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
A Jazz Vinyl Auction To (Carefully) Watch
Dec 21, 2011 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl Fraud
Are there any gamblers out there? Here are some interesting items from a seller in Italy, including : Art Taylor, AT’s Delight, Blue Note 4047. The seller describes this record, as well as a bunch of other jazz collectibles, as being from his grandfather’s collection. There is no mention on any of these listings about some of the characteristics you’d want to see on a Blue Note to determine it’s provenance. No mention of deep grooves, addresses on the label, RVGs, ears, etc. Yet . . . if you look at the picture, you get the sense that perhaps they are originals. Or could they be someone else’s pictures? The seller does not accept returns. Perhaps we’re back to being skeptical again, since this is around the two-year anniversary of the great eBay Nautiluso fraud, from Italy. Clearly, others are skeptical as well, based on the price of this record and other listings from this seller. This one, listed in M- condition for the record and the cover, is now at $260. Here’s another from the same batch: Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. This is described as being in M- condition and a U.S. pressing, but all of the other important data is not included in the listing. The bidding on this has gone to $585 and the auction is closing in a few hours. Under normal circumstances, what would an M- copy of this sell for — $3,000, $4,000?
Tags: Art Taylor, Sonny Clark
A Tale of Two Sonnys
Dec 12, 2011 Blue Note
I’m proud of myself. I’m up in the country and I have some time and it’s relaxing and I put a couple of records on. First I put on Sonny Clark’s Cool Struttin’, which is a great record that I hadn’t listed to for years. Then for some reason I put on Sonny Criss Plays Cole Porter on Imperial (both reissues, unfortunately). And I was listening and it was right after Cool Struttin’ and I was thinking, hmm, the pianist on the Sonny Criss record sounds like Sonny Clark. So I looked on the liner notes and, zip, nothing. Oh I hate it when liner notes don’t list the musicians. Thank goodness for the Internet. I googled the record and within seconds I found out, indeed, it is Sonny Clark on piano. For those of you keeping score, the other sidemen are Larry Bunker on vibes, Buddy Woodson on bass and Lawrence Marable on drums. Nice record and I can’t tell if it’s my pressing, but the recording is very tinny. Any of you out there with the original?
Tags: Imperial Records, Sonny Clark, Sonny Criss
Live From Las Vegas: Jazz Vinyl
Nov 16, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Sorry I’ve been delinquent in posting. I’ve been in Vegas on a work assignment and haven’t had as much time on my hands to peruse the jazz vinyl bins on eBay. So here’s a little bit of what I missed.
I’ve never owned this version of this record, just a reissue. I love the cover: Sonny Clark Trio, Time 70010. The record looked to be in M- condition based on the description, and the cover was probably VG++. This one sold for $845.
Once again I let a copy of this record pass me by: Freddie Redd, Shades of Redd, Blue Note 4045. This was an original pressing that looked to be in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. This one sold for $749. I watch this record often, because I’d love an original pressing. Are there others out there who share my belief that this is one of the all-time best Blue Notes?
Speaking of all time Blue Notes there was this: Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This was an original pressing that looked to be in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. If you get a chance click on the link and look at the listing. It looks eerily similar to those of bobjdukic. Perhaps he’s moved to The Netherlands? Don’t think so. Just someone trying to us his methodology of attracting big bids, I would guess. This one sold for $1,505.
Tags: Freddie Redd, Lee Morgan, Sonny Clark
On The Hunt: Sonny Clark, Jutta, Prez
Oct 28, 2011 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Clef
Let’s catch up on some more jazz records we’ve been watching on eBay, including these from the Jazz Record Center auction this week.
Sonny Clark Trio, Blue Note 1579. This was an original West 63rd pressing that looked to be in at least VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $1,525. We’ve seen Sonny’s Crib and Cool Struttin’ consistently break the $2,000 and even the $3,000 barrier, but this is the highest price we’ve recorded for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.
Jutta Hipp With Zoot Sims, Blue Note 1530. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing that looked to be in beautiful M- condition for the record and probably VG++ for the cover. The price was $2,678.
