Jazz For A Sunday Morning: KD, Byrd, Blue Notes

Here’s some of the jazz vinyl we’ve missed while we were away:

The Arrival of Kenny Dorham, Jaro 5007. This was an original pressing that was listed in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. It was a bit of a strange auction — there were only two bids and the winning bid was an even $800. Anyway. There was a lot more interest in this one, with more than 20 bids: Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225. This was an original deep groove pressing in VG+ condition, which I’d say was questionable based on the description. It sold for $740.

This one nearly made the $3,000 bin: Donald Byrd, Byrd Blows on Beacon Hill, Transition 17. This was an original pressing with the booklet. The record looked to be in M- condition, minus the labels, of course, and the cover looked to be about VG++. The price was $2,926.54, which is still staggering to me.

And what would a day in Jazz Collector world be without a few Blue Notes to admire:

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Some Jazz Vinyl For the $1,000 Bin

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.

Jazz Vinyl on eBay: J.R., Dex, A Rare Transition

Here are a few big-ticket items I missed while I was packing and hauling boxes.

J.R. Monterose, In Action, Studio 4 SS 100. This is an original pressing of a rare record that we’ve written about fairly extensively in the past. We even posted some very rare audio that, to our knowledge, is only available here (More on J.R.: Original Audio). This was quite a descriptive listing, although it’s not so easy to decipher what it says. Bottom line, it seems like the record was in VG++ condition and the cover somewhere about VG. It sold for $1,500 with just one bid, which always makes me a little suspicious.

Doug Watkins, At Large, Transition 20. This was an original pressing, with the booklet. Based on the description, this one looks to be about VG+ for the record, VG or VG+ for the cover and M- for the booklet. It sold for $1,136.

Dexter Gordon, Dexter Blows Hot and Cool, Dootone 207. This looked to be an original with the red vinyl. The record was listed in VG condition and the cover was listed as VG++. It sold for $933.50.

Catching Up: Byrd, Tenorman, Golson, Cool Struttin’

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:

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Jazz Vinyl on eBay: Blue Notes, Bird, Transition

Here’s some nice jazz vinyl we missed:

Lee Morgan, Lee-Way, Blue Note 4034. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing. The record was listed in M- condition and the cover was VG++. The price was $847, which is by far the highest we’ve seen for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.

Kenny Dorham, Afro-Cuban, Blue Note 5065. This  was an original 10-inch pressing that looked to be in very nice condition: The record was VG++ and the cover was M-, with a crisp, clear picture. The price was $811.91.

Doug Watkins, Watkins at Large, Transition 10. This was an original pressing that was listed in

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More Jazz Vinyl For the $2,000 Bin

Here’s some jazz vinyl for the $2,000 bin:

Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550. This was an original pressing and it was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The price was $2,142. A few months ago, I catalogued all of my Blue Notes for insurance purposes. For each record, I put down the condition and assigned a value to it, based on current market conditions and historical trends from the Jazz Collector Price Guide. Well, based on price trends, I’m going to have to go back and reassess the values and make them higher in most cases. For example, I don’t have an original pressing of this record, but I have an original of Hank, Blue Note 1560. My copy is M- for the record and VG++ for the cover. When I did the spreadsheet earlier this year, the value I assigned to this record was just

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On eBay: Blue Note, Transition & Hyperbole

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

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A Few More For the $1,000 (and $2,000) Bin(s)

This one has been breaking the $1,000 barrier pretty consistently: Louis Smith, Smithville, Blue Note 1594. This copy seemed to be in VG+ condition for the record and VG condition for the vinyl, based on the seller’s description. Still, it sold for $1,148.

Jazz Record Center had a few more in the $2,000 bin, including: Tommy Flanagan Overseas, Prestige 7134. This one was in beautiful M- condition and sold for $2,650.07. One of the nice things Fred often does in the listings is provide little details that help to expand our knowledge of the market. In this case the little tidbit is that there is no address on the cover because Prestige at the time was transitioning from New York to New Jersey.

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Back on eBay and The Bidding is Busy

Hey, everyone. Seems since I came back everyone stopped using the Reader Forum. It would be a shame if that trend continues, because I find it very useful and, at times, more interesting than my own posts. Nevertheless, I am back and I am back to posting and I am back to looking at records every day on eBay. Which means today I am looking at pretty nice auction from Fred Cohen at the Jazz Record Center, which many of you were also watching in the Reader Forum. Here are some of the choice items, closing soon:

Donald Byrd, Byrd Blows on Beacon Hill, Transition 17. This is an original pressing, labels unattached (of course) with the booklet in beautiful condition. The current price is $1,791. I’m saying the record sells for $3,300. Anyone want to take the over or the under?

There’s also this on Transition:

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On EBay: Norgans, Riverside, Transition, More

Here are some interesting items on eBay now:

My friend Steve at Roundagain Records in Providence has a few nice records closing pretty soon, including: Bud Powell, Jazz Original, Norgran 1017. This is an original yellow label, deep groove pressing. The record is VG++ and the cover is VG+. The price is already close to $150. Here’s another Norgran: An Evening With Anita O’Day, Norgran 1057. This is also an original yellow label pressing. The record and cover are in M- condition and the price is about $115. Here’s one more: Lucky Thompson, Lucky Strikes, Transition 21. This one is in VG+ to VG++ condition for the cover and record and it includes the booklet, which is not always so easy to find with the record anymore. This one is close to $200.

