Back To Blue Note

Where were we? Oh, yes, eBay. Tina Brooks, True Blue, Blue Note 4041. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing from the Jazz Record Center, part of a nice auction that closed last week. Based on the description I would count this as M- for both the record and the cover. The final price was $2,275. Before eBay was around to show us what the market really looks like, I used to think that True Blue was the ultimate Blue Note collectible, and for a while that did seem to be the case. But it has since been surpassed in desirability — and price — but at least a couple of other records, to wit: Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568. This was an original pressing with the New York 23 label on side two, which makes it uber-original in the eyes of many collectors. Perhaps of equal excitement, this was a promo copy. The record was listed in M- condition and the cover was listed as EX+. The final price was $7,970, which may be a record for any jazz record, depending upon how you view these things. Quite incredible, don’t you agree.

Read more

Catching Up: More Blue Notes & Prestiges

We’re updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide, and here are some odds and ends we’ve been watching:

Here’s a Blue Note you don’t see too often: Harold Vick, Steppin’ Out, Blue Note 4138. This was an original New York USA pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $373.

Someone on the Reader Forum was looking for Booker Ervin records. Could you go wrong with this one? Booker Ervin, Groovin’ High, Prestige 7417. There wasn’t much description in the listing, but there was just one bidder and the price was $9.99. This won’t make the price guide, but it probably made one collector quite happy.

The price on this also seemed a bit low: Lee Konitz, Prestige 7004. This was an original New York yellow label in VG+ condition for he record and the cover. It sold for $87.59.

Here’s a few more Blue Notes:

Read more

For the Price Guide: A Blue Note Bonanza

We’ve been quite busy updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide, so we will do a few posts over the next few days highlighting some of the new entries, starting with some Blue Notes, of course. There are no links to these, FYI.

Kenny Drew, Undercurrent, Blue Note 4059. This was an original pressing with the West 63rd Street address and just one side deep groove. The record was listed in VG+ condition for both the vinyl and the cover and it sold for $285.

Baby Face Willette, Stop and Listen, Blue Note 4084. This was an original pressing with the NY USA label. the record looked to be in VG++ condition for both the vinyl and the cover. It sold for $200.

This one sold for a big price, but it didn’t seem to be an original pressing:

Read more