Lester Young Collates Number Two, Clef 124. This was an original 10-inch pressing with the nice cover by David Stone Martin. It looked to be in M- condition for the record
Tags: David Stone Martin, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Jazz Vinyl, Jutta Hipp, Lester Young, Sonny Clark, Zoot Sims
Jazz Vinyl Prices, Running The Gamut
Oct 27, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige
Here’s some jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:
Someone got a nice record at a nice price with this one: Stan Levey, Grand Stan, Bethlehem 71. I’d have thought this would be more collectible, what with the presence of Sonny Clark as well as Richie Kamuca. This copy was in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $43.
Here’s a nice, original, New York yellow-label Prestige that also didn’t command top dollar: Gene Ammons, All Star Sessions, Prestige 7050. This one was in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $76.01.
This one, on the other hand, had no problem fetching top dollar: Johnny Griffin, A Blowing Session, Blue Note 1559. This was an original pressing and it looked to be in M- condition, although the terminology used by the seller was different. Some people clearly agreed that it was M-: This one sold for $1,252.
Tags: Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin, Sonny Clark, Stan Levey
Updating the $2,000 Jazz Vinyl Bin
Oct 17, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige
I’ve been checking out some of the recent higher-priced jazz vinyl auctions on eBay and came across some interesting items, including this one, which is completely new to me: Jazz Quintet 60, Metronome 15124. This is an original 1962 Danish pressing featuring Bent Axen and Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (he must have been a teenager) along with Bjarne Rostvold, Allan Botschinsky and Niels Husum. Don’t know anything about the record, other than it must be highly collectible. This copy was in M- condition for the vinyl and VG++ for the cover and sold for $2,392 with nearly 350 page views. The seller was SweeDeeDee, who had a bunch of nice items on eBay last week.
Here’s a beauty from my friends at Infinity Records on Long Island: Sonny Clark, Dial S For Sonny, Blue Note 1570. This was an original pressing with the West 63rd address, deep grooves, etc., and it was listed in M- condition for the vinyl and what looked to be VG+ for the cover. It sold for $2,100.
Tags: Jazz Collector Price Guide, Kenny Dorham, Metronome, New Jazz Records, Sonny Clark
A Couple For the $1,000 Bin, and More
Sep 5, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Here’s some heavy-duty jazz vinyl that sold recently on eBay.
Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan, Peckin’ Time, Blue Note 1574. This was an original West 63rd pressing with the deep grooves. It was in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $1,315. So, if you have this record, where do you file it, under Morgan or under Mobley? Mine, a Japanese pressing, is under Mobley.
From the same seller came: Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore, Blowin’ In From Chicago, Blue Note 1549. Love the cover. This was a promo copy in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover, although the picture looks like it might be a little less so. It sold for $1,155.
Also from the same seller: Sonny Clark, Dial S for Sonny, Blue Note 1570. Same for this one: An original pressing, vinyl in VG++ condition, cover in VG+ condition. The price was $896.
How about something that’s not Blue Note:
Tags: Cliff Jordan, Hank Mobley, J. R. Monterose, Jaro Records, John Gilmore, Lee Morgan, Sonny Clark
Updates From The Jazz Record Center Auction, Part 2
Aug 15, 2011 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside
We did promise a Part 2 of our post on the recent auction from The Jazz Record Center, so here goes (apologize for the delay):
Why isn’t this record worth more: Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins, Prestige 7075? This was an original New York pressing. The record was in M- condition — nearly new — and the cover looked like it was at least VG++, maybe better. It sold for $192.50. I happen to think this is a terrific album. I love Sonny’s interpretation of The Way You Look Tonight. When I was first getting into jazz I used to compare this version to the Stan Getz version on Stan Getz Plays and it took me a while to reconcile not only that it was the same song, but that it was even the same instrument. My ears are obviously much more sophisticated now, but at the time the difference in approach seemed so stark. And I liked both versions. Anyway, I repeat my query: Why is this great original Prestige, featuring two of the geniuses of modern jazz, not even a $200 record?
This has always been one of the rarest and more expensive of the Riversides, for good reason: Sonny Rollins, The Sound of Sonny, Riverside 241. This was an original white label pressing and it was in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $765. It’s the presence of Sonny Clark with Rollins that makes this one so sought-after, no?
