Chet, Miles, Zoot, Sonny Clark
May 22, 2013 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Riverside
Back to eBay with a few more recent jazz vinyl auctions, starting with: Chet Baker, Chet, Riverside 299. This looks to be an original pressing in VG+ condition. It sold for $337, which is the highest price we’ve ever recorded for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide (although, admittedly, this is not one that have have often followed). Why such a high price tag for this one? It’s got to be the presence of Bill Evans on piano, right?
Sonny Clark Trio, Blue Note 1579. This is an original West 63rd pressing listed in VG+ condition with some minor scratches and EXC for the cover, which seems to be equivalent to VG++ based on the seller’s description. It sold for $760. It used to be records had to be in near mint condition, or close to near mint, to fetch those kinds of collectible prices, but no more. There is a huge demand for any of these high-end collectibles in any condition, and certainly in any condition that will give you a good listening experience.
How about another Blue Note:
Tags: Chet Baker, Henri Renaud, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Jon Eardley, Miles Davis, Sonny Clark, Zoot Sims
Catching Up With Miles, Sonny’s Crib
Apr 4, 2013 Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
Here are some results from the recent eBay auction by the Jazz Record Center. We were watching some of the Miles Prestige recordings with interest because you may recall last month we saw an original copy of Steamin’ sell for only $75 in very nice condition, which struck us as very low and a bit odd. Especially when an original copy of Relaxin’ sold for nearly $740. I think the results this week from the Jazz Record Center are probably more indicative of the real market. Miles Davis, Steamin’, Prestige 7200. This was an original pressing with the New Jersey address. It had a promo stamp and was listed in “near new” condition, which is certainly M- for the record and the cover. The price was $307.99. Miles Davis, Workin’, Prestige 7166. This was also an original New Jersey yellow label pressing without the promo staff. It was described as similar condition to Steamin’, M- all around, and sold for $305.01. This next one
Tags: Miles Davis, Sonny Clark
Beautiful Records, No Action
Mar 31, 2013 Blue Note, Prestige
Watching the latest auction from the Jazz Record Center on eBay, with a bunch of Blue Notes and other nice collectibles, including: Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This is a deep groove West 63rd Street pressing without the New York 23 on the label. I guess that means is isn’t an original first press, but is clearly an early pressing. I’d be quite pleased to have this baby in my collection, particularly since it is in new new M- condition for both the record and the cover. The start price for the record is $500 and so far there are no bidders. Just for comparison, we’ve seen copies of Sonny’s Crib sell for more than $3,000 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.
Surprised that this one also doesn’t have any action yet: John Coltrane, Coltrane, Prestige 7105. This is an original New York yellow label pressing also in beautiful condition, probably unplayed. It’s Coltrane’s first album as a leader. The start price is $500. Our top price for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide is $1,281. I can’t see any reason why this beautiful copy won’t approach that, but so far there’s no bidding. Perhaps there are a few bidders lurking in the weeds.
Tags: John Coltrane, Sonny Clark
Three All-Time Classics
Feb 17, 2013 Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide, Riverside
Here’s some jazz vinyl we’re watching today and this week on eBay:
Sonny Rollins, Tenor Madness, Prestige 7047. This is an original New York yellow label pressing closing in a few hours. The record and the cover are both listed in VG+ condition. The current price is about $300.
Look who’s back, the seller bobdjukic, who is somewhat controversial among readers of Jazz Collector. This is one of his: Bill Evans, Waltz For Debby, Riverside 399. This looks to be an original mono pressing with the blue label and deep grooves. There six days to go on this auction and there are already 17 bids and nearly 300 views. The guy certainly has a knack. Record and cover are listed in VG++ condition and the price is nearly $500.
Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This looks to be an early/original pressing that is in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. The price is close to $500 and the auction closes tomorrow.
