$1,000 Jazz Vinyl (And Not)
Back in action. Let’s do another live tour of random rare jazz vinyl now listed on eBay. Let’s start right at the top: Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This is an original West 63rd Street pressing. The seller grades it in “Ex” condition. Seller only has a rating of 95.7 on eBay across more than 8,000 listings, but when you read the feedback it seems to be overwhelmingly positive. If I were bidding, I probably would not be concerned, but I will not be bidding. Even though I sold my original pressing of Candy more than 30 years ago and have since been unable to replace it, the starting price of $3,500 for this copy would be way, way, way out of my comfort zone. So far there are no bidsThe same seller also has Introducing Lee Morgan, Savoy 12091. This is an original pressing with the deep red label. The record and cover are listed in “Ex” condition and the start price is $1,500. So far there are no bids.Here’s a high-ticket item that does have a bid: Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1543. This is an original pressing with the Lexington Avenue address and the Andy Warhol cover. To my recollection, this is the last of the Lexington Avenues, right? The record and cover are both listed in “Ex” condition, and the cover seems to have held up pretty well over the years. A white cover is usually likely to show some wear, and this one does, but it seems pretty reasonable to me. I’d be happy with a copy like this. There is one bid at $1,000 and the auction closes in a little more than five days.
This is one of interest to me: Fred Astaire, the Astaire Story on Mercury. This is the original 1952 limited edition boxed set, number 224 out of 1,384, signed by Fred Astaire. The seller has listed the entire package in M- condition. The start price is $700 and the auction closes a few hours from whence I am typing this. There is a buy-it-now price of $1,000. So far there are no bidders. When I first started collecting jazz, this was a highly desired piece, often selling for more than $1,000 back when $1,000 could have bought you several rare Blue Notes. Times change. Fred Astaire was once an icon. Now, who knows, is there any name recognization for a star whose career peaked in the 1930-to-1950 time frame? And the music on this package is not going to wow anyone interested in the 1960s Blue Note catalog. Ah, well. I have my copy and I intend to keep it.
Finally, below we have a cartoon, courtesy of my friend Danny (he didn’t do it, he just sent it):
That cartoon is very funny.
…I believe there is an unspoken rule in this sphere to disclose one’s penchant for record collecting on the fourth date ! (heh heh)
I miss the glorious days of jazzcollector.com.
Nice debate, good contradictions, interesting point of view.
Its so silent here.
So, everybody’s on IG showcasing his “top 2023 scores”, hoping three smileys and one more follower ?
I don’t think so.
I agree 100% with Michel!
I’m fully with you, Michel.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/296243318459?itmmeta=01HR6NJ6SZYNB1YXHZH40H0E7K&hash=item44f97a4ebb:g:L0cAAOSw7Ghl2g43
Wow !
@Michel… US $12,600.00 Damn !!! It’s certainly one of the nicest NY 23 original pressings of Blue Train I’ve seen to date. You don’t see these come around that often given that it is such a quintessential Jazz album, and collectors tend to hang on to them for dear life. Truth be told, it was the first Jazz album I ever bought back in high school, and one of the first original pressings I hunted for when I began collecting vinyl… Albeit my copy is in rough shape by comparison.
The only question mark on the JRC copy is the cover… Maybe it’s just the photo, but it appears to be the second variation. According to Fred Cohen’s infamous guide (p.106/107 in the first edition), the earliest version of BLP 1577 originally had a dull greenish-blue photo and grey “Blue Train” lettering on the front, while the later versions have a blue photo and white “Blue Train” lettering. (*You can barely make out John’s hair in those earlier variations)
Re the sleeve, Don lucky is absolutely right. I have the earlier version, but the labels are not N.Y. 23. Many collectors in the early days were unaware of these differences. They went unnoticed and sometimes sleeves were exchanged for upgrading.
Further to the conversation, later sleeves showed a blurred Curtis Fuller on the pictures on the bottom. Fred’s copy shows a clean Curtis.
@Rudolf …Just to be safe, perhaps it is a good idea not to tip off our significant others how much that copy of Blue Train just fetched, as they may very well vanish one night! (heh heh.)
Am I wrong in thinking this is among the highest prices ever fetched for a Blue Note on ebay ever ? (Aside of course from those highly suspect “Bobby-d” auctions of yesteryear)
Don – Lucky: as far as I know, this is the highest price ever paid for a Blue Note. In my opinion, we are in the realm of people fearing a total collapse of the financial structure who wish to ditch their available cash and decided for an investment in a Blue Note. I for one would go for gold as a refuge.
@Rudolf …Agreed ! Gold is a great place to weather fiscal storms. (However, original Blue Notes are worth their weight in gold these days, and they sound better ! ?)
Aloha Don & Rudolf, I was just thinking with the way spending and inflation is in this country and watching precious metals, a tangible asset that is appreciating right now, maybe certain Blue Notes and other Jazz lp’s can be added into the “commodities” category! Lol ?! Mahalo!
Aloha Kyle, it is not as laughable as you think. The appreciation rate has been staggering. The depreciation rate may be staggering too. Future will tell.
Let’s not forget the tulip madness in the 17th century in Amsterdam.
Cheers and fully enjoy your Blue Note’s without fear for the future.
Aloha Rudolf, I hear you! I was being somewhat sarcastic but am amazed because of current conditions, the prices still going up. The JRC just had a Mobley record go for over $10,000! And not the one most would think. I know condition is very important. I am amazed that the Blue Train record did so well given it had a later cover. By the way, speaking of plants as you brought up tulips, something of interest here in the states are heirloom seeds, not modified. Many people are looking for these seeds when planting in their gardens. Yes to enjoying the BN’s and other labels with this great music! I love to spin my records not just to look at them! Take care now. Mahalo.