Big Prices, A Missing Record & a Cutout Hole

Cliff JordanWas away for the weekend. Time to catch up on the jazz vinyl auctions I was watching on eBay:

Cliff Jordan, Blue Note 1565. This was an original pressing with the New York 23 labels on both sides. Nice. The record was listed in VG++ condition and the cover was VG+. There were 13 bids and it sold for $1,525.  In better condition it would certainly have broken the $2,000 barrier, as we have previously seen for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.

This one did make it into the $2,000 bin, with plenty to spare: Tommy Flanagan Overseas, Prestige 7134. This was an original New York yellow label pressing listed in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $2,314.

Roy Haynes, Cracklin’ with Booker Ervin, New Jazz 8286. This was an original purple label pressing in M- condition for the record and the cover. It sold for $408.33. Anyone find my copy yet? I’m sure if I sold it (which, of course, I still don’t remember), it was not for more than $400.

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Sanity and Insanity, Redux

Cliff JordanOh, now I see why there was so much discussion on my previous post about Lee Morgan, City Lights, Blue Note 1575. It sold for $1,525. That’s the highest price we’ve seen for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide. I had estimated the value of my copy at $1,000. Perhaps I need to make an adjustment.

This one also ended up in the stratosphere: Cliff Jordan, Cliff Craft, Blue Note 1582. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $1,510.

I’ve been thinking a little bit about some of the judgments we (or I) have been making about some of the prices being paid for non-original pressings or for prices that seem to defy normal expectations. People can pay whatever they want for these records and, in the end, who’s to say that they won’t get tremendous enjoyment and satisfaction out of a United Artists Jutta Hipp Blue Note or an original Kind of Blue with a ringwear-pocked cover. And maybe even these records will turn out to be a good investment years from now and we’ll all look back and regret not loading up on later Blue Note pressings.

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Some Surprises in the Bidding?

hankLet’s catch up on some of the jazz vinyl auctions we’ve been watching on eBay:

Hank Mobley, Mobley’s 2nd Message, Prestige 7082. This was an original pressing with the deep grooves and the New York address. It had a promo label stamp and perhaps a small cutout hole, which the seller described as a “worm ” hole, a term new to us in this context. The record was listed in VG++ condition and the cover was VG+. The final price was $1,075.

A lot of people have commented with appropriate surprise at some of the relatively low prices on the auctions we were watching from the Jazz Record Center, including: Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore, Blowing in From Chicago, Blue Note 1549. This was not listed as a first pressing, but it seemed to clearly be an early pressing, with one side having the original New York 23 label and the other having a West 63rd label. The record and cover both looked to be in M- condition. The price was $373. I’d have paid more if I was paying attention.

On the other hand, this one sold for a higher price that I would have perhaps expected although, to be fair, the prices on these 4100-series Blue Notes have been skyrocketing: Herbie Hancock, Empyrean Isles, Blue Note 4175. This was an original pressing that looked to be in immaculate M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $583.56.

 

 

Heading For The $1,000 Bin?

cliffWe’re now watching some jazz vinyl from the current Jazz Record Center auction, which closes tomorrow. Here’s some of the records on our watch list, starting with: Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore, Blowing in From Chicago, Blue Note 1549. This is an early deep-groove pressing with the West 63rd label on one side and the New York 23 label on the other. The record looks to be in beautiful M- condition, and the cover looks equally nice. The current price is $260. I would expect this to sell for a lot more. If it doesn’t, perhaps I will be in the mix.

Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus, Prestige 7079. This is an original New York yellow-label pressing. The record and cover both seem to be in at least VG++ condition, based on the descriptions. The price is currently in the $700 range.

Miles Davis, Volume 1, Blue Note 1501. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing in what looks to be in near-pristine condition, M- for both the record and the cover. The bidding is at around $200. We’ve seen this record sell for as much as $1,007 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide. Will this one match that? We’ll find out tomorrow.

 

 

 

the Rise and Rise of Blue Notes

Cliff CraftSomebody mentioned this record in one of the comments, but it is certainly worth repeating in a post and pointing out so that it is searchable: Cliff Jordan, Cliff Craft, Blue Note 1582. This was an original pressing in M- condition, including the possibly original loose bag around the cover. The auction closed yesterday and the final price was $2,500. Wow. That’s the most we’ve ever seen for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, although not the first time the price has surpassed $2,000.

Let’s make it a Blue Note day and look at two other auctions closing in the next few days:

Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. This looks to be an original deep-groove West 63rd St. pressing. The record is listed in  VG condition and the cover is VG++. The bidding is in the $300 range and there are four days left in the auction. Wouldn’t be surprised to see this make the $1,000 bin, despite the VG vinyl.

Joe Henderson, Inner Urge, Blue Note 4189. This looks to be an original pressing in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. It too has four days left and the bidding is already up in the $250 range. Do yo think people are spending this kind of money for the music, for the investment, or for both? Blue Note prices seem to just rise and rise and rise.

