evil, Blue Note 4194. This was a stereo pressing with the Liberty label. The record as M- and the cover was VG++. It sold for $38. I couple of years ago, these Liberty pressings were selling in the $20 range, so there has been movement, as you would expect. When I first started collecting jazz in 1970 or so, if you went into a local store such as a Sam Goody, these were the pressings you would typically find. If I had been prescient, or if I had the money, I would have bought them all.

This seller was trying to take a shot with a record of similar vintage: Hank Mobley, No Room For Squares, Blue Note 4149. This didn’t have a description of the label, but it did clearly show in the picture that it was a Liberty pressing. He tried with a start price of $100. There were no bidders, and it has now been listed for around $50, with the same pictures. Presumably there will still be no bidders, but you can never tell. This seller’s feedback rating, by the way, is 98.8 percent.

This one is hard to figure:

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More Updates For the Jazz Collector Price Guide

I’ve been spending time this weekend updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide and realized there are a bunch more interesting items we’ve mentioned here but haven’t followed up, so here are a few of them:

George Wallington, Jazz For the Carriage Trade, Prestige 7032. This was an original New York pressing with a record in M- condition and a nice shiny cover in VG++ condition. It sold for $395.

Sonny Criss Plays Cole Porter, Imperial 9024. This looked to be an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $350.99.

Lou Donaldson, Swing and Soul, Blue Note 1566. This was one of the recent records sold by the Jazz Record Center. It was in M- condition for both the record and the cover and it sold for $544.44.

From that same auction were these:

The Wes Montgomery Trio, Riverside 310. This was an original pressing in M- condition and sold for $305, the highest price we’ve seen for this record.

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Watching eBay: Wes, Sonny Clark, Dex & More

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

The latest auction from the Jazz Record Center is closing today, with some interesting items, such as: The Wes Montgomery Trio, Riverside 310. This is an original pressing in near mint condition for both the record and the cover. We haven’t seen this record sell for high prices very often, but this one will: It is already close to $175. Sonny Clark, Leapin’ and Lopin’, Blue Note 4091. This is an original pressing with the New York USA labels. It is in M- condition and is priced at more than $300 with a few hours to go. Did you see the Sonny Clark articles referred to by Mike in the Reader Forum? They are terrific. Go to the Reader Forum for the links. Here’s one more: Dexter Gordon, One Flight Up, Blue Note 4176. This is also an original pressing in beautiful condition.  It is currently in the $180 price range.

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Catching Up on Some Odds & Ends

Here are some non-Blue Note odds and ends we’ve been watching:

Blue Mitchell, Blue Soul, Riverside 309. This was one of the ones from the recent bobdjukic auction. It was listed in VG++ condition for both the vinyl and the cover and it looked to be an original deep groove, blue label pressing. It sold for $275. One of the reasons I was watching this is that I just bought another small collection and a nice original mint copy of this record was in the batch. There were also a few original Blue Notes so, if I ever get back to selling records on eBay, I’ll have some nice items to start with . . . . or if I have Jazz Collector readers come to the house, as previously proposed.

Harry Carney With Strings, Clef 640. This looked to be an original pressing, although there was no picture of the label, with a beautiful cover illustration by David Stone Martin. It was listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover and sold for $110.50. You have to wonder how much longer there will be a market for Harry Carney LPs. Case in point: The Astaire Story. This was the original Mercury boxed set in beautiful condition, signed by Astaire, with the Stone Martin illustrations and the exclusive photos. In M- condition, this would have sold for somewhere in the range of $2,000 just a few years ago. Now, the seller had a start price of $800 and there were no bidders.

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Catching Up on Some Jazz Vinyl

Let’s catch up on some jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:

First there were those beautiful 10-inch Blue Notes: Clifford Brown, New Star on the Horizon, Blue Note 5032. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing listed in M- condition for the vinyl and what we would characterize as VG++ for the cover. A beautiful copy. It sold for $535.49. From the same seller was this: Miles Davis Volume 2, Blue  Note 5022. This was in similar condition to the Clifford record and sold for $630.

That brilliant copy of Thelonious Monk, Brilliant Corners, Riverside 226, did not reach the  $1,000 bin, to my surprise. This was a white-label pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $898.08.

We’ve never seen a copy of this record fetch a higher price:

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Jazz Vinyl on eBay: Brilliant Brilliant Corners, et al

Here’s some interesting jazz vinyl to watch on eBay as we head into the Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S.:

This seller has some nice items up now, including: Thelonious Monk, Brilliant Corners, Riverside 226. This is an original pressing with the white label, quite hard to find, and it is in M- condition for both the record and the cover. This one is a bit more than $300 and there’s another day to go and I wouldn’t be surprised if this one breaks into the $1,000 bin. This one is from the same seller: Dizzy Gillespie, Horn of Plenty, Blue Note 5017. This is an original Blue Note Lexington Avenue pressing. The record is in M- condition and the cover looks to be VG+. It hasn’t even hit the $100 mark yet. Correct me if I’m wrong — and I’m sure someone will — but I think this is the only Dizzy record on Blue Note, right?

This seller also has some beauties, including: Sonny Clark, Leapin’ and Lopin’, Blue Note 84091. This is an original stereo pressing, which means it doesn’t have the same cachet or value as a mono pressing, but it is still about $140, closing later today. It is in M- condition with the shrink wrap still on it.

