How About Brubeck Collectibles?
I’m going through all of the old Web posts and newsletters from 2004 and 2005 and updating them and putting them on the site. I ran into an item, which I’ll post in a second, in which a reader asked about our Price Guides and why we didn’t include any records from Dave Brubeck. The answer, basically, is that Brubeck records are not really among the most highly pursued collectibles and don’t normally get top dollar. So, on eBay this week, I was caught by surprise by the price of this record: Dave Brubeck Quartet, Jazz Red, Hot and Cool, Columbia 699. This record sold for $160.50. Apparently what makes this rare (and valuable) is that it’s an original white label promo that was released as part of a joint promotion with Helena Rubenstein, promoting the lipstick worn by the model on the cover. Generally promo copies don’t make all that much difference in value, but apparently this one turns this Brubeck record into a collectible of note. As for the original correspondence about the Price Guides and Brubeck and collectibles, I’m reposting those as comments to this post. Please post your own comments if you’d like.
Hi, Al. How come I see no Dave Brubeck in your price guides. Thank you. — Mike Mueller
Hi, Mike. I generally watch records in the price range of about $40 and up and I rarely see any Brubecks in that price range. — Al
Hi, Al. How about all of his early 10-inch Fantasy releases: 3-1 to 3-20? They do average $40 to $100 depending on condition. I know most on eBay are crap. I’ve gotten quite a few of those. I’ve been collecting him for four years now. I have most of the 10-inches on black, red, green, blue and purple vinyl. I’ve been trying to find out which of the colors are more valuable since Goldmine does not indicate color. The EPs with pic sleeves are fun to collect also. Thanks for the reply. — Mike
Mike, I’ll keep an eye out for them and start including them if they’re in the price range. – Al
To our other readers, two questions:
1. Does anyone know if there’s a difference in value among the multicolored Brubeck vinyl on Fantasy?
2. Are there any other artists you’d like to see with more representation in our Price Guides?
Post a comment if you would like to reply.
incorrect.. the reason this sold for so much is that its NOT the six eye but the exceedingly rare label that preceded the six eye: the so called maroon label (which inthis case is white)
the maroon label went out right around billie holiday’s “lady day” lp or 637..to see it in 699 is striking…i have to check my copy.. i’m pretty sure its six eye.. the seller did not realize his was not six eye but the buyers saw the picture..
by the way welcome back and please don’t leave like last time..i was genuinely worried
Hi, Serge. Thanks for the kind words and sorry to have worried you. This time I think I’m back for awhile. I checked my copy of the Brubeck LP, and it’s the six-eye (in beautiful condition, I might add). It also doesn’t have the Helena Rubenstein promotion. So it’ll be interesting to watch on eBay and see if another one comes up and what might, or might not, drive the price.
Al, I’ve got a question for you. I always thought that the Monk Prestige 7053 original record cover was with MONK written on the front of the jacket. I have the Prestige 7053 record with a photo of Monk with a 50th st. NY address on the back of the jacket. And I have another Prestige 7053 cover without his picture with MONK only on the front with the NJ address. Which is the first pressing? Thank you. Jon
Hi, Jon. I have to confess my ignorance on this one. I’m familiar with the MONK 7053 cover and not the one with the photo. If the photo cover has the NY address it sounds like it could be an original. I’m hoping one of the readers to the site will have the answer. I’ll post it here for now, but maybe highlight it later and see if we can generate a more knowledgeable response. Anyone else have an answer to this one?
The photo cover is the original. The white letter cover is the 2nd issue, which coincides with Prestige’s moving from NYC to N.J.