Four More Blue Notes For the $1,000 Bin
May 5, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Those Blue Notes I was coveting the other day? Even if I had bid, which I considered, I would have been out of the running quite early. Several of these broke into the $1,000 bin. Here are some results.
Jutta Hipp, At The Hickory House Volume 2, Blue Note 1516. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing that was in perhaps VG++ condition for the record and VG for the cover. It sold for $1,402.88.
J.R. Monterose, Blue Note 1536. This was also an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The record was VG+ and the cover was probably VG++. The price was $1,472.
John Jenkins With Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing. The record and cover were both in VG++ or so condition. The price was $1,107.
Here Comes Louis Smith, Blue Note 1584. This was an original pressing in VG++ condition for the record and M- for the cover. It sold for $1,025.
Four Blue Notes, four $1,000-plus jazz records. Whew.
Tags: J. R. Monterose, John Jenkins, Jutta Hipp, Kenny Burrell, Louis Smith
Jazz Vinyl: Andy Warhol Cover, Two Sabus & More
Apr 23, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Let’s catch up on some of the jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:
There was that Kenny Burrell LP with the Andy Warhol cover: Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1543. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing in VG+ condition. It was also noteworthy that a previous owner had the lack of foresight and/or stupidity to write his name on the cover. A Warhol cover. Mmmmm. Bad move. I would imagine the writing on the cover had some impact on the price, but perhaps not. It sold for $1,155.
There there were the two copies of Sabu, Palo Congo, Blue Note 1561. This was the one that was in M- condition with a $999 start price. It wound up getting six bids and selling for $1,358.01. The other copy, Sabu, was VG+ for the record and VG for the cover and had the misprint of two Side One labels. Some people find those to be more interesting because they are more rare. As for me, I much prefer to have the proper labels on the proper sides. This copy sold for $460.
This one is from the seller funkyousounds, who is generating a lot of discussion on the earlier post, and how has a large number of highly collectible items closing in the next few hours:
Tags: Andy Warhol, Dexter Gordon, Dootone Records, Hank Mobley, Kenny Burrell, Lee Morgan, Sabu
Watching Some Tempting 1500 Series Blue Notes
Apr 20, 2012 Blue Note
Here’s a Blue Note you don’t see too often on eBay and now there are two for sale at the same time. This one will sell: Sabu, Palo Congo, Blue Note 1561. This is an original pressing in VG+ condition for the vinyl and VG for the cover. The auction ends tomorrow and the bidding is now in the $150 range with four bids. This one may not sell at all: Sabu, Palo Congo, Blue Note 1561. This one is an original pressing in near mint condition for both the record and the cover. There are more than two days left on the auction and no bidding yet. The start price is $999.99.
Blue Note 1561 would fill a gap in my personal collection and so would this: Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1543. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing — the last of the Lexingtons — and it is listed in VG+ condition for the record and VG for the cover. This is one of the Burrell’s with an Andy Warhol cover. The price is currently at about $200 with a day and a half or so to go. Hmmm. Tempting.But then again, it’s always tempting to try to fill in the gaps, isn’t it?
Here’s another temptation:
Tags: Andy Warhol, Hank Mobley, Kenny Burrell, Lee Morgan, Sabu
Vinyl Tracking From the Jazz Record Center
Mar 7, 2012 Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide, Promo Copies
Here are a few more results of jazz vinyl auctions by the Jazz Record Center last week. Just in case anyone is interested, I have no vested interest in these auctions or special relationship with the Jazz Record Center. I like to watch their auctions as a bellwether because they are probably the most reputable seller in the market.
Working With the Miles Davis Quintet, Prestige 7166. This was an original yellow label pressing with the New Jersey address. It was a review copy in mint condition. The price was $472.35. There was a time when you could get the Miles Prestige records relatively inexpensively, but not anymore.
Here’s another nice one from Prestige: Stan Getz and Zoot Sims, The Brothers, Prestige 7022. This was an original New York yellow label pressing in M- condition for the record and probably VG++ for the cover. This one has the frame cover. The price was $234.72. How often are you going to find a record like this in this kind of condition? Nice.
Here’s a Blue Note that, surprisingly, did not break into the $1,000 bin.
Tags: Fats Navarro, Jazz Vinyl, John Jenkins, Kenny Burrell, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims
A Piece of Silver, A Tuba and Two Guitars
Feb 24, 2012 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Prestige
Here’s some of the jazz vinyl we’re watching on eBay, starting with: Horace Silver Quintet, Blue Note 5058. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing that looks to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. We’ve seen this one sell for as much as $537 in worse condition in the Jazz Collector Price Guide. This one has a start price of $99 and it also has a reserve. So far there are no bidders and there are only two days to go. I imagine someone will take a chance on this great record, but who knows.
