A Really Rare Record & an “Insanely Rare” Record
Here’s some of the jazz vinyl we’re watching now on eBay, starting with: Charlie Parker, The Bird Blows the Blues Volume 1, Dial 901. This is the original 1950 pressing and is, to our collective knowledge here, supposedly the first 12-inch LP ever. Based on the description, it sounds as if the record is in VG++ condition. I wouldn’t mind having a copy of this (which I don’t). This one closes in more than three days, is at a little bit more than $100 and has a reserve price, which has not yet been met. Hmmmmm.
From the same seller is Hank Mobley, Mobley’s Message, Prestige 7061. This is another one I once owned and now regret selling. This one looks to be in VG condition, perhaps VG+, but probably VG. It is about $120 with a few days left to go.
If it’s “insanely rare” it must be the seller bobjdukic, who is back with a bunch of records, including:
Moondog, The Story of Moondog, Prestige 7099. This looks to be an original pressing. The record is described as M- and the cover as VG++, but the picture on the cover shows that it is VG+ at best, with a water stain. That should impact the price, which is about $100 with a few days left. There is also a reserve price that has not yet been met. The cover, designed by Andy Warhol, is the reason this one is valued so highly as a collectible.
It’s from his own personal collection!!!
Re: Parker,
I was at an estate sale in Chicago some years back. The ad for the sale claimed there would be a lot of records there; and as I stood in line to get in I struck up a conversation with the fellow standing beside me. Turned out he was an exac from a local blues label and was a collector just like me. We were pretty far back in the line and we reckoned that we were gonna be s.o.l. as far as vinyl goes.
When we eventually made it in, much to our surprise the records remained untouched! A small pile sat on the couch and this guy jumped forward and grabbed them all. I walked a little further and saw a beautiful Thorens turntable and sitting next to that was a stack of ten inches which I promptly picked up. I carried them around looking for more vinyl but finding nothing.
I ran into my new friend about twenty minutes later and we compared finds. I had a bunch of prestige, discovery, and blue note ten inches (nothing too valuable unfortunately). He had a bunch of 12 inches which for the most part didn’t interest me all that much with one exception.. The Bird Blows the Blues on Dial.
The cost per record, a dollar each. I still kick myself for not being a little quicker on the draw.
Dial 901 isn’t even the original issue. A few months earlier Ross Russell had been selling this record as DLP 1 through mail order only. Everything the same except for the number. A few years ago I was lucky enough to obtain a copy of 901 in VG+ condition (but no writing on the label). It sold for $980 on ebay.
Great tale Andy. Reminds me of the time, well I am sure we all have stories of the one or ones that got away.
Anyway Fred Cohen has a new eBay auction up:
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/jazzrecordcenter_W0QQLHQ5fAuctionZ1QQ_trksidZp3911Q2ec0Q2em283
with some very tasty Blue Notes that are SOOO far out of my price range that it isn’t funny
That Burrell/Jenkins would look really nice in my collection, but yeah, I’m instantly priced out.
I have the Burrell/Jenkins. On a Japanese King pressing from 1981, that is. Damage: $83 -Fred Cohen’s opening price for the 1573 is $1,000 and we still have a little over 6 days to go. In other words: I’m out. Again. 😉
He’s back. The great obfuscator. So easy to spot: he’s selling a TEN YEARS AFTER – WATT lp he sold(didn’t sell) last time and the list goes on! Let’s see who he decieves this time.
http://ww.popsike.com/TEN-YEARS-AFTERWATTORIG-1971-DERAM-LP-wPOSTERMINT/160640461914.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEN-YEARS-AFTER-WATT-ORIG-1971-DERAM-LP-w-POSTER-MINT-/140605873800?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item20bcc35e88
I find myself looking at Fred’s current or opening price, and I just nod, yup, yup, yup
He reflects exactly the desirability and scarcity of every record. The fact I couldn’t or wouldn’t pay that is beside the point. That is my problem, not Freds.I think he has his finger on the pulse. Correction. Fred is the pulse.
Does anyone know for sure whether the pictured 901 release above on the yellow label was pressed in 1949 or 1950? It’s been established that the DLP-1 was released in mid-1949, but I’m not as sure about LP 901 on the yellow label (not the red and yellow reissue).
Billboard does review the album on p. 65 of their Dec. 24, 1949 issue, and lists a catalog number of Dial (33) 901, so it seems that at least a few advance copies were available by that time.
Based on matrix descriptions posted in discogs and on ebay, DLP-1 and LP-901 on the yellow label, pictured have, the same matrix information in the runout, and it differs from the matrix information for the red and yellow reissue.
Any thoughts are appreciated.