Aiming High for Rare Jazz Vinyl
As prices of rare collectible jazz records have continued to rise over the years, I’m noticing that more sellers on eBay seem to be using the strategy of starting their auctions at higher prices, often prices that are higher than what would seem to reflect the prevailing market limits. I’m not sure if this has always been the case, or it is just something that is striking to me because I tend to look at higher priced records in doing the Jazz Collector site. For those of you who’ve been here long enough to recall, I wasn’t always focused just on the higher priced records. However, as I’ve had less time time to devote to the site over the years, and as I stopped selling records myself on eBay, I find it is a bit easier and less time-consuming to search predominantly at the top end of the market. One of these days, when the real works starts drying up, I’ll try to go back to taking a broader perspective. In the meantime, several of these types of auctions have caught my eye this week, starting with: Jutta Hipp with Zoot Sims, Blue Note 1530. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing with the flat edge and frame cover. The record is listed in VG condition with the admonition that it plays with “some noise.” The cover is VG with seam splits, writing on the back and perhaps some staining. Looks more like VG- to me, but I’m not looking to quibble. The start price is about $1,500. So far there are no bidders with more than three days left on the auction.
Here’s another: Miles Davis, Birth of the Cool, Capital T-762. This is listed as a second pressing, and I could use some help here from our readers. What is it that makes this a second pressing? To me, it looks like a first pressing with the turquoise labels. Anyway, this one looks to be in pristine condition with a start price of $300. So far, there are no bidders with nearly six days left on the auction. And one more: After Hours with Thad Jones, Kenny Burrell, et al, Prestige 7118. This is an original New York yellow label, listed in VG+ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover, although I would never grade that cover VG+ based on the pictures. The start price on this is $400, and there are no bidders so far. I would always recommend to sellers that they be conservative in their grading. To me this is a good case in point: Most discerning buyers would look at that cover and say VG at best, and even that would be generous So, what happens is, as a potential buyer you question the grading of the cover, you naturally question the grading of the record. So, for $400, you start with a couple of pretty big questions. Then again, if the seller really wants $400 for this record, a VG- cover isn’t going to help.
it’s a second because it says “high fidelity – long playing” and not just “long playing”. MAJOR props to that seller for doing the homework!
Is that actually a frame cover? Looks more like tape residue to me.
sometimes those high starting prices get a bid. a hand-painted Pullen/Graves “Live at Yale” got one bid at $3,000 yesterday.
Wish that BLP 1530 Hipp/Sims was in better condition. I’ve really been trying, for like two years, to find a true original first pressing in at least VG+ condition (or preferably better) for both cover and LP. I’ve seen others for sale on eBay and around, but there’s always something wrong that disqualifies them. If anyone on JazCollector.com knows of one for sale, or can point me in the right direction, that’d be swell…
That Jutta/Zoot is relisted for the 2nd time, since (obviously) the first time, it went unsold. The starting price then was the same as it is now. I agree with Al that there is a noticeable trend towards listing items at very high prices, but that typically don’t sell. A quick search through ebay confirms this. However, there is an original NM Bill Evans “New Jazz Conceptions” listed (from Germany) that is currently over $3000 with a few hours to go, but it started at $999
I think that 1530 is a frame cover; if you look at the supersize detail pictures, you can see the raised edges under the front slick. But the jacket and record look pretty hammered to me — G+ or VG– at best — and I’d take a hard pass at more than $10.
Hip and Zoots. That’s a hammered record. Back in the day, I’m talking nearly 30 years ago, I’d sell records like this for under $5.00 in my store and still get folks complaining about condition.
How could one possibly even contemplate spending that kind of doremi for a record that is in such abysmal condition.
Guess there’s more fools that ever these days.
Wow! Missed that Pullen/Graves “Live at Yale” (not that I would have bought it). Probably my least favorite art work of the hand painted ones I’ve seen.
I used to work at a book and record store where many of the original jazz records in VG– (or worse) condition were priced as though they were VG+ or NM copies as per Goldmine. One week when the owner was out I priced all that crap at $5-$7. It all sold and I was so happy to have those records gone (we certainly needed the room).
Ha! Now we know why we are not discussing here any mint rarities that sell for pennies! Al just spilled the beans. He just does not point our attention to that blossoming market segment! He must be grabbing all of them himself… Hope everyone is having a good day in that winter weather in different parts of the country.
I also think that Jutta Hipp is a frame cover because a later construction cover would have been split all over from that degree of edge wear. And, that thin line of rubbing just above Zoot’s name is probably the wear on the egde of the “frame” line.
The Hipp is the kind of record you’d pick up in a thrift store and want to wash your hands after handling. I simply don’t understand current collecting trends. Ah well — I’m clearly the wrong demographic. So be it.
Dear Alun, “the Hipp is the kind of record you’d pick up in a thrift store and want to wash your hands “ Not me ,I’d put on the turntable and smile all day long !
Your truly, pop, hiss, and click. Art
Birth of the Cool first appeared as a 10″ LP in 1949. It wasn’t titled “Birth of the Cool” rather “Classics in Jazz”. There are 3 additional tracks on the 1956 twelve-inch release. I wasn’t aware of the label variation & had to check my own 12″ copy to see whether it had “high fidelity long playing” or just “long palying”. Long Playing :]
Art, I meant only in terms of its grungy condition 🙂
My dad had the Jutta Hipp/Zoot Sims record in his collection when he passed, but I’m not quite sure how to identify the pressing. The label has the “Lexington Ave” printing on it. I’m not sure what to look for concerning the cover either. Any advice?
two years later and that Hipp/Sims would surely have crossed well into the $2K bin !