Never figured out why there wasn’t more of a market for this one: Ray Draper Quintet Featuring John Coltrane, New Jazz 8228. This is a nice record, with Coltrane doing Sonny Rollins’ Paul’s Pal, which appears on Tenor Madness, which also features Coltrane. Perhaps it’s the idea of a tuba player as the lead artist. This one is an original pressing and it is listed in M- condition for the record and the cover. The current price is $111 and there’s only one bidder.
Kenny Burrell and Jimmy Raney, Two Guitars, Prestige 7119. This is an original New York yellow label and it looks to be in VG++ condition for both the record and the vinyl. Wouldn’t mind having a copy of this one, but the price is already out of my range at $292.
Tags: Horace Silver, Jimmy Raney, John Coltrane, Kenny Burrell, Ray Draper
Today’s Jazz Vinyl: Burrell, Warhol, A Sealed Book
Jan 19, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Let’s up date some of the Jazz Vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay this week, starting with: Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1543. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing — the last of the Lexingtons — and it has the Andy Warhol cover. Quite a find. The record was listed in M- condition and the cover, the original framed cover, was also in M- condition. It sold for $2,025 and I’m sure will be a welcome addition to the buyer’s collection.
One of our regular readers pointed this one out to me, thinking the price was inordinately highly, but I’m not sure I agree. For original Blue Notes in M- condition, there seems to be no limit these days: Horace Parlan, Up and Down, Blue Note 4082. This one sold for $665.55.
This one was still sealed, but was it the original seal? If so, how would you be able to tell?
Tags: Andy Warhol, Booker Little, Candid Records, Clifford Jordan, Horace Parlan, John Gilmore, Kenny Burrell
Monday Morning Blue Notes
Jan 16, 2012 Blue Note
Lot of interesting jazz vinyl we’re watching now on eBay, so let’s get right into it. This one is closing fairly soon: Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. What’s the market for a rare record like this in not very good condition, actually in VG minus condition? So far the bidding on this one has topped $125. I’d love to have this record back in my collection — yes, I sold a pristine copy 20 years ago — but not in this condition. If I can’t listen to the record, I don’t necessarily need to own it just to fill a space in the collection.
This one is in better condition, but hard to actually give it a grade based on seller’s description. My guess from the description and pictures that it’s what I would grade a VG+ for the record and the cover: Johnny Griffin, A Blowing Session, Blue Note 1559. This one has already topped $800. As I mentioned recently, I am now the proud owner of an original pressing of this record, after all of these years of collection. Amazing how rare these things are, when you think about it. I could have paid top dollar over the years, I guess, to acquire a copy of this record, but in the normal course of things — going to record stores, record shows, garage sales flea markets, looking for records in most cities across the U.S. — in more than 40 years I had never come across an original copy of this record, and many others, for what I considered to be a reasonable price at the time.
Tags: Cliff Jordan, Jazz Vinyl, John Gilmore, John Jenkins, Johnny Griffin, Kenny Burrell, Lee Morgan
Updating the Jazz Vinyl Price Guide
Dec 30, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
I’ve been spending the entire morning catching up on the Jazz Collector Price Guide and, if time allows, this weekend I will make a lot of additions and finally take the database to more than 5,000 records. Quite impressive, if you ask me, since I’ve logged every one of those by myself, by hand, typing in each entry one by one. Here are some of the recent items that will be added and I hope to do another post before the end of the year with some of the older items I may have missed during the past few months.
Brew Moore in Europe, Debut 127. This is the original Danish pressing, quite hard to find. The record was in VG++ condition and the cover was M-. The price was $373.
Here Comes Louis Smith, Blue Note 1584. This is one of those where you had to look carefully at the listing. The record is listed in Ex+/N- condition and the cover as Ex. The picture shows that the cover has tape all around it, so if I were grading the best I’d give it is a VG-. It would also make me wary about the condition of the vinyl, if the seller considers this cover as excellent. Potential buyers had some of the same concerns, it seems. The record sold for $495.