Tags: Bill Evans, Sonny Clark, Sonny Rollins
A Bounteous Batch of Blue Note Beauties
Feb 7, 2013 $1000 Records, Blue Note
If you were to jump onto eBay today, as I have just done, you will find a large number of very nice original Blue Note records in extremely attractive condition. It isn’t always this way, but it certainly is now, and here a few to peruse, starting with: Curtis Fuller, Bone and Bari, Blue Note 1572. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG++ (or better) condition for the record and M- for the cover. This record features Sonny Clark on piano. The start price is $500 and so far there are no bidders, but it’s safe to assume that there will be. This seller, bluenote5, has a bunch of nice Blue Notes on eBay right now. For instance, Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550. This is another original pressing with the New York 23 label and it is also close to M- condition, based on the descriptions. The start price is also in the $500 range and so far there is only one bid.
Hank Mobley and his All Stars, Blue Note 1544. This is an original West 63rd/New York 23 pressing and looks to be in at least VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The bidding has already surpassed $500 and there are still five days to go.
And then there are some nice Blue Notes from the Jazz Record Center, including:
Tags: Curtis Fuller, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Johnny Griffin, Sonny Clark
Of Yellow and Other Labels
Jan 24, 2013 Blue Note, Norgran
Another day, another batch of jazz records on eBay. Here are a few we’re watching: Lester Young, Pres, Norgran 1072. This is an original yellow label pressing. The record is VG+, the cover is VG and the picture accompanying the picture is dark and now so clear. Surprising to see that the bidding has already reached more than $130 and there have been eight bids. Maybe there’s life in those old Norgrans yet.
This one looks nice: Tina Brooks, True Blue, Note Note 4041. This looks to be an original pressing, with the original cover. The seller describes them in EX+ condition, which strikes me as just a step below M-. The price for this is in the $1,400 range and the bidding closes later today.
I’m assuming this is an original pressing, but perhaps not a first pressing? It’s an odd one: Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. It has the deep grooves and all the markings of an original pressing, but two different labels, both with the West 63rd address. One side has the New York 23 label, the other doesn’t. So what does that make this record? It is listed in M- condition for the record and VG++ or better for the cover. Bidding is in the $180 range and it has yet to meet the seller’s reserve. Normally you’d expect this record in this condition to sell for close to $2,000. But the labels will definitely impact the price, right?
Tags: Lester Young, Sonny Clark, Tina Brooks
Questionable Conditions, High Prices
Jan 22, 2013 Blue Note
Here’s an update on some of the jazz vinyl auctions we’ve been watching on eBay:
Sonny Clark Trio, Blue Note 1579. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing. The seller graded it in excellent, which I’m assuming is what I would consider VG+, based on the picture of the cover and the description of the record. I have a sense others had the same sense. This copy sold for $866. In better condition it would have probably broken into the $1,000 bin. We’ve seen this record sell for more than $1,500 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.
There were two copies of Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568 for sale. This one was in what looked to be VG+ condition. It did not have the original cover, but the cover from the EMI-Capitol reissue. Incredibly, it sold for $2,080.55. I don’t get it — not even an original cover? I have a copy of Tina Brooks, True Blue, Blue Note 4041, that is in VG or VG+ condition but has no cover at all. At one point I thought of putting a later cover on it and displaying it in my collection that way, but I just couldn’t do it. It felt like cheating and I know I’d feel guilty every time I would flip through the shelves and see that fraudulent cover in my collection. Anyway, that’s me. This other one had a relatively trashed cover, and a relatively trashed record, and it sold for $666.66. As someone mentioned in the comments, even though it’s rated G+, it probably sounds pretty decent. These original Blue Notes seemed to be made out of armor in addition to vinyl.
