A Tale of Two Sonny’s
Here’s another conundrum for you (and for me). I recently acquired a copy of the Sonny Rollins Volume 1 record on Blue Note, Blue Note 1542. The copy I just picked up is an early pressing, not a first pressing: It has the 47 West 63rd address, deep grooves, heavy vinyl, etc. It is in M- condition, with a cover that is VG++. The copy that I already own is a Lexington Avenue pressing, clearly an original. It is in VG condition. I have it on the turntable now. It is definitely a listenable copy, although there is clear surface noise. The other West 63rd copy plays cleanly with no surface noise. So, what do I do? Do I keep the original, even though the sound is not as good? Do I keep the later pressing, even though it is not an original? Do I dare to keep both and, if so, why would I do that when I can sell either one on eBay and use that money to purchase a Blue Note I don’t already own? I tell you, it’s hard giving up that 767 Lexington Avenue script in the label, even thought the condition is not so great. Especially knowing this LP is the next to last in the series with that address on the label.
Keep both. A rationale can be found with book collectors. Book collectors almost always have 2 copies of a book-a reading copy and a collection copy. Here, you’re not making a practice out of having two copies, just an exception.
Or sell both and get a better 767 Lexington Avenue copy.
This is an easy one to sort..
I will give you my address, you send them both to me, I in return will send you my Jap copy
There….your dilemma is sorted. …
waddaya say???
waddaya say???
never solved this problem: the Lex record has a Lex or West 63 cover?
keep Lex and look for a better copy.
Keep the one you will actually *listen* to and sell the other.. Whichever one that is. There are bigger problems than this, no?
I’d keep them both. I have a few situations where I have an original and another copy which plays cleaner. I would prefer not too, but keeping both is actual a compromise I make. It allows me to fulfill both of the functions of my collecting personality, to collect originals and to have great music to listen to.
if you can afford , i’ll keep both. If i needed money or wanted to trade it for something else, i would keep the clean west 63… for me it is original enough… it comes from the same period and has the same sonics… i like my BN to be as old as (financial) possible, but a second pressing from the same period would be just as much worth to me….
Yes, Alun, there are bigger problems than this, thank goodness. This is just fun, like the rest of the site, like collecting jazz records, like having a hobby that can help you escape from the bigger problems, no?
I’d keep both for now and let the earlier VG copy go down the road to help fund something else you’d like.
Tim’s answer is what I would say, too.
I used to collect ESPs and finally let go of my doubles and triples, just keeping the best copy and not fooling around with the space taken up by cover/label variations.
I would keep them both until I find Lex version in better condition and then sell both elder copies…
Agree with the rest: keep ’em both Al. 😉