Jazz Record Center Auction: Blakey, Clifford, et al
Our friends at the Jazz Record Center have a new auction going this week and it’s always fun to watch their items to get a good gauge on the market. So far, it looks like a little bit of slow going. Here are some of the items:
Art Blakey, The Jazz Messengers at the Cafe Bohemia, Volume 1, Blue Note 1507. This is an original Lexington AVenue pressing with the deep grooves, frame cover, flat rim. It looks to be in M- condition for the record and probably around VG+ for the cover. The start price on this is $100 and as of now there are no bids at all. No bids on this one yet either: Clifford Brown Quartet, Blue Note 5047. This is an original 10-inch pressing that looks to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The start price is $250. This one, no surprise, is getting some action: Tommy Flanagan Overseas, Prestige 7134. This is an original pressing that looks to be in M- condition for the record and at least VG+ for the cover, but more likely VG++ to M-, depending upon how you look at things. This one is already more than $1,000 and I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t make the $2,000 bin, but I won’t be shocked, since this seems like a bit of a soft time in the market.
I have a Lex Ave copy of Cafe Bohemia 1507 and I’m surprised to see how often they surface if you compare it to volume 2, ’cause I hardly ever spot one. And if I do it’s usually a reissue. Or am I just not looking well enough?
I have two Volume 2s(both original, one in VG condition and one in M- which was the upgrade). I don’t have an original of Volume 1 though. This one looks like a beauty.
…This may be a soft time in the 1st pressing market, but the second pressings seem to be doing alright. Here’s a second pressing of one of favorites that I just happened upon while doing some Prestige scouting on an otherwise rainy day:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SONNY-ROLLINS-SAXOPHONE-COLOSSUS-ORIGINAL-PRESTIGE-LP-/320691163513?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item4aaaaed179
Speaking of Sonny…(I’m off topic with this one as usual I know, but it Sonny Rollins !)
He is going to be interviewed on WBGO 88.3FM tomorrow on The Checkout with Josh Jackson at 6:30pm, and it can be streamed online at http://www.wbgo.org
Enjoy !
Picked up a late ’60s reissue of TF Trio last week for $10. Great album.
@Don-lucky. I’m new to collecting jazz vinyl. In the case of the Sonny Rollins, how does one know if this is a first or second press when the seller states it’s an ‘original press’?
@Cazoon: To some extent it’s difficult, because every label has it’s own rules.
For Prestige – like the Sonny Rollins – the number of the record should have another adress:
Starting with PR7144 all LPs should have the Bergenfield-adress. LPs with lower numbers should have “5oth St. New York” on the label (with a Deep Groove).
So the “Saxophone Colossus” is a second pressing.
Hey, Mike, any chance I can buy your VG copy of Cafe Bohemia Vol.2? That is of course if we can agree on a nice price 😉
@Cazoon …Katharsis got it for you, but one invaluable reference if you haven’t heard about it already is Fred Cohen’s new book called ‘Blue Note Records – A Guide for Identifying Original Pressings’ available at the Jazz Record Center:
http://jazzrecordcenter.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_9&products_id=2277&zenid=c3e4a3e591fe06ec6a76aff2d3fbd6dd
It’s a great resource for all things Blue Note. Enjoy !
Sorry, don-lucky. I didn’t want to anticipate your answer.
No worries Katharsis, I was asleep at the proverbial wheel when that one came in. Good to know someone out there is pickin’ up the slack for me ! 🙂
Thank you guys so much for your answers.
Hey guys… Here’s another ‘second pressing’ ebay shocker on one of my personal favorite LP’s:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370504305314&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
This one isn’t in great condition, and although it seems to have an original cover (ink tint aside) the LP itself is a second pressing as it is missing the New York 23 address variation on Side 1.
Mattyman, let me give it a look when I go home. I haven’t looked at or played it in a long time and would like to verify again that it’s original and that it is at least VG. I’ve had to go back and check some of the Blue Notes I bought when I first started collecting before there was as good of info available on what constitutes a first pressing.
@don-lucky …I guess I am going to have to get Fred Cohen’s book. The JC Blue Trane description states ‘original first press mono’ , but clearly you have identified as a second pressing. Things can get a bit confusing, especially if the seller isn’t even aware of what they are selling or do they?
@Cazoon… These days, you can never be too sure with ebay. Some sellers are very reputable and have a policy of full disclosure, but some on the other hand may not be fully up to speed on what they are selling or they may be trying to hide a lie between two truths as they say in the business. You can usually tell by how detailed the descriptions are, how the photos are taken, and how they respond to bidder questions. At the end of the day, it’s all about researching the details, (that’s part of the fun) and the Jazz Collective is definitely an invaluable resource for all of us.
Amen don-lucky! Do the research, I shall.
The market is really flat right now. I sold another 23 or so last week and only one went to Japan again. Those folks are still reeling. Here in the U.S. we’re paying through the nose for gasoline and suffering the recession, etc. Precious little “mad money” going around.
Mattyman, I checked it out. It’s not a first pressing. I has the lexington label but no Flat rim. Also the cover has the wrong address, so I’m thinking it’s a late 50’s early 60s vintage. It plays without skipping but a moderate amount of surface noise. If you are looking for a listener I’d pass but if you are looking for an early pressing in ok condition then shoot me an email.
I don’t remember what I paid for it, I do remember it was one of my first 1500 series Blue Notes and I thought it was a first at the time. Thanks to the internet and Fred’s book I have a better comprehension of what is a first and what isn’t.
Hello Mike, well thanks for sorting that out. Since my Vol.1 is a true first pressing, with all the details including the flat rim and the correct address an all that, I’d like to -of course- add a Vol.2 with all the right details to my, still humble, stack of Blue Notes as well. I mean, I don’t mind later (but still pre-Liberty!!) pressings, but I’m sure there has to be a true Lex Ave Vol.2 for a fair price out there. After all, I obtained the Vol.1 for an acceptable price as well! 😀
I agree, keep looking. Mine extra isn’t too hot and I think you can find another nice one.