Tags: Hank Mobley, Sonny Clark
Back in Business Watching Collectible Jazz Vinyl
Dec 18, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
Bet you’re wondering if I’m OK. I am. Just been a busy period before the holidays. It’s been so long since I’ve posted on Jazz Collector or even been on eBay that all of the items I was watching are now closed. Which gives me a nice opportunity to give a big review, starting with:
Horace Parlan, Us Three, Blue Note 4037. This was an original West 63rd pressing in what was described as VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. It also had the original shrink wrap, if that means anything to anyone. I guess it means the cover was well protected for all of these years. The top bid on this was a very nice one, $1,136. But guess what? It didn’t meet the seller’s reserve price, so it didn’t sell. We’ve seen this one sell for as much as $1,725 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, so I guess the seller had certain expectations. I had a copy of this record in very nice condition, mentioned it on Jazz Collector and was offered $1,500 to sell it. I did. Haven’t missed it since, to be perfectly honest.
Similar situation with this one from the same seller: Sonny Clark Trio, Blue Note 1579. This was an original West 63rd pressing. The record was in VG++ condition and the cover looked to be VG. The top bid was $717 but, again, it failed to sell because it didn’t meet the seller’s reserve price.
This one did sell and I thought it might fetch a higher price: Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This one was in VG++ condition for the record and probably similar condition for the cover. It was offered by one of the top eBay sellers and sold for $1,405. A nice price, but we’ve seen this one sell for more than $3,000 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.
Tags: Horace Parlan, Miles Davis, Sonny Clark, Sonny Rollins
Three for the $1,000 Bin
Dec 6, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
I’ve been so busy with real work lately, I’ve missed a lot of nice jazz vinyl on eBay, including some of the heavyweights that regularly occupy the $1,000 bin. Anyway, here’s an update of some items I’ve missed, all of which will eventually find their way into the Jazz Collector Price Guide.
Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225. This was an original deep groove pressing with the purple label. It was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover and from the pictures with the listing it looked absolutely pristine. It sold for $2,247.66.
Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. This was an original pressing that looked to be in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $1,593.88
Paul Gonsalves, Boom-Jackie-Boom-Chick, Vocalion LAE 587. This was an original British pressing that looked to be in M- condition for the record and the cover. It sold for $1,783.
Tags: Kenny Dorham, New Jazz Records, Paul Gonsalves, Sonny Clark, Vocalion Records
Jazz Vinyl: Four For the Money
Nov 13, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note
I mentioned yesterday that there were a bunch of jazz records I was watching on eBay. Here are a few more, starting with: Paul Chambers, Go, VeeJay 1014. This was an original pressing with the maroon label. We don’t often see VeeJay records getting collectible prices, but this one has appeared before in the Jazz Collector Price Guide. The previous top bid was $189. This one sold for $255, in M- condition for the record and probably VG++ for the cover. What always excited me about this record was the appearance of Cannonball Adderley as a side man, but the listing highlights Wynton Kelly instead. I guess it worked. The record fetched top dollar. Speaking of Paul Chambers, there is this: Paul Chambers, Whims of Chambers, Blue Note 1534. This is a West 63rd pressing, which makes it a second pressing. Early and nice, and some would even characterize it as an “original” Blue Note, but definitely not a first pressing. I’m always curious to watch the market for these second pressings because they look great and sound great but, for a collector, there’s always the knowledge that, hmmmm, I don’t have an original. This one is in VG+ or VG++ condition for the record, and VG+ for the cover. The price is around $200 and so there there is one bidder, with the auction closing tomorrow.
Here are a couple for the $1,000 bin:
Tags: Hank Mobley, Paul Chambers, Sonny Clark, Time Records, VeeJay Records
Tracking a Blue Note Quartet
Oct 29, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Been light on the posts again lately. Super busy with real work. Here are a few high-priced jazz records, all Blue Notes, we missed on eBay:
Sonny Clark Trio, Blue Note 1579. This was an original pressing in M- condition. The price was $1,531.
John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573. This too was an original pressing. The record was in M- condition and the cover was probably VG++. The price was $1,500.
Cliff Jordan, Cliff Craft, Blue Note 1582. Another original pressing, of course, this one in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. This one sold for $1,250.
Lou Donaldson, Wailing with Lou, Blue Note 1545. This was an original pressing in M- condition from the seller who had access to the Leon Leavitt collection. This one sold for $900.