Now for a few Blue Notes:
Tags: Donald Byrd, Horace Parlan, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Jazz Vinyl, Kenny Dorham, Sonny Clark, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk
Jazz Vinyl Update For the $1,000 Bin (and More)
Aug 8, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Riverside
Here we go with an update on some of the jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:
This one inspired quite a bidding war, with nearly 1,000 page views and 32 bids among 17 bidders: Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. This was an original pressing. The record was listed as M- and the cover was only VG+. The price was a whopping $3,350.
This one also entered the $1,000 bin (nice picture, huh?): Lee Morgan, Blue Note 1541. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing that was listed in M- condition for the vinyl and VG+ for the cover. The price was $1,385.
I think prices are starting to come back again to previous levels. Look at this one: Zoot Sims, Zoot, Riverside 228. This was an original white-label pressing. The record was described as excellent, which I translate to VG++ and the cover was probably VG+ with tape on the top seam. The price was $457, which is the highest price we’ve seen for this LP in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.
Tags: Lee Morgan, Sonny Clark, Zoot Sims
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
Catching Up: Byrd, Tenorman, Golson, Cool Struttin’
Jun 15, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
Sorry I’ve been out of touch for so long. Now that I’m back, let’s start by updating some of the items we were watching on eBay:
This one had that very high start price: Lawrence Marable, Tenorman, Jazz West 8. It was listed in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. Not only did it sell, it made it all the way to the $2,000 bin. The price was $2,175.
This one didn’t quite make the $2,000 bin, but it did all right for the buyer and seller: Donald Byrd, Byrd Blows on Beacon Hill, Transition 17. This was an original pressing sold by Euclid Records and it included the original booklet. The record was VG++ and the cover was VG+. The labels, as they do with all Transitions, had fallen off. The price was $1,691.88. Euclid also did well on this one: Benny Golson, Gone with Golson, New Jazz 8235. This was an original purple label pressing with the deep grooves. It was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $355, quite a nice price for an LP with Golson as the leader. Our previous high in the Jazz Collector Price Guide was $335.
This next one was described as an “original” pressing, but upon further detailed reading of the listing, it clearly was not — unless, that is, you consider an “original” Blue Note anything that was issued prior to the purchase by Liberty:
Tags: Benny Golson, Donald Byrd, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz West Records, Lawrence Marable, Sonny Clark, Transition Records
eBaying With Thad, Sonny Clark, Vice-Pres
May 26, 2011 Blue Note, Prestige
Here’s some jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:
The Magnificent Thad Jones, Blue Note 1527. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing with the flat edge. The record was in VG condition and clearly had some issues with surface noise based on the seller’s description. The cover was VG+. The opportunity to own an original Blue Note is always enticing. This one sold for $261, not at all unreasonable, but I didn’t pull the trigger. Perhaps next time.
That copy of Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576, finally wound up selling. If you recall, this one was in great, mint condition, but it was not an original. It had the West 63rd label but no deep grooves. The seller was able to get $399.99. More power to him.
This one seems to perhaps be a bit over-graded based on the seller’s description, but it is still a nice original collectible in nice condition. Paul Quinichette, On the Sunny Side, Prestige 7103. This one sold for $213.50.
Tags: Paul Quinichette, Sonny Clark, Thad Jones
eBay Watching: Blue Notes, Prestige
May 24, 2011 Blue Note, Prestige
Which jazz vinyl shall we watch on eBay today? Here’s a few of note.
This one is quite tempting to me, since I do not own an original: Mal Waldron, Mal/2, Prestige 7111. This looks to be an original New York pressing and it has the presence of John Coltrane. The record looks to be what I would grade as VG++ and the cover is M-. There are a few days to go and the price is in the $150 range. When I see records such as these I have to remind myself that I am getting rid of records, not acquiring them. It is a tough sell to myself, however, since the joy is in the hunt.
This one is also strangely tempting to me, even though it is not an original: Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. The copy in my collection is a black and blue Liberty stereo. Yuch. This one is not an original because it doesn’t have the deep grooves, but at least it has the West 63rd Street address. It wouldn’t give me the creeps every time I would look at it in my collection. But, alas, the start price is about $400 and that’s a little too steep for me for a non-original, even a great record like this in beautiful condition.
