Into the Woods (At the Right Price)
I was watching a few items from the Jazz Record Center auction that closed yesterday, including Phil Woods, Woodlore, Prestige 7018. This was an original yellow label New York pressing that looked to be in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The final price was $493.88. In looking at this auction, I realize I’m still somewhat of an old-school collector whose attitudes haven’t changed all that much, even as the value of the records has increased over the years. I love this record and have never owned an original pressing. As you know, I’ve been collecting jazz records for nearly 50 years. Still, as much as I would want an original pressing of this record in may collection, I would prefer to go without it at this kind of price — even though the market value will likely increase — and continue to wait until I get lucky and find it for a price I feel is reasonable. It’s not the money and it’s not even the principle. It’s more like the ingrained habit and the ethos of “this is how I choose to collect.” If I want to listen to Phil Woods, I have a lot of other great Phil Woods records to listen to. If I really want to listen to Woodlore, I have my Japanese pressing. That’s good enough for this collector.
Case in point, here’s another great Phil Woods record, of which I do own an original pressing: George Wallington, Jazz For the Carriage Trade, Prestige 7032. This was an original promo copy in M- condition for the record and the cover. The final price was $700.
This one fetched a higher price that I am accustomed to seeing: Miles Davis, Workin’, Prestige 7166. This was an original New Jersey yellow label in M- condition for the record and the cover. The final price was $520.
One more: Jackie McLean, 4, 5 & 6, Prestige 7048. This was an original New York yellow label in M- condition for the record and either M- or VG++ for the cover, depending upon your proclivities and perspective. This one sold for $843.
Alright which one of you beat me out on Serge’s Boston Blow Up? ?
Not from JRC, but this record regularly eludes and attracts me:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PAUL-GONSALVES-Cookin-ORIG-1958-ARGO-626-JAZZ-LP-DG-MONO-BLACK-LABELS-EX-NM/352306433570?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
That Paul Gonsalves record has eluded me as well. It’s a very good record but I don’t think it’s $400.00 good. I don’t understand why people go crazy for this particular title but nobody pays much attention to his other releases.
Well, Boom-Jackie-Boom-Chick and the UK Columbia with Tubby Hayes are pretty expensive too…
GST, boston blow up can be had for 50-75 dollars M- if you are patient. but i admit it took a long damn time.
outbid on dolphy yet again. sigh.
I had the Paul Gonsalves. It is a fine record, nothing unforgettable though. I eventually sold it because it had clicks. It is the kind of record you don’t know exactly why it is more expensive/sought after than others. . Would never pay 400 for it
I bought my “Boston Blow Up” for $15. I saw one here in Portland a few months ago for $10, and I’m not sure why I didn’t buy it. It was in good shape too.
$500 is a lot of money. But Woodlore is a great record, more than 60 years old, and scarce in such clean condition. Many lesser records are sold for multiples of that price. Also, the peace of mind gotten from buying from JRC is worth at least a few dollars. Good buying IMO.
Funny you mention that mentality thing Al. I have the same thing with retro video games which I collected quite seriously for several years before getting into records. I still buy some on occasion these days but balk at how much prices’ve risen – there’s this one SNES game I really want but I refuse to pay the going rate of about 70-80 euros because I remember when it could be had for about 20. I’m hesitant to buy any game for over 50 euros really. At the same time I think nothing about paying over 100 euros for a record. Amusing how that works.
Well heck if any of you run across a nice “Boston Blow Up” let me know, especially if it’s under $20! 🙂
GTF – Hit me up. I have a nice Out to Lunch if you don’t need the DG.
Is it just me, or does nearly every JRC listing remark that the LP was “perhaps played once”? I saw that statement on a title that also claimed audible marks on the vinyl. It wouldn’t stop me from bidding … I just find it humorous.
But on another point, we moan and groan (rightly so) about the price escalation of rare jazz vinyl, but try collecting the halo titles in comic books, or Star Wars action figures for that matter (just review the recent prices realized at Hakes … jeez).
