Month: July 2012

A Trio of Blue Notes For a Monday Morning

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Here’s some of the jazz vinyl we’re watching on eBay this week:

Here we go again: Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568. This is an original pressing in M- condition for the vinyl and VG++ for the cover. It closes soon and the bidding is in the $2,150 range, except it has yet to reach the seller’s reserve price. I noticed on the listing that the seller points to Jazz Collector for help in ascertaining the value. We’re pleased an flattered and also reminded that we better upgrade our Price Guide this week.

Here are a couple more nice Blue Notes, starting with: Paul Chambers, Whims of Chambers, Blue Note 1534. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. Tough to find these Lexington Avenue Blue Notes in such nice shape. The price for this one has already surpassed $500 and we won’t be surprised if this one goes beyond $1,000. Not just an original Blue Note, but also has the presence of John Coltrane. Also, Johnny Griffin, A Blowing Session, Blue Note 1559. The vinyl on this one is only in VG condition and the cover is VG++. Still, the bidding has already topped $500. My personal experience with original Blue Notes of this era is that records that look to be in VG condition, generally sound pretty darn good, so perhaps other potential buyers are hoping that is the case for this record as well.

Catching Up On the $1,000 (Plus) Bin

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Here’s a few I missed, including one for the $4,000 bin and one for the $2,000 bin.

Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568. This was an original original pressing with the New York 23 on side 2. The record was listed in M- condition and the cover looked to be VG++. It sold for $4,617. Do you ever think about what these artists would feel about their records selling for this kind of money? This single record is a lot more than Mobley ever made for a record date and probably isn’t that far from what he got paid for his cumulate output as a leader on Blue Note. Amazing, when you think about it.

John Coltrane, Blue Train, Blue Note 1577. This was also an original pressing from the same seller. It was in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $2,045. That’s the first time we’ve ever seen Blue Train sell for more than $2,000 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.

May as well stay in the $1,000 bin:

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Jazz Vinyl: Zoot, Newks and More

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Let’s catch up on the results of the latest jazz vinyl auction from the Jazz Record Center. I follow their auctions closely because, to me, they are the most reputable of all dealers and, therefore, I see their auctions as fully reflective of market realities, no hype.

Zoot Sims, Down Home, Bethlehem 6051. This was an original red-label pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $510. I recently picked up my first copy of this record and listened to it the other day. Quite nice: Great Zoot and nice to hear early Dave McKenna. The copy  I purchased is in M- condition for the vinyl and VG+ for the cover. Very pleased.

Sonny Rollins, The Sound of Sonny, Riverside 241. This was an original white label pressing in what looked to be M- condition for both the record and the cover. The price was $426. This one went for a little more than usual: Sonny Rollins, Sonny Boy, Prestige 7207. The record looked to be M- and the cover was probably VG++, with a couple of minor blemishes. It sold for $170.39.

Grachan Moncur III, Evolution, Blue Note 4153. This was an original New York USA pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $688.90. Wow.

Lee Konitz, Tranquility, Verve 8281. This was an original pressing with the trumpeter logo. It was in M- condition for the vinyl and probably VG++ for the cover. It sold for $111.87.

 

Catching Up On Some Rare Jazz Vinyl

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Here’s an update on some jazz vinyl auctions we’ve been watching on eBay:

Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan, Peckin’ Time, Blue Note 1574. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. Interesting, isn’t it, that we’re no longer surprised when VG+ records sell for more than $1,000. This one fetched a price of $1,009. Interesting to look at the cover of this record, given most of the covers that Blue Note was producing at the time, usually featuring some kind of picture of the artist. Simple graphic of a red suitcase and not sure what that has to do with Peckin’ Time or Mobley. There are also no pictures on the back cover. A little bit strange, no? I wonder if there is a story behind the cover?

Here’s another one that broke into the $1,000 bin: Freddie Hubbard, Open Sesame, Blue Note 4040. This looked to be an original pressing, although the seller put in the wrong catalog number. It was listed in VG++ condition for the vinyl and Ex for the cover, which I still take to mean around VG+, although it could be better. This one sold for the same price as the other, $1,009.

I seem to be a bit focused on $1,000 Blue Notes today. Here’s another:

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Thinking About Language and Condition

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Time to catch up on some jazz vinyl we’ve been watching this past week, starting with Bill Evans Trio, Explorations, Riverside 351. This one was graded in EX condition for the vinyl — which I interpret to be what Goldmine would characterize as VG+. That is, not near mint, but a record that has obviously been played, but is mostly clean. I think people see EX and expect excellent condition and perhaps that inflates the price. The cover was listed as EX+, which I interpret as VG++. Looking at  grading labels and language people use is important, I think, in being an aware consumer and not being totally surprised by what you get. It would be nice if there were a universal language and grading system, but then again what would we do with all of the “insanely rare” and “holy grail” language that crops up so often? Anyway, this record sold for $512, a price that leads me to believe someone is expecting an “Excellent” record. What that means, I guess, is in the eye of the beholder.

This one, from the same seller, also got top dollar: Read more

A Jazz Vinyl Potpourri From Jazz Record Center

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We always like to watch the auctions from the Jazz Record Center because they are a nice gauge of the overall market. Here are a few items from their latest auction, starting with: Sonny Rollins, The Sound of Sonny, Riverside 241. This is an original pressing with the white labels. It is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The start price is $200 and so far there are no bidders, but we’d expect that to change. We’ve seen copies of this record sell for more than $500 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.

Bud Powell’s Moods, Norgran 1064. This is an original yellow label pressing. The record and the cover both look to be in M- condition. It has a cover design by David Stone Martin and has a start price of $100. We’d also expect this one to sell, right?

The bidding has already started on this one: Dizzy Reece, Star Bright, Blue Note 4023. This is an original pressing that also looks to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The auction closes in about five days and the bidding is now in the $260 range.

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Doubles, Anyone?

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I am somewhat buried in records these days, but not so buried that I can’t keep an eye on what else is out there. Here are some of the jazz vinyl auctions to watch on eBay:

Sonny Rollins, Tenor Madness, Prestige 7047. This is an original New York yellow label pressing that looks to be in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. As I think I’ve said, this is still my favorite Rollins record. Not just the presence of Coltrane, but the B side of this record is terrific, starting with Paul’s Pal. I find myself in a weird position with this record — I have an original New York pressing that can use a condition upgrade, but I also have two New Jersey pressings in M- condition. An embarrassment of riches, I agree, but I’d still love an M- New York  pressing. This one closes later today and is priced in the $225 range.

Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan, Peckin’ Time, Blue Note 1574. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The current price is less than $200, but we’d expect it to sell for quite a bit more. I would love an original pressing of this LP — perhaps I should be offering up some of my doubles for trade. At this point, I have some great doubles, lots of Blue Notes and Prestiges. Oooh, perhaps I could finally get an original copy of Shades of Redd.

The Rarest Ever? We’ll Have To See About That

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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.

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