 

 

Three Tenors

SonnyThere were many records we were watching this past week on eBay, so let’s get right to it, starting with Sonny Rollins Plays, Period 1204. This was an original deep groove pressing in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. There were just two bids, but the record sold for $542.10. I am a big Sonny fan, as most of you know, and I think this is the only 12-inch Rollins record from the ’50s or ’60s where I am still looking for an original pressing. I’ll keep looking because the price of this one was too much for me.

Not sure when this became a $240 record, but apparently it did: John Coltrane, Live at the Village Vanguard, Impulse 10. This was an original orange-label pressing we presume, although the information in the listing was all screwed up. It was listed in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover, assuming that was the description for this record. Someone took a chance and won the auction at $239.

And, for the $1,000 bin we have Cliff Jordan, Cliff Craft, Blue Note 1582. This looks to be an original deep groove pressing with the West 63rd address. The record and cover are both in VG++ condition. The record sold for $1,275.

 

 

Finding the Right Price: Some LPs Sell, Some Don’t

Clifford JordanLet’s catch up on some items we’ve been watching on eBay, starting with: Cliff Jordan, Blowing in From Chicago, Blue Note 1549. This is a deep groove pressing with two different labels: One has the New York 23, the other doesn’t. What does that make this? A very early second pressing? This one is in VG++ condition for the record and probably VG+ for the cover, based on the seller’s description. The auction closes in about four hours and, so far, there are no bids with a start price in the $550 range. I know the seller is a reader of Jazz Collector, so, if it doesn’t sell and you want to make a trade, you know where to find me.

We thought this one would end up in the $2,000 bin, but it came up just short: Lee Morgan Sextet, Blue Note 1541. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing in M- condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. Very nice. It sold for $1,845.

Here’s another that may not sell: Sonny Rollins Plays, Period 1204. This is an original deep groove pressing. The record and the cover are both listed in VG+ condition. The start price is around $500 and so far there are no takers with four days to do.

This one did not sell and has been relisted:

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Feeling Groovy?

Now that we’re back home catching up, here’s an update on some jazz vinyl we were watching on eBay, starting with: Red Garland, Groovy, Prestige 7113. This was an original New York yellow label pressing. The record and the cover were in M- condition. It sold for $516, quite a large number for a Red Garland Trio record. Does anyone out there have knowledge and/or a theory why this one would be so highly prized by collectors. The seller was Atomic Records, so I could have visited the store and waved goodbye to this one last week.

The Amazing Bud Powell Volume 2, Blue Note 5041. This was an original 10-inch pressing. The vinyl as probably VG, based on the seller’s description, and the cover was VG+. Great cover. It sold for $317.

Cliff Jordan, Blue Note 1565. This was an original pressing in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $799.99. I mentioned that I was perhaps interested in bidding for this, and I do believe $800 is a fair price. But paying top dollar is not how I’ve ever chosen to build my collection, and no sense starting now.

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Live From LA: Blue Notes

We continue our Western swing and we are now in Los Angeles where we may have time to peruse a record store or two today. Any recommendations? In the meantime, we are back on eBay and watching some jazz vinyl with great interest, seeing as how we won a few bucks in Vegas, starting with a few Blue Notes:  Cliff Jordan, Blue Note 1565. This looks to be an original West 63rd Street pressing with the New York 23 labels. The record is listed in VG++ condition and the cover is VG+. The bidding closings later today and is currently in the $400 range. Hmmm. This is a gap in my collection.

Lee Morgan, The Cooker, Blue Note 1578. This is also an original pressing and it is listed as Ex+ for the record and Ex for the cover. This one closes tomorrow and the bidding is in the $500 range. This is also a gap in my collection, but I have a feeling this one is going to go for $700-plus, too rich for my blood.

Dizzy Reece, Star Bright, Blue Note 4023. This is another original pressing. The record is in M- condition and the cover is in M- condition. The start price is about $400 and so far there are no bidders with three days to go.

 

 

eBaying: Jazz Vinyl That Sold, Others That Didn’t

Let’s catch up on some more jazz vinyl auctions we are/were watching, starting with: Cliff Jordan, Blue Note 1565. This was an original pressing listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It looked like quite a beauty and, in fact, may still be available. This one received a top bid of $1,525, yet is failed to meet the seller’s reserve price. I know the market is the market and sellers have every right to hold out for top value, but I still find it hard to fathom wanting to pay more than $1,500 for a single record and still being unable to purchase it.

Here’s a fine looking Blue Note for you: J. R. Monterose, Blue Note 1536. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing that looks to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The auction closes in three days and the bidding is in the $565 range. Can’t imagine this will sell for less than $1,000, so the question is how much more than $1,000 will it fetch.

This one isn’t regarded as a collectible anymore (clearly), but I kept an eye on it wondering if anyone would even want it at all:

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