Okay, I need some help figuring this one out:

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The Return of Art, The Blue Note Story, Blue’s Moods

Another day, another batch of jazz vinyl on eBay. What’s up there now?

The Return of Art Pepper, Jazz West 10. This is an original pressing. The record is VG++ and the cover is VG-, which is pretty clear from the picture. The price is $240.50. When I first started collecting jazz records all I cared about was the music: The cover didn’t matter nearly as much. Now, however, that I have more music than I will ever listen to, I find that the condition of the covers is of pretty much equal value. Not that I don’t appreciate an original Blue Note with a little wear on the cover. I do. I also appreciate an original Blue Note with a little wear on the vinyl as well.

Remember I wrote that post about The Blue Note Story, a little pamphlet I found in an old Sidney Bechet record? Well, there’s one on sale on eBay now with an original copy of this LP: Thelonious Monk, Genius of Modern Music, Blue Note 5002. This is an original 10-inch pressing and it is listed in what looks to be M- condition. It also has the pamphlet which is way cool. The current price is $201.50. It will go for a lot more.

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Jenkins, Trane, KD and A New High For Wes

Here’s some more jazz vinyl worth noting:

This one is for the $1,000 bin: John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573. This was an original West 63rd deep groove pressing that was in M- condition for the vinyl and VG++ for the cover. The price was $1,125.

This one certainly got top dollar, close to the $1,000 bin: Kenny Dorham, Whistle Stop, Blue Note 4063. This was an original pressing that looked to be in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The price was $989.

John Coltrane, Coltrane, Prestige 7105. This was an original yellow label New York pressing. The record was in VG++ condition and the cover VG+. The price was $965.

This one was a surprise:

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Guest Column: More Adderley/Evans

Here’s a guest column from Ceedee, a regular commenter here at Jazz Collector, based on the item I wrote yesterday about the Cannonball Adderley/Bill Evans LP Know What I Mean? on Riverside.

“Greetings! The Cannonball/Evans LP is a favorite of mine, just beautiful. Thought you would like this review I wrote some time back for a Martin Logan owner Website under my other alter ego, Miles Ahead. – ceedee

The month of February, 1961 was a busy one for Bill Evans. It saw him finish a recording session with his critically acclaimed trio – that with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian – which was issued as Explorations (Feb. 2)), bolster a date rightfully called a classic by any measure, Oliver Nelson’s Blues And The Abstract Truth (Feb. 23) and also find the time to accompany his old bandmate from the Miles Davis Sextet, Cannonball Adderley. Cut on Feb.21, this was one of three sessions that would eventually yield Know What I Mean? for Riverside. It does not match up to the other dates mentioned (how many records could?), but proves itself worthy of a listen and not just for the Bill Evans fan (not that there’s anything wrong with that!)

Cannonball and Bill were ‘simpatico’ while with Miles — the seminal Kind Of Blue was not yet two years behind them – and their musical bond continues here. Evans’ Waltz For Debby leads off the date, an interesting choice. Nearly six months before

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Odds and Ends and Blue Notes

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?

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Bidding, Losing & Bidding Again

I’ve actually bid on a few records recently, but these days I don’t even get close, unless I want to really gamble on condition, which I don’t. Anyway, I was watching this record on eBay: Walter Davis Jr., Davis Cup, Blue Note 4018. This was an original pressing and it was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. A few hours before the bidding closed it wasn’t getting much action. My theory: Even though the listing described the cover as M-, it didn’t look that good in the photo. I know, however, that when you are taking pictures of black covers you often get a glare that distorts the image and makes it look worse than it actually is. I took a shot and set up my Bid Nip to put in a bid of about $350 with five seconds to go. Hah!. The record

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Price Updates: Trane, Friedman, Blue Notes

Here’s a new one for the $1,000 bin: John Coltrane, Coltrane, Prestige 7105. This was an original pressing with the New York address. It is Coltrane’s first date as a leader, but it’s still surprising to see this one pass the $1,000 mark. This one was in M- condition for the vinyl and near-M- (?) condition for the cover. The price was $1,077.65.

This one almost made the $1,000 bin: Horace Parlan, Us Three, Blue Note 4037. The record and the cover both looked to be in VG++ condition. The price was $912.

I didn’t realize this one had such cachet as a collectible: Don Friedman, Circle Waltz, Riverside 431. The vinyl was M- and the cover was VG++. The price was $255.

This one falls into the same category: When did it become a $200-range record?

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Back on eBay and The Bidding is Busy

Hey, everyone. Seems since I came back everyone stopped using the Reader Forum. It would be a shame if that trend continues, because I find it very useful and, at times, more interesting than my own posts. Nevertheless, I am back and I am back to posting and I am back to looking at records every day on eBay. Which means today I am looking at pretty nice auction from Fred Cohen at the Jazz Record Center, which many of you were also watching in the Reader Forum. Here are some of the choice items, closing soon:

Donald Byrd, Byrd Blows on Beacon Hill, Transition 17. This is an original pressing, labels unattached (of course) with the booklet in beautiful condition. The current price is $1,791. I’m saying the record sells for $3,300. Anyone want to take the over or the under?

There’s also this on Transition:

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