Tags: Andy Warhol, Brew Moore, Debut Records, Kenny Burrell, Larry Young, Lee Morgan, Louis Smith
No Holiday For Watching Jazz Vinyl
Dec 26, 2011 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
It may be the holiday season around much of the world, but eBay never takes a vacation. Neither, apparently, does Jazz Collector. Here is some interesting jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay. We’ll start with the $1,000 been. This one is still for sale: Hank Mobley, Hank, Blue Note 1560. This is an original pressing that’s listed in near mint condition for both the record and the cover. The price is already more than $1,100 and there are still two days to go. This is also a regular to the $1,000 bin: Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225. This was an original pressing, deep grooves, purple label, and it was listed in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $1,415. Merry Christmas for someone. John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573. This was an original pressing that was either M- or very close to M-, based on the seller’s description. It sold for $1,156.99.
Here are a few interesting items closing in the next day or so:
Tags: Giant Steps, Hank Mobley, Jazz Collector Price Guide, John Coltrane, John Jenkins, Jutta Hipp, Kenny Burrell, Kenny Dorham, Sonny Rollins
JRC Auction: A Little Trane, A Few Blue Notes
Dec 8, 2011 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl
It’s always interesting to watch the Jazz Record Center auctions on eBay and the latest is closing today. Here are a few of the items:
John Jenkins and Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573. This is an original pressing that looks to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The start price on this was $1,000 and there is a bid on it, so it will be sold and will enter the virtual $1,000 bin.
John Coltrane, Giant Steps, Atlantic 1311. Here’s a more clear explanation of this than we’ve heard before. Jazz Record Center refers to this as the “pinwheels” label, although we’ve most often seen it described as “bulls-eye.” It is described as an “original deep-groove second press,” which kind of makes sense. It’s still valued among collectors, even though it is not a first press. This one looks to be in M- condition for the record and the cover and is already at more than $170. Speaking of original Coltranes on Atlantic: John Coltrane and Milt Jackson, Bags and Trane, Atlantic 1368. This is an original mono pressing with the red and purple labels, although I’m still not 100 percent sure how to distinguish it as a first pressing. This one is in M- condition and so far there are no takers at $50.
Tags: Atlantic Records, Jazz Record Center, Jazz Vinyl, Joe Henderson, John Coltrane, John Jenkins, Kenny Burrell, Milt Jackson, Paul Chambers
Jazz For A Snowy Day
Oct 29, 2011 Blue Note
Hard to believe, but it’s actually snowing here in New York. A perfect day to take a look at what’s on eBay.
Be still my heart: One of the top priorities on my want list, but the price . . . . Lou Donaldson, Quartet, Quintet, Sextet, Blue Note 1537. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing and it looks to be in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It is now priced at $560 and it will close sometime today, probably in the plus-$1,000 range. Too much for me. I have a Japanese pressing of this record and it’s always been a favorite, “If I Love Again,” mmmmmm. Anyone out there who has a spare, I have some good stuff to trade.
How about a couple of Blue Notes with Andy Warhol covers: Kenny Burrell, Blue Lights Volume One, Blue Note 1596. This is described as an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The current price is $520 with just about an hour to go. And, if you want to buy it’s brother: Kenny Burrell, Blue Lights Volume 2, Blue Note 1597. This is from the same seller, it is described as being in the same M- condition as the other one and it is also at $520. Also from the same seller is this beauty: Lou Donaldson, Sunny Side Up, Blue Note 4036. This is an original pressing with the original cover. It is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover and is currently priced at $338.
Tags: Andy Warhol, Kenny Burrell, Lou Donaldson
Jazz Vinyl Update: Jackie, Mobley, Burrell, Warhol
Sep 20, 2011 Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
Here are some recent jazz vinyl sales that we somehow missed. This one is among the rarest of the rare and collectors seem to covet it regardless of condition: Jackie McLean, The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601. This one was in VG condition for the vinyl and VG- for the cover. It sold for $688.
Hank Mobley, Mobley’s Message, Prestige 7061. This was an original pressing with the New York address. The record was in VG++ condition and the cover was VG++ as well. The price was $665. I remember this as one of the few collectibles for which I paid top-dollar at Dayton’s back in the early 1980s. In those days, top dollar for this was about $80, and psychologically, that was a tough hump to get over for me, but I spent it. Then, I wound up selling it a few years later for about $200 and my copy now is a Japanese pressing.