Tags: Jazz Vinyl, John Coltrane, Jutta Hipp, Mal Waldron, Sonny Clark, Thad Jones, Zoot Sims
Updating the $1,000 Bin, Plus a Few More
Mar 24, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige
Let’s catch up on some of the high-end jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:
Here are a few from the Jazz Record Center auction: Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225. This one was in beautiful condition, M- all the way around. It sold for $2,380.99. Sonny Clark, Dial S For Sonny, Blue Note 1570. This was another beauty that was M- for the record and probably VG++ for the cover, depending upon how you view things such as small splits and slight wear. It sold for $2,039. Kenny Dorham, Afro-Cuban, Blue Note 1535. This was in M- condition for the record and somewhat less for the cover. The price was $1,613.88. And the big one: Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568. This was an original pressing in M- condition for the record and between VG++ and M- for the cover, depending upon how you grade such things. The price was $3,618.
Here’s a $1,000 record that was not sold by the Jazz Record Center:
Tags: Eric Dolphy, Hank Mobley, Jazz Record Center, Kenny Dorham, Lou Donaldson, New Jazz Records, Phil Woods, Sonny Clark
Jazz Vinyl Update: Some Warhols, Blue Notes & Miles
Mar 13, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige
Here’s some jazz vinyl we’ve been watching on eBay:
This one was described in “like new” condition and, based on the picture and description, it looked like an original pressing: Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. The seller said he turned down a “buy now” request and let the bidding continue, which it did, topping off at $1,713.
This one wasn’t in nearly the same condition as Sonny’s Crib: Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This looked to be an original pressing and it was listed in VG+ condition for the record and VG MINUS for the cover. It sold for $1,115.
This is the highest price we’ve ever seen for this record: Miles Davis, Cookin’ Prestige 7094. This was an original pressing that was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $665.
How about a few records with Andy Warhol covers:
Tags: Andy Warhol, Bennie Green, JJ Johnson, Johnny Griffin, Kai Winding, Kenny Burell, Lee Morgan, Miles Davis, Sonny Clark
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
Some Nice Jazz Vinyl For the $1,000 Bin
Feb 9, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
Time to update the $1,000 jazz vinyl bin:
Here’s quite an interesting one: Donald Byrd in Paris and Parisian Throughfare, Volumes 1 and 2, Brunswick 903 and 904. This was an auction of two rare records, released in France , and listed in M- condition for both records and both covers. The seller described them as like new. I’m familiar with the U.S. Signature release of these records and, in fact, I own Volume 1. I’m not sure how and when these were released in France and the U.S., but I imagine someone out there will have that information to share. These records, quite attractive and enticing, fetched $2,400 as a pair.
Horace Parlan, Us Three, Blue Note 4037. This was an original pressing listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $1,675. I actually owned a copy of this record is nearly the same condition, maybe slightly less, and sold it for $1,500 last year to a Jazz Collector reader. We were both pleased, and I’m pleased to see the price is holding steady, if not increasing.
Helen Merrill, Emarcy 36006. This looked to be an original pressing with the drummer logo and the blue writing on the back, although it would have been nice to have seen a picture of the back cover. Nevertheless, this one was in VG++ condition for the record and the cover and it sold for $1,545
Tags: Brunswick Records, Donald Byrd, Emarcy Records, Hank Mobley, Helen Merrill, Horace Parlan, Sonny Clark, Time Records
Watching Some Blue Note Vinyl, As Usual
Feb 2, 2011 Blue Note
Here’s some Blue Note vinyl worth watching on eBay now:
Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550. This looks to be an original pressing, although it would be great to see close-up pictures of the labels if you’re planning to bid, right? The seller lists is in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover and it will certainly sell for more than $1,000: It’s already more than $800 with more than three days to go.
This is the seller who’s been doing well with a lot of nice Blue Notes, including the Mobley 10-incher that sold for more than $2,000 last week. Somehow, I think this will not sell at anywhere near it’s starting price, but you never know: Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This is a mono pressing and it has the West 63rd labels, but . . . there are no deep grooves and no mention of the ear in the deadwax. The seller has a start price of nearly $800.
On the other hand there is this:
Tags: Freddie Redd, Hank Mobley, Paul Chambers, Sonny Clark
More Updates For the Jazz Collector Price Guide
Jan 30, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide, Riverside
I’ve been spending time this weekend updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide and realized there are a bunch more interesting items we’ve mentioned here but haven’t followed up, so here are a few of them:
George Wallington, Jazz For the Carriage Trade, Prestige 7032. This was an original New York pressing with a record in M- condition and a nice shiny cover in VG++ condition. It sold for $395.
