JRC Auction: John Coltrane Autograph
We’ve written off and on here at Jazz Collector about autographs. Our favorite was the letter from Bill Evans to John Coltrane that was auctioned for $38,000 five years ago. If you want to check that out, click here. We were reminded of this when we received an email announcing the latest auction from the Jazz Record Center and we saw that they are selling a John Coltrane autograph. This one is not so enticing as the Evans letter, but it is a Coltrane autograph and there can’t be too many of those, can there? Anyway, it has a start price of $100 and there is already one bidder. This is one that I think will entice jazz collectors everywhere: A nice, small Coltrane autograph, easy to frame, easy to hang up on a wall, a very nice item to show your friends and family. Hmmmm, perhaps I’m talking myself into something here.
As I suspected — or perhaps because of my post? — this item is getting some play. It’s already at about $160 with four days to go.
with autographs there is the inevitable question of authenticity, who is going to certify the authenticity of the autograph? With Fred I have no doubts whatsoever, but what happens when for instance I would sell the autographs in my possession?
I have autographs of Art Blakey and Lee Morgan on the concert program of the memorable 29/11/1958 Sceveningen concert, which was issued on CD (Jazz Band EBCD 2128-2, U.K. 1996), I have Lee’s and Wayne Shorter’s on a piece of paper from the concert the Jazz Messengers gave in Scheveningen on 14/11/1959 and of the four members of the MJQ on the concert program of 24/10/1959. Ditto Cannonball Adderley 19/11/1960 on the concert program.
I know they are authentic, but I cannot prove it, there is only circumstantial evidence (the concert programs and the newspaper articles from the period).
For me these autographs have no particular value and will follow the outcome of Fred’s auction to have some ideas of the value. Maybe I will auction them off.
Both Rudolf and I have commented many times on the autograph issue in the past, and as you guys already know I am a shameless trophy hunter when it comes to getting my LP’s signed. For me it adds that personal touch to my collection…I always try to get a photo with the artist as well, if only to add to the wall in my office, but it is also a great way to authenticate the moment. The question of authenticity certainly comes into question if buying second hand, so it helps to do your research as always, (ie. backstory, dealer reputation, origins, signature comparisons etc) Unfortnately, at the end of the day, it is next to impossible to really know for sure unless you were there to get it first hand, and eBay has some really questionable dealers out there. Neverthe less, an autograph for me is the icing on the cake if you will, and adds another dimension to ones collection. It’s also a great way to support the artists, who are often selling / signing CD’s after their set… It’s up to us as Jazz patrons to support the artists and their music. (Bob did !)
…Ok, so who was the lucky bidder on this one ? (I hope at very least it was one of the “Jazz Collective”) I’ll admit, even I bid on this one after Al’s sales pitch… Congratulations whoever you are, it’s certainly a decent addition to the ‘ol collection !
p.s. – Here is a great link with a detailed account of the ‘Guernsey Jazz Auction’ back in 2005 at F.P. Rose Hall at Lincoln Center that Al mentioned above if anyone is interested:
http://antiquesandthearts.com/AW-2005-04-12-13-48-40p1.htm
don-lucky:thanks fro the informative link. It’s helpful to know the quality of bidder that one has to go up against,on or off Ebay(“Hey,I feel better now-I think I musta lost out to Clint Eastwood!”). Although,I must admit,the image of watching “jazz buffs groove”(insert fingersnaps here) made me wince!