I would have thought this next one would have fetched a lot more money, but the listing was a little confusing and the condition of the cover wasn’t described:
Tags: Ad Lib Records, Andy Warhol, Hank Mobley, Jackie McLean, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Kenny Burrell
Jazz Vinyl on eBay: Some Blue Notes & A Nice Norgran
Aug 16, 2011 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran
I logged onto eBay last night, found a number of interesting records to watch and, with great pride, was able to go to sleep without slipping into the temptation of placing any snipe bids. Progress, right? Anyway, here is some of the jazz vinyl we were watching that closed yesterday:
John Jenkins, welcome to the $1,000 bin: John Jenkins and Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573. This was an original deep groove West 63rd Street pressing and it was in M- condition for the record and VG for the cover. It was a reputable seller, there were 11 bids and more than 450 page views and the price was $1,136.55. Not bad in a soft market if, indeed, this can be called a soft market.
Actually, perhaps in retrospect I should have put in a snipe for this one: Sonny Red, Out of the Blue, Blue Note 4034. This was an original pressing in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. Quite a fair price, depending, of course, on what VG+ means to the buyer and seller. As we’ve learned long ago, VG+ is in the eye of the beholder. I had this record once upon a time but traded it away in a lopsided trade that favored the other guy. Not sure what I was thinking at the time, but I’m more knowledgeable now. So this is one that got away. Getting it back for $283 or so, which is what this one sold for, would be quite a coup in my eyes.
Tags: George Wallington, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Jazz Vinyl, John Jenkins, Kenny Burrell, Lester Young, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Red
eBaying: Burrell, Warhol, Newk and More
Aug 3, 2011 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
Watching some nice records on eBay and, for now, the prices are not so astonomical. Of course, as they say, astronomical is in the eye of the beholder. Here are a few:
Kenny Burrell, Blue Lights Volume 1, Blue Note 1596. This looks to be an original pressing with the West 63rd Street address and deep grooves. It has, of course, the Andy Warhol cover, which makes it quite collectible and often quite expensive. This one looks to be in M- condition for the vinyl and probably VG++ or M- for the cover. There’s one day left to bid and the price is about $535.
Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. This looks to be an original deep groove pressing. The seller lists it as M-, but he does mention some marks on the vinyl. The cover is listed as VG+. There are four days to go and the price is still less than $150. We’ve seen this record sell for more than $3,000 in the past, so we would expect it to go quite a bit higher, likely into the $1,000 bin.
Sonny Rollins, Moving Out, Prestige 7058. Not my favorite Rollins LP, but an original Prestige right in the sweet spot of the label. This one has been posted by Euclid Records and is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover, with the adjective “gorgeous” bandied about in the description. This is already close to $500 and there are still five days to go, so perhaps this one will reach the astronomical stage.
Another Blue Note:
Tags: Andy Warhol, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Kenny Burrell, Sonny Clark, Sonny Rollins, Walter Davis
A Potpourri Of Collectible (And Not) Jazz Vinyl
Mar 10, 2011 Blue Note, Norgran, Prestige
Here are some odds and ends we’ve been watching:
Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1543. This was an original pressing with the Lexington Avenue address, the last of the Lexington Blue Notes. It also has the cover by Andy Warhol. The seller has his own grading system and he labeled the record and cover in the VG++ range, but based on the description of the record and his system, it sounded to me like the record was more like VG and the cover was somewhere between VG and VG+. It sold for $510.
I’d have thought this would see more action, but it didn’t: Stan Getz, Interpretations, Norgran 1000. This was an original pressing with the deep grooves and yellow label and it was listed in M- condition for the vinyl. The cover looked to be about VG+. The start price for this was $50 and there was only one bid and it sold for $50. Someone got a great record for a nice price.
Here’s another great record often available at a nice price: Sonny Stitt, 37 Minutes and 48 Seconds, Roost 2219. The early Stitt Roost LPS like this and Sonny Stitt and the New Yorkers feature
Tags: Duke Jordan, Gene Ammons, Kenny Burrell, Roost Records, Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz
Jazz Vinyl To Watch: Parlan, Dex, Mobley, Burrell
Mar 3, 2011 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay
Lots of interesting jazz vinyl to watch on eBay.
Here’s one that will soon enter the $1,000 bin: Horace Parlan, Us Three, Blue Note 4037. This is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover and it is described as an original pressing, although a close-up of the labels always helps. There are a couple of days left on the bidding for this one and the price is already at $1,000. The same seller his this one: Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan, Peckin’ Time, Blue Note 1574. This one is also listed as an original pressing. The record is in M- condition and the cover looks to be about VG+. The price is currently at $850.
Dexter Gordon, Daddy Plays the Horn, Bethlehem 36. This is an original deep groove mono pressing with the red label. The record and the cover are both listed in VG++ condition. The price is already more than $300. The same seller has this one: Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550. This is an original pressing. It’s only in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover, but it is already bid up to more than $500.
