jazzcollector.com » Contemporary Records

Newcomers For the Jazz Collector Price Guide

Al — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:57:14 +0000

Here are some records that don’t often make it to the Jazz Collector Price Guide.

I’ve never thought of this record as a collectible: The Standard Sonny Rollins, RCA 3355. This was an original pressing and it was in M- condition. It sold for $122.50. It was a stereo pressing and I’m wondering, perhaps, if it is as much an audiophile collectible as much as a jazz collectible. I’m a big Rollins fan, but this is not among my favorite Sonny LPs.

How about this one: Presenting Red Mitchell, Contemporary 3538. This is an original deep groove mono pressing with the yellow label. The vinyl was listed in M- condition and the

cover was VG++. The price was $139.50.

The market for this record, and others of its era, seems to be slipping: Flip Phillips, Flip Wails, Clef 691. This was an original pressing. The vinyl was VG++ and the cover was VG+. The price was $52.50. This price was probably aided by the fact that it has a nice cover illustration by David Stone Martin.

Catching Up: Walter Davis on UA, Jackie, Sonny

Al — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:52:54 +0000

Here are a few items we’ve been watching on eBay. Given our recent interest in later pressings, particularly Blue Notes, we were curious about this record: Walter Davis, Davis Cup, Blue Note 4018. An original pressing of this would normally sell for more than $1,000, and we’ve recorded one instance of this record fetching $2,000 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide. This record was not of that distinctive lineage: This was a United Artists pressing, similar, unfortunately, to the one in my collection. It sold for $34, which seems about right, unless you’re the seller bobdjukik and can somehow sell it for $400 or more.

This was from the same seller, but it was an original: Jackie McLean, Swing, Swang, Swingin’, Blue Note 4024. This one was in VG+ condition for the vinyl and VG or VG+ for the cover. The price was $273.60.

Here’s one of my favorite Sonny Rollins records, at a reasonable price:

Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders, Contemporary 7564. This was an original stereo pressing with the deep groove and heavy vinyl. I know some collectors on this site recently discussed the quality of Contemporary recordings, and I always found this one to be particularly well-recorded. Great Rollins as well. This one was in M- condition for the vinyl and VG+ or so for the cover. It’s hard to find an original of this one without some wear on the cover. This copy sold for $113.50.

Prices Fluctuate, As Always

Al — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:01:46 +0000

In light of all the discussion about things slowing down on eBay, I’m looking for an explanation for this one: Barney Kessel, The Poll Winners, Contemporary 3535. This was an original pressing. The record was M- and the cover VG+. It sold for $79, quite a bit more than you would normally expect. Just wondering, am I missing something?

For the Price Guide: Sonny Clark, Dizzy Reece, Monk

Al — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:52:04 +0000

Since we work during the week, we often use the weekend to update the Jazz Collector Price Guide. Here are a few of the items will be adding after we complete this post:

Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This as an original West 63rd Street pressing. The record was VG++ and so was the cover. The price was $747.

Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Contemporary 3532. This was an original yellow label mono pressing. The record was VG++ and the cover was VG+. Price: $240.50

Hank Mobley, Workout, Blue Note 4080. This was a mono pressing with the New York USA label. The record and cover were M- and the price was $335.

Lester Young, Jazz Giants ’56, Norgran 1056. This was an original yellow label pressing in M- condition, record and cover. The price was $283.

Yusef Lateef, Sounds of Yusef, Prestige 7122. We tracked two copies of this. Both were in M- condition and both had original New York labels. The prices were $171.30 and $159.99.

Donald Byrd, Byrd in Hand, Blue Note 4019. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing. The record was VG+ and the cover was M-.. The price was $225. 50.

We’re also adding a couple of Blue Notes from Dizzy Reece: Star Bright, Blue Note 4023. This was an original pressing. The record was M- and the cover was VG+. The price was $304.50. Also, Dizzy Reece, Sounding Off, Blue Note 4033. This was an original pressing in M- condition, record and cover. Price: $798.88

Billie Holiday, Jazz Recital, Clef 718. This was an original pressing in M- condition. The price was $112.50.

Finally, there is Thelonious Monk, Monk’s Music, Riverside 242. This was an original white label pressing in M- condition, both record and cover. The price was $710.07.

Latest Prices: Lee Morgan on Blue Note, Art Pepper, Bird

Al — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:51:30 +0000

And here are still more items for the Jazz Collector Price Guide:

Lee Morgan Sextet, Blue Note 1541. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The record was in VG+ condition and the cover was VG. The price was $565.

Miles Davis, Steamin’, Prestige 7200. This was an original pressing with the New Jersey label. The record and cover were M- and the price was $123.50.

Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore, Blowin’ in From Chicago, Blue Note 1549. This was an original

with the West 63rd Street label. The record and cover were both VG+. Price: $393

Mal Waldron, The Quest, New Jazz 8269. This was an original purple label. The record was M- and the cover was VG++. The price was $256.

Sonny Rollins, A Night at the Village Vanguard, Blue Note 1581. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing. The record and cover were listed as VG++. The price was $372.89.

Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Contemporary 3532. This was an original yellow label pressing in M- condition. The price was $707.99.

Charlie Parker, Bird on 52nd Street, Jazz Workshop 501. This was an original pressing. The record was VG+ and the cover was VG++. Price: $114.50

Gigi Gryce, The Hap’nings, New Jazz 8246. This was an original pressing with the purple label and the deep groove. The record was M- and the cover was VG+. The price was $124.50.

More on EBay Today

Al — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:21:14 +0000

Here are a few other items we’re watching on eBay today. Actually, we’ll start with an item that we’re selling: Hampton Hawes, For Real, Contemporary 3589. This is an original yellow label pressing in VG+/VG condition. It is currently priced at $25. Also noteworthy about this album is the touching obituary for bassist Scott La Faro, who was killed in a car accident July 6, 1961 as the liner notes to the album were being printed. There’s also a nice picture of La Faro on the back cover. We have several other items closing today and tomorrow, so please take a look.

From other sellers, here are some items worth watching:

Miles Davis, Relaxin’, Prestige 7129. This is a New York pressing in M- condition and is priced about about $160. Benny Golson, Gone With Golson, New Jazz 8235. This has the purple label, although it’s not clear whether it’s a deep groove. The record and cover are VG++ and the current price is about $115.