Sonny Criss Plays Cole Porter, Imperial 9024. This looked to be an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $350.99.
Lou Donaldson, Swing and Soul, Blue Note 1566. This was one of the recent records sold by the Jazz Record Center. It was in M- condition for both the record and the cover and it sold for $544.44.
From that same auction were these:
The Wes Montgomery Trio, Riverside 310. This was an original pressing in M- condition and sold for $305, the highest price we’ve seen for this record.
Tags: Dexter Gordon, George Wallington, Imperial Records, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Kenny Drew, Lou Donaldson, Sonny Clark, Sonny Criss, Wes Montgomery
Watching eBay: Wes, Sonny Clark, Dex & More
Jan 27, 2011 Blue Note, Riverside
Here is some interesting jazz vinyl we’re watching on eBay:
The latest auction from the Jazz Record Center is closing today, with some interesting items, such as: The Wes Montgomery Trio, Riverside 310. This is an original pressing in near mint condition for both the record and the cover. We haven’t seen this record sell for high prices very often, but this one will: It is already close to $175. Sonny Clark, Leapin’ and Lopin’, Blue Note 4091. This is an original pressing with the New York USA labels. It is in M- condition and is priced at more than $300 with a few hours to go. Did you see the Sonny Clark articles referred to by Mike in the Reader Forum? They are terrific. Go to the Reader Forum for the links. Here’s one more: Dexter Gordon, One Flight Up, Blue Note 4176. This is also an original pressing in beautiful condition. It is currently in the $180 price range.
Tags: Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Jazz Record Center, Sonny Clark, Thad Jones, Wes Montgomery
Some Weird Happenings in The $1,000 Bin
Jan 24, 2011 $1000 Records, Blue Note
I was looking to update the $1,000 bin and came upon this weird item that was mentioned in the Reader Forum: Jutta Hipp With Zoot Sims, Blue Note 1530. This was mentioned as an original Lexington Avenue pressing and it sold for $1,925, even though there was no picture of the label and the description of the record was minimal, without even a clear explanation of the condition. How the bidding got to $1,925 on this is hard to believe, except for those of us who watch eBay regularly and know full well that anything is possible. As one of our reader’s discovered, this is actually a United Artists pressing, which means it’s worth maybe $30, depending upon the condition. The seller has only 96 feedbacks, so let’s hope this is an honest mistake and not a scam.
This one looks more legitimate, but a little weird as well: Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1668. This one was listed in VG+ condition for the record and VG/VG+ for the cover, although there was a lot of tape damage in the picture and there was also a name written broadly on the label. It sold for $1,900, which is hard to fathom given the pictures of the cover and the label.
This one is definitely legitimate, and quite lovely:
Tags: Freddie Redd, Hank Mobley, Jutta Hipp, Sonny Clark, Zoot Sims
Jazz Vinyl on eBay: Mobley, Clark, Trane, Pres, Chet
Jan 19, 2011 Blue Note, Impulse, Norgran
Another day, another couple of thousand jazz records on eBay. Here are some of the ones we’re watching:
Hank Mobley, No Room For Squares, Blue Note 4149. This looks to be an original pressing, with the New York USA label and the ear, and it is listed in M- condition for the record and what looks to be VG++ for the cover. You may recall that a recent copy of this record sold for $1,009. I’m sure the seller here, Atomic Records, noticed as well. This one is currently in the $130 range but has yet to meet the seller’s reserve price.
Sonny Clark, Dial S For Sonny, Blue Note 1570. This is an original pressing with the West 63rd label, deep groove, etc., and it is listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The current price is around $425 and there is still one day left on the auction.
This one doesn’t usually go for a big price, but it is in nice condition and it is a promo copy (it’s also a fantastic record, musically): John Coltrane, Live at Birdland, Impulse 50. This has the white promo label and is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It has one bid, but the price is $198.
Tags: Birdland, Chet Baker, Hank Mobley, John Coltrane, Lester Young, Oscar Peterson, Pacific Jazz Records, Sonny Clark