Here’s another Andy Warhol cover:
Tags: Andy Warhol, Bethlehem Records, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Horace Parlan, Kenny Burrell, Lee Morgan
Random Notes: Mobley, Byrd, Warhol
Feb 24, 2011 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
This one was in VG- or VG condition for the vinyl with surface noise in the ballads: Hank Mobley Quartet, Blue Note 5066. The cover was listed in VG condition and it had clear marks on the back. It sold for $710. Indeed, this is a hot record these days. Based on the sale of a similar record last week, I thought this one would fetch more: Donald Byrd, Parisian Thoroughfare, Brunswick 87904. This was an original French pressing. The record and the cover were both in VG+ condition. There was just one bidder and the price was $299. As I type this I am listening to my original pressing of George Wallington, Jazz For the Carriage Trade, Prestige 7032. I tend to agree with Rudolf, Donald Byrd is not a favorite player, but Phil Woods just wails on this LP. Here’s another Andy Warhol cover available for those watching such items: Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1543. This has a Lexington Avenue address but it’s not clear whether it’s a deep groove, flat edge original. It probably is, but I’d ask if I were to bid. The seller clearly does not have experience selling jazz records because it’s really tough to gauge the condition and vintage. He does know enough to have a start price of 4500. No bidders so far.
Tags: Andy Warhol, Donald Byrd, Hank Mobley, Kenny Burrell
More Jazz Vinyl Updates and A Couple of Surprises
Feb 22, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Here’s an update on some of the jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:
Let’s start with the $1,000 bin, this one from last week: Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. This was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $1,675. Hmm, in the Jazz Collector Price Guide we’ve had four or five of these sell for more than $3,000. What’s going on? Is there something in the listing that would indicate this is not an original pressing? Looks good to me. I know the listing would have been enhanced by more and better pictures, but still. . .
As we saw last week, prices for certain records with Andy Warhol covers seem to be rising. Here’s an example: Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1543. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing — the last original Lexington Avenue, right? — and the record was VG but the cover was VG+. It sold for $833. That’s the highest we’ve seen in the Jazz Collector Price Guide for any Burrell record.
Here’s one that provides an answer to a question we posed the other day:
Tags: Ad Lib Records, Andy Warhol, Hank Mobley, Jackie McLean, Kenny Burrell, Liberty REcords, Sonny Clark
Shades of Blue Note
Jan 13, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
We’ll continue to keep an eye on Blue Note today. Here are some recent sales of Blue Note jazz vinyl:
Freddie Redd, Shades of Redd, Blue Note 4045. This was an original deep groove pressing that looked to be in beautiful M- condition. I’ve always wanted an original copy of these record, since it is a personal favorite and I’ve only owned a Japanese pressing for many years. One day I’m sure I’ll find an original at a price I would be comfortable paying, which was not this copy, which sold for $1,282 from my friends at Music Matters in California.
Curtis Fuller, Bone & Bari, Blue Note 1572. This was also an original pressing from a reliable dealer. The record was in what looked to be VG++ condition, while the cover was listed as being “in very good shape” which sounds better than VG and, from the pictures, also seemed to look better than VG. If I were bidding, based on the description, I’d be disappointed if the record wasn’t around VG++, which is probably what the winning bidder assumed as well, since the record sold for $710.
Tags: Curtis Fuller, Freddie Redd, Hank Mobley, Kenny Burrell, Lee Morgan
Watching Some Blue Note Records on eBay
Dec 4, 2010 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
Here are some Blue Notes we’ve been watching on eBay:
Lee Morgan Volume 3, Blue Note 1557. This was an original first pressing that was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover The pictures in the listing were pristine and clear. The record sold for $2,253.88. This Lee Morgan didn’t do quite as well: Lee Morgan, Lee-Way, Blue Note 4034. The record was in M- condition and the cover was VG+. The price was $442.89.
Here’s one that features Sonny Clark on piano: Curtis Fuller Volume 3, Blue Note 1583. This was an original pressing in M- condition for the vinyl and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $612.69.
This one did not reach the seller’s reserve price: The Prophetic Herbie Nichols Volume 1, Blue Note 5068. This was an original 10-inch LP that was listed in M- condition for the record and what looked to be VG++ condition for the cover. The top bid was $255, so we won’t know what the reserve price was.