Tags: Cliff Jordan, John Jenkins, Kenny Burrell, Lou Donaldson, Sonny Clark
Tracking Some Very High End Jazz Vinyl
Aug 7, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
While we were busy buying the Irving Kalus collection, a lot of rare and valuable (and high priced) jazz vinyl was being sold on eBay. Here are some of the high-end items we’ve missed.
Tommy Flanagan, Overseas, Prestige 7134. This is one of the major rarities and it sold like one. The record and cover were both in M- condition. The price was $3,216.66. That’s the first time we’ve seen the record surpass the $3,000 mark in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.
While we’re on the topic of $3,000 records: Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. This was an original pressing listed in M- condition for the record and the cover. This is the listing that mentioned Jazz Collector as a pricing/value source, which we appreciate. The sale price was $3,600.
This didn’t quite make the $3,000 bin, but it gave it a good run: Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225. This was an original purple label pressing in near mint condition for the record and the cover. It sold for $2,650. Do you think there’s a distinction between a record described as “near mint” versus one described as “mint minus?” Just thought I’d ask. “Near mint” has a nicer ring to it, IMHO.
One more:
Tags: Atlantic Records, Giant Steps, John Coltrane, Kenny Dorham, Sonny Clark, Tommy Flanagan
Moving On: A Trio of Blue Note LPs
Jul 30, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note
It was an interesting week on Jazz Collector following the chronicles of my purchase of the Irving Kalus collection and the subsequent comments, which are ongoing as I type this. Later in the week, when I have time, I will do an epilogue and I will also put all of the posts together in a single story, which will be downloadable as a PDF. The whole thing will probably read a bit like novel all at once. It’s a marvel of our era that through the Internet we could give life to a college essay written more than 60 years ago and create a living online legacy for a man who had passed in relative obscurity, except, of course, to his beloved family and friends. I certainly feel honored and blessed to have been able to play a part in that, so the gift to me is not just Irving’s records but the psychic reward of having done some good work. For all of the time and effort and money I’ve put into Jazz Collector for the past 10 years, this is a real nice payback.
Having said that, let’s move back on the mundane business of watching collectible jazz vinyl on eBay. Here are some items of interest this week:
Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. Irving did not have an original pressing of this, just a blue label Liberty. However, I was fortunately able to pick up an original in a previous collection I purchased. For that whole story you’ll have to wait for the Jazz Collector book, which is still a vision in my brain at this point. This original pressing of Cool Struttin’ is in beautiful M- condition for the record and the cover and is currently priced at more than $2,000. Even at that price it may not sell: It has not yet reached the seller’s reserve.
Tags: Curtis Fuller, Lee Morgan, Sonny Clark
Still More Adventures in Jazz Collecting, Part 4
Jul 23, 2012 Jazz Memoirs
So now I had a general sense of the collection but since my original intent was to just look it over and give advice, I had no real sense of whether I would want to buy the collection or even whether they would be interested in selling it to me. So I wasn’t overly excited or enthused as I sat down with Karen and Adam to tell them what I had discovered. I said that it was an amazing collection of music mostly from the bop and post-bop era, that most of the records were reissues or later pressings, but that there were, indeed, some valuable records within the collection. I didn’t say how many valuable records because I had no idea. I then asked Karen if her father had ever talked about the records and what they might be worth and what to do with them after he passed away. She said that she had never really had that discussion with her father, and neither did her brother. She said her father just loved the music and never really considered the records as something of monetary value, just something to treasure and enjoy.
Tags: Marty the dog, Sonny Clark
Still More Adventures in Jazz Collecting, Part 3
Jul 22, 2012 Jazz Memoirs
So I’m sitting on the floor and there’s this two-shelf low cabinet and there’s maybe 300 records in it altogether and I reach for the Coltranes on Impulse and pull them out. They are not obvious originals but each one has a gatefold cover, so there is hope. I open the first one, Ballads. And it is . . . ugh, a very late black label pressing. Then A Love Supreme: late pressing, black and red label. In fact, I go through all of the Coltrane Impulses and there’s not a single original pressing in the bunch. And now I’m fairly convinced that this is just a lovely collection of great music but not one of collectible records. And I am almost ready to give up and give Karen my advice, which is that she should probably go to Infinity Records around the corner and see what they would pay.