This one is more than $80 but hasn’t yet met the seller’s reserve price:

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On eBay: Warhol, Burrell, Byrd on Transition

Here are some records we’re watching on eBay:

Kenny Burrell, Blue Lights Volume 1, Blue Note 1596. This is an original pressing with the West 63rd Street label and the Andy Warhol cover. It looks to be in very nice condition, listed as EX+ by the seller. By the way, how do you interpret Ex+ — I think of it is as less than Mint and better than VG+? Anyway, this one is EX+ and is currently priced at about $350 with a few hours left.  Here’s another one from the same seller: Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This one has the West 63rd Street address but it does not have the deep grooves. The vinyl is listed as M- and the cover is listed in EX condition — what is that,

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Price Updates: Sonny Rollins, Bill Evans, Duke Pearson

Some more for the Jazz Collector Price Guide:

Sonny Rollins Plays, Period 1204. This was an original pressing in M- condition, both record and cover. The price was $610.

Phil Woods, Pairing Off, Prestige 7046. This was an original pressing with the New York label. The record and cover were M-. The price was $338.

Bill Evans, Moonbeams, Riverside 428. This was an original pressing with the blue label.

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Today on EBay: Miles, Monk, Warhol and More

We’re back after taking the weekend off. The week on eBay gets off to a decent start today, with a few nice items to watch for the Jazz Collector Price Guide. We have a few items of our own closing today, including: Andrew Hill, Compulsion, Blue Note 4217. This is a mono pressing with the New York USA label and is in V++/VG+ condition. It’s only $25, so it might end up being a bargain for someone. We’re also watching these items, from other sellers:

Miles Davis, The Musings of Miles, Prestige 7007. This is an original mono pressing with the New York label from Euclid Records. The record is in M- condition and the cover is VG++. The current price is about $130. I’m not sure how many of you ever go through the archives at Jazz Collector, but there are a lot of interesting items from the past that are worth finding. For instance, back in May 2004, I did a small birthday tribute to Miles (he would have been 78) and at the end I listed my Top Five Miles Davis records. I mention this, because this record, The Musings of Miles, was on that list. Click here to check it out.

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Getz & An Autographed Stitt for the Price Guide

Here are some records we’ve been watching at Jazz Collector and which will be entered soon into the Jazz Collector Price Guide. We’re big fans of the Verve label and we believe there are still bargains to be had among Verve, Norgran and Clef LPs. This one, however, usually fetches a pretty collectible price, as it did recently with two separate copies: Stan Getz in Stockholm, Verve 8213. One of these was sold by Euclid Records and went for $210.50 in M- condition, both record and cover. The other copy was sold by a relatively new seller and was in VG++ condition, both record and cover, and it sold for $205.50. 

We often like to watch autographed copies of records signed by our favorite artists. Here’s one: Sonny Stitt, Prestige 7024. This was an original New York pressing signed by Stitt. The record was VG+ and the cover was VG. The price was $133.61. 

Some of the items we watch fail to get any bids. Here’s one: Donald Byrd, Byrd’s Eye View, Transition 4. This was in VG condition, both record and cover, and did not have a booklet. The starting price was $349 and there were no bids. We used to keep track of these in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, but not anymore. Now we track records that actually sell.

Another $1,000 Item, Plus A Few More

We were right in predicting that this record would surpass the $1,000 barrier:  It was in near mint condition and it is a rare Blue Note and it was being sold by Euclid Records. We’ve seen it sell for more than $900 previously in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, so it was no surprise that this copy sold yesterday for $1,563. 

Here are some of the other items we’ve been watching that will be entered into the Price Guide:

Wes Montgomery, Full House, Riverside 434. This was an original blue label pressing. The record was in VG++ condition and the cover was VG+. The price was $255. This is always one of the higher priced Montgomery collectibles, ostensibly aided by the presence of Johnny Griiffin on tenor. 

Bobby Hutcherson, Happenings, Blue Note 4231. This was an original New York USA pressing. The record was M- and the cover was VG++. The price was $221.40.

Paula Castle, Love Lost, Bethlehem 1036. This was an original 10-inch pressing in M- 

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Today on eBay, January 30, 2009

Here are some of the records we at Jazz Collector are watching today:Lucky Thompson, Lucky Strikes, Transition 21. This is an original pressing, with the booklet. The record is listed as M-, the cover as VG and the booklet as M-. The current price is about $160. Art Blakey, A Night At Birdland Volume 2, Blue Note 5038. This is an original 10-inch LP. The record is M- and the cover is VG. The current price is about $150.

This seller, Sweedeedee, has a bunch of nice items closing in the next 24 hours. Here are a few: Gene Ammons, Jammin’ With Gene, Prestige 7060. This is an original New York pressing. Both the record and cover are listed in M- condition. It is currently priced at a bit over $100. Here’s a black-label copy of John Coltrane, Giant Steps, Atlantic 1311. The record is listed as VG++ and the cover as M-. The current price is about $210. And here’s one, frankly, we’ve never seen before: Eric Dolphy in Europe,  Debut 136. This is the original Danish pressing. The record and cover look to be in M- condition. The current price is $360, but we’d expect this to go for quite a bit more. 

We posted a little late today, so we missed a few items, which we’ll be plugging into the Jazz Collector Price Guide later this weekend. Among them are: 

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Today on eBay, January 27, 2009

Here are some interesting items coming up on eBay today. Also, make sure you see the post we did at Jazz Collector earlier on The Blue Note Story and please post a comment on the site so you’re eligible to win the free copy of Hank Mobley, Workout, Blue Note 84080. Now, without further ado, today’s records:

This seller, recordgraveyard1, has a bunch of records up today, most with pretty high start prices. This is one of the ones that started high but has already received several bids: Duke Pearson, Hush, Jazz Line 3302. The record is in VG++ condition, and the cover is VG+. The current price is $339.  Also from this seller, with no bids yet, is Donald Byrd, Byrd’s Eye View, Transition 4. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG condition, perhaps a little better. There is no booklet. The starting asking from is $349. We’ll see if it sells. 

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