This one had sold for more than $600 last week, but not this time:
Tags: Andy Warhol, Clifford Brown, Curtis Fuller, Herbie Nichols, Kenny Burrell, Lee Morgan
Jazz Vinyl This Week: A New High For Shorter
Sep 29, 2010 Blue Note, Prestige, Verve
Here is some of the jazz vinyl we’ve been watching this week on eBay:
Wayne Shorter, JuJu, Blue Note 4182. This was an original New York USA mono pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The price was $537. This is the highest price we’ve ever recorded for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide and is, in fact, the highest price we’ve ever recorded for any Wayne Shorter album.
This one was from the same seller: Kenny Burrell, Blue Lights Volume 2, Blue Note 1597. This is one of the ones with the Andy Warhol cover. This was not an original pressing — at least not a first pressing — because it had the New York USA labels as opposed to the West 63rd Street labels. We’ve been watching a lot of second and third presses lately, particularly the Blue Notes, because we’ve seen a pretty strong uptick in prices. This one sold for $179.50 in M- condition for both the record and the cover.
We flagged this one when the bidding topped $60 because we’ve never considered it that much of a collectible:
Tags: Andy Warhol, Andy Warhol Jazz Cover, Cecil Taylor, Donald Byrd, Gigi Gryce, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Kenny Burrell, Mal Waldron, Wayne Shorter
On eBay: Blue Note, Transition & Hyperbole
Apr 16, 2010 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
Was watching this later pressing to see if it would sell: John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573. This was a United Artists pressing. The vinyl was in M- condition, but the cover had a corner clip. The starting price was $44.44 and there were no bidders. Not sure where the market is for these United Artists pressings. I do have a bunch of them and I’m planning to hold onto them. They sound fine, not like the original pressings, but not like the reprocessed stereo editions either.
Here’s an interesting one from our “friend” Bobdjukic: Don Byas, Tenor Sax Solos, Atlantic 11233. This is a 10-inch LP with an interesting cover. The listing notes that it is an uncredited David Stone Martin illustration and, I have to admit, it looks like one for sure. But when this seller says something is “absolutely certain” I tend to wonder. In this case, I think he’s accurate, but it would nice to get confirmation from one of the experts out there as well. The rest of the hyperbole in the listing is a true work of art. Here is some of the language: “One of the rarest jazz albums in existence,” plus “We are reasonably certain that less than four copies
Tags: Atlantic Records, Don Byas, Donald Byrd, Euclid Records, John Jenkins, Kenny Burrell, Transition Records
Adventures in Jazz Collection: The Auction, Volume 1
Mar 19, 2010 Blue Note, Features, Jazz Memoirs
I participated in a jazz auction the other night. Not an eBay auction, but a traditional auction with real people and an auctioneer and a gavel. Here’s the story: A few weeks ago I got a call from a guy named David Quinn who said he ran an auction house and had in his possession a collection of jazz records and CDs from an estate sale. I helped David out with some information about the jazz collectibles market and he told me he’d send me a list and let me know when the auction was taking place. It was in the Washington DC area. I couldn’t make it down there, so I asked if I could be on the phone and perhaps bid on a few items. He arranged it and when the first item was put on the block at about 6:30 on Wednesday night, there I was on the phone, bidding on items I hadn’t actually seen. This put me at a pretty stark disadvantage, because there were about 30 people physically in the room at Quinn’s Auction Galleries in Falls Church, Va. These people could physically see the items: I was going on guts and instincts and whatever pictures were available online. The thing with this type of auction, the auction house gets
More Blue Notes, More Big Price Tags
Feb 15, 2010 Blue Note
Catching up on some recent eBay sales.
Here’s one that was quite a surprise: Jimmy Smith at the Organ, Blue Note 1525. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The record was M- and the cover was VG++. Normally the Jimmy Smith Blue Notes have not fetched huge dollars, but something is changing in the Blue Note market: All of the originals are going up in value and even later pressings are starting to sell at collectible prices. This one sold for an eye-popping $511.
May as well stick with some more Blue Notes: Kenny Burrell, Blue Lights Volume 1. This one, of course, has the cover illustration by Andy Warhol. The record was
Tags: Andy Warhol, Bennie Green, Dexter Gordon, Horace Parlan, Ike Quebec, Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell
For the Price Guide: A Blue Note Bonanza
Jan 26, 2010 Blue Note, Price Guide
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:
Tags: Andy Warhol, Baby Face Willette, Blue Note, Dizzy Reece, Donald Byrd, Eric Dolphy, Hank Mobley, Jazz Vinyl, John Jenkins, Kenny Burrell, Kenny Drew