And then, in the middle of the Coltranes, there is this record: Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. And I remember thinking, why is the Sonny Clark record amid all of the Coltranes? But, of course, Coltrane is a sideman on this record and if the guy was a real Coltrane fan perhaps he organized his records according to his favorite artists and wanted all of his Coltrane records in one place. As a collector who constantly reorganizes and plays with my own collection, I could certainly relate to that.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: John Coltrane, Sonny Clark
The Rarest Ever? We’ll Have To See About That
Jul 2, 2012 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note
Here’s an interesting listing on eBay: The Fabulous Guitar of Bill Jennings, King 295-106. This is a 10-inch record in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. One of the things that makes the listing interesting is the statement by the seller that this is the “most rare and collectible 10-inch jazz guitar LP EVER MADE.” That is quite a strong statement, although seller seems knowledgeable, he is also quite hyperbolic, talking about this being the rarest “in the history of mankind.” In any case, I’ve never heard of this LP, but I’m sure it’s quite collectible. I know there are many jazz guitar enthusiasts out there, including my friend Dan, so perhaps we can have some real perspective on this LP. This auction is closing later today, there is a start price of $1,500 and there are still no bidders.
I’ve also got an eye on this one, and a story goes with it: Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This is an original pressing in what is probably VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. It closes in six days and the start price is around $800. The story that goes with it is that I just purchased an original pressing of this record and it is the cleanest copy I’ve ever seen. I’m quite pleased about that. There are other records that were part of this collection and, once I sort it all out, I will share some details. But the M- Sonny’s Crib was one of the highlights, that’s for sure.
Tags: Bill Jennings, King Records, Sonny Clark
Lee Morgan, Hal McKusick and Sonny Clarke (sic)
May 21, 2012 Blue Note
Here are some jazz vinyl auctions we’ve been watching on eBay:
Sonny Clark, Leapin’ and Lopin’, Blue Note 4091. What caught my eye about this one is that the seller kept referring to him as “Sonny Clarke” in the headline and in the text. I mean, can you look at the album cover? If potential buyers have alerts for Sonny Clark or if they are doing searches, would they not find this LP? Interesting question. This one was in VG condition for the record and M- for the cover. It was an original mono pressing. It sold for $289. My bet is that the misspelling did not impact the final price.
Hal McKusick, Bethlehem 16. This was an original pressing with the deep red label and deep grooves. The record was VG+ or perhaps a little better and the cover was VG++. The start price was $275 and when I looked at this there was one bidder. I was a bit surprised anyone was interested at that price so I kept an eye on it to see if the bidding would go higher. It didn’t.
Lee Morgan, Lee-Way, Blue Note 4034. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing that was in M- condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. As I’ve watched this record through the years, it’s typically topped out in the $500 range, although we’ve seen one in the Jazz Collector Price Guide sell for $847. I expect someday we’ll see this regularly in the $1,000 bin given the quality of the recording, vintage, personnel, etc. Not yet. This one sold for $757.
Tags: Bethlehem Records, Hal McKusick, Lee Morgan, Sonny Clark
Spring is in the Air and We’re Pining for Blue Notes
May 1, 2012 Blue Note
I’m watching a bunch of Blue Notes on eBay, many of which I have in later pressings — Japanese, United Artists — but all of which having me pining for originals. Here are a few:
This is from a seller who has a bunch or rare original Blue Notes closing tomorrow, including: Sonny Clark Trio, Blue Note 1579. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG++ condition for the record and the cover, based on how the seller describes his grading system. There have already been more than 20 bids and the price is now hovering in the $550 range. Here Comes Louis Smith, Blue Note 1584. This is also an original pressing. The record is VG++ and the cover is M-. The price is now $432. J.R. Monterose, Blue Note 1536. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing. It is listed in what seems to be VG+ condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. The price is now in the $300 range. There are more from this seller if you want to do a search.