I love all the comments above: from Gonsalves, to video games, to DG, or Woodlore’s values… it sounds like the family I want to be a part of talking over dinner. I’m writing as I’m most interested in Al’s comment regarding the sound of his Japanese version vs the first press of Woodlore, a topic of my own struggle in the past six months of posts and comments.1) How does your current version sound? 2) Would the first press, if you had it for whatever reason, sound better? 3) If it doesn’t “sound” better to your ears in the Pepsi/Coke Blind Taste Challenge, how much is the first press “object” worth vs the equal/better sounding alternative? (Open Question: I’m really trying to sort this out from you 1st press jazz mentors. Please weigh in on this question of understanding how the sound of the quality reissue is valued differently, in every way, from your first pressing)
That does seem like a high price for Workin, usually you can find a good quality copy for around $200.
This guy has got a few copies of Workin’ https://youtu.be/oCe7RKzFP9c
Daryl. The first press always sounds better, even if it doesn’t, if you get my drift. Plus the cover is better, the record feels better in your hands, if there are any marks on the record they are better, the surface noise is better, everything about it is better because it was the copy that was original pressed at the time that the record was originally recorded and released to the public and sitting on the shelf of an original record store that likely went out of business many, many, many years ago.
Al : you made my day with your answer. I will use it for the rest of my collector’s life.
The Paul Gonsalves is worth it just to hear the legendary Chicago pianist Willie Jones do a “Cecil Taylor” with his solos. ( pity the piano was so out of tune) . Apparently both Sun Ra and Andrew Hill mention he was an early influence.
He did have a 78rpm out on Vee Jay back in 1954 but good luck finding that one.
Re Al’s comment on first pressings. It rather sums up why I like people’s names on records, discretely posted of course.
It gives one a sense of the moment in time, when someone bought this and owned it back then.
A record I prize greatly is Dizzy Gillspie’s “School Days” on Regent. Not that it is totally great music or rare or mint, I treasure it for this inscription on the back,
“To the “coolest” guy around, Love Jayne and Sue” 58
And I am left to wonder who was this guy who got this record back in 1958 and who were Jayne and Sue and what became of their lives and how did this record wind up in a thrift store, now closed on Old Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, Florida.
So this is completely off topic but a copy of Wayne Shorter- Speak No Evil in VG+/VG+ 1st Mono just sold on ebay for 737.00. Seems insane.
I saw that Scott and it wasn’t even a first pressing – no ear in dead wax (if this seller doesn’t mention it, it isn’t there). If it did have the ear I could just about see this price but without, yeah, that’s silly.
MAc, Yeah I know it’s more or less standard on JRC auctions. Probably played more than once if marks on record, but on the other hand the LP could have been needle-dropped at first play so….I have not bought much from them but customers seem to be happy at least. What I don’t like is their photos that are crappy with strange colors and burmed out white. I really wonder why? Either they don’t care because of thier excellent reputation or they cannot take pictures or learn to. I can take better pictures with my cell-phone…And now that I’m on a complaining mood I think it’s not treally fair that they do not mention that the cover of Thand Jones NY Junction LP is the 2nd variation. Fred writes this himself in the book. Strange omission.
I have bought sealed records with weird marks on them and so it is possible to have a barely played record with a few squiggles or a nick. Overall I have been happy with JRC but I think one has to really look at these records in person to judge… agreed that their washed out scans are not all that enticing.
O wow thats even crazier I thought it did have an ear. Even with the P it would be the 2nd highest price for Speak No Evil ever per Popsike. Why I try to stay away from auctions.
Well, that’s a tad expensive:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/John-Coltrane-A-Love-Supreme-original-mono-Test-Pressing-LP-/332539356941?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=ARt79fwQqsVY1pCVetS7G3BiUp0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
David J – The seller bought only paid $300 just a year and a half ago. I just wish all my records were going up in value this fast.
https://www.popsike.com/Test-Pressing-JOHN-COLTRANE-A-Love-Supreme-Impluse-A77-Van-Gelder/172373963916.html
Woody, can’t say it’s gone up till it actually sells which this one hasn’t, it’s been relisted. This guy’s just throwing out a line and seeing if any suckers’ll bite – good to see things haven’t gotten so crazy that somebody has.
Cellery – I was being facetious, the $19,000 asking price is perfect for April Fool’s Day though.
Wow. $767 for Speak No Evil ? I’m glad I purchased my VG+/VG mono ear copy for about $20 ! These numbers are becoming eye popping….and head scratching.