This is from a different seller and is also quite appealing:
Tags: J. R. Monterose, Louis Smith, Sonny Clark, Walter Davis Jr.
Watching Jazz Vinyl Prices on The Rise
Apr 30, 2012 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Riverside
Here’s some jazz vinyl we were watching on eBay:
Clifford Brown Quartet, Blue Note 5047. This was an original 10-inch Lexington Avenue pressing. The record was in M- condition and the cover looked like it was probably VG++. The price was $900.12. That’s the highest price we’ve ever recorded for this album in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.
Speaking of new highs, this was one from the recent Jazz Record Center auction: Grachan Moncur III, Some Other Stuff, Blue Note 4177. This was in M- condition and sold for $775.43. As we’re seeing pretty consistently, these later original Blue Notes are really increasing in value. I had sold a copy of this record for around $500 a couple of years ago and that was, by far, the highest price we’d seen up to that point.
Sonny Clark Trio, Time 70010. This was an original pressing rated VG++ for the record and VG+ for the cover, even though the headline stated it was M-. Pretty interesting/deceptive move by the seller. It sold for $699.99.
Look at the price on this original Riverside:
Tags: Clifford Brown, Dizzy Reece, Grachan Moncur III, Jazz Record Center, Kenny Drew, Sonny Clark, Time Records
A Trio of Rare (Original?) Blue Notes
Apr 5, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note
I’m watching three interesting jazz vinyl listings on eBay from the same seller in Germany. They are:
Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’ Blue Note 1588. It’s a very weird listing. It uses a canned picture of the record, no labels, no back cover, nothing. It describes the record as a Lexington Avenue label. Huh? As we here at Jazz Collector know, Cool Struttin’ was issued way after Blue Note moved away from Lexington Avenue and Lexington Avenue labels. The record is listed in M- condition and has a buy-it-now price tag of $2,999. The seller has a lot of feedback so I’m not necessarily questioning his credibility, but I certainly wouldn’t bid on this. Perhaps that’s just me.
From the same seller: Jutta Hipp at the Hickory House Volume 1, Blue Note 1515. This also looks like a canned picture. The record is listed in Ex condition and the price is $1,799. Finally, Walter Davis Jr., Davis Cup, Blue Note 4018. This is another one that’s lacking in pictures. It is listed in M- condition. The price is $1,999. Do you think anyone will take a gamble on it? We’ll watch it so see.
Tags: Jutta Hipp, Sonny Clark, Walter Davis Jr.
Grand Stans
Mar 28, 2012 Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Verve
To keep the discussion on this a little longer. I was perusing eBay last night and there was another copy of Getz/Gilberto, Verve 8545, also a stereo pressing, also in M- condition. It sold for $37, which is higher than normal. The other one from bobdjukic is at $219 and closing later today. While perusing, I also came upon this nice record: Stan Levey, Grand Stan, Bethelehem 71. It was sitting there at $25 and there were no bidders and I was contemplating placing a bid even though I already own a copy in M- condition. I think the seller missed an opportunity here: This is one of those records where if you know it, and you know the identities of the musicians, it becomes much more interesting. Among the musicians on this record are Sonny Clark and Richie Kamuca and it is, as you’d expect, a terrific record. It’s also not so easy to find, certainly tougher to find than Getz/Gilbert0. This one was in VG+ condition and sold for $27. The highest price we’ve ever seen for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide is $90.
Tags: Bethlehem Records, Getz/Gilberto, Richie Kamuca, Sonny Clark, Stan Getz, Stan Levey
Some Jazz Vinyl For the $1,000 Bin
Feb 15, 2012 Blue Note
Yesterday we talked about some lower priced collectibles: Today, let’s go in the opposite direction.
Donald Byrd, Byrd Jazz, Transition 5. This was an original pressing that looked to be in M- condition, although the seller described it as being in very good condition. He seemed unfamiliar with the grading system most of us use. The record sold for $2,370.67, so others expected that it is in M- condition as well.
Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This was an original pressing in M- condition for the vinyl and VG++ for the cover. It sold for $1,915.
Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This was an original pressing in VG+ condition for the record and VG++ condition for the cover. It sold for $1,650.
Sonny Rollins Plays, Period 1204. This one was in M- condition for the record and VG for the cover. It sold for $1,191.88. I think this is the only Rollins record from the 50s I don’t own in an original pressing. Hopefully one day we can correct that oversight. But not for $1,200.
Tags: Donald Byrd, Lee Morgan, Period Records, Sonny Clark, Sonny Rollins, Transition Records
Score One For Jazz Collector
Jan 13, 2012 Blue Note, Jazz Memoirs
I wasn’t actually planning to write anything about my recent jazz vinyl acquisitions but, of course, my excitement and enthusiasm took over and I couldn’t resist. I have this idea of writing a Jazz Collector book – I’ve already begun – and the story of some of these record scores is going to be a central theme so I’m trying to save them. However, I mentioned it so now I have to embellish a little bit so I don’t leave you all tantalized. It started with a simple inquiry from a guy in Canada who was asking for advice about selling some records he had inherited. It almost always starts that way. I get inquiries like these three or four times a week. He said he had looked on Jazz Collector and it seemed that some of the records he owned were quite valuable – Blue Notes, he said, and they seemed original. I told him his best bet was to get Fred Cohen’s book, try to gauge the value of the records, and sell them himself on eBay. He said that’s what he was going to do and thanked me. I thought that was the end of it. But it wasn’t.
Tags: Sonny Clark
Jazz Vinyl Countdown? HAH!
Jan 12, 2012 Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige, The Great Jazz Vinyl Countdown
I just logged onto eBay and as I was signing in this record was closing: Meet Oliver Nelson, New Jazz 8224. It was an original pressing with the purple label and deep grooves, featuring Kenny Dorham on trumpet. It looked to be in M- condition for the record and probably VG++ for the cover. The price was $157.50. I have an interest in this record because I was just looking at a copy in my apartment, where it is among a batch of original records I have just scored. There was a time, many of you will remember, when I was talking of scaling back my collecting and doing a Great Jazz Vinyl Countdown, but I still can’t seem to give up the habit — addiction? — of buying more records. This batch in front of me is quite cool. On the top is an original pressing of Cool Struttin’ by Sonny Clark and just below that is an original pressing of Soundin’ Off by Dizzy Reece. Someday soon I will share the story of this particular score but, in the meantime, I have some records to clean, including Meet Oliver Nelson on New Jazz, worth as much as $157.50.
Tags: Dizzy Reece, Oliver Nelson, Sonny Clark
Cool Struttin’, Giant Steps and Other Jazz Classics
Dec 27, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Let’s catch up on some of the interesting rare jazz vinyl we’ve been watching at Jazz Collector. Big Bear apparently put a magnifying glass to this record and found that it was not necessarily an original pressing: Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. In addition to the question about the “original-ness” of the record there was also some concern expressed here about the lack of information about the listing. The record wound up selling for $1,913.88 in M- condition, which is probably significantly less than it would have received if it had been offered by a reputable seller with a strong reputation, such as Jazz Record Center or Euclid. Nonetheless, it is still quite a hefty price, particularly if it is not a first pressing. This one came from the same seller and failed to sell: Paul Chambers, Bass on Top, Blue Note 1569. I tried the magnifying glass trick myself but to no avail: Either my magnifier was faulty or my eyes were faulty or, more likely, a combination of the two. I couldn’t figure out if this was original or not. Perhaps other potential bidders had the same problem. Nobody was willing to hit the start price of $500.
Tags: John Coltrane, Kennedy Center Honors, New Jazz Records, Paul Chambers, Sonny Clark, Sonny Rollins, Tommy Flanagan
