Alas, Condition Counts

Back to the business of watching records on eBay, starting with: Lee Morgan, Search for the New Land, Blue Note 4169. This is not typically thought of as one of Morgan’s collectible albums and, indeed, it only shows up twice in the Jazz Collector Price Guide and in neither case did it break the $100 barrier. In this listing, however, the seller adds an interesting twist. He claims he bought the album sealed, never played it or opened it, and then broke the seal to list it on eBay to determine whether it was an original pressing, which, surprise, it actually is. So, if the seller is to be believed (I say, why not), then this is truly a mint record. The price has been bid up accordingly and is now at $200 with more than two days to condition.

Here’s another from Lee: Lee Morgan, The Cooker, Blue Note 1578. This looks to be an original pressing with the West 63rd address, deep grooves, ears, etc. It is listed in VG+ condition for the record and M- for the cover. I’d expect that the bidding would reach at least into the $500 range, given what we’re seeing with VG+ Blue Notes of this era, and perhaps

the seller has the same expectations. This one is now at about $230 with about 15 hours left in the bidding, but it hasn’t yet reached the seller’s reserve price.

May as well make it an all Blue Note morning: Miles Davis Volume 1, Blue Note 1501. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing listed in Ex condition for the record and Ex+ for the cover. I do wish everyone would use the same grading system, but I assume this one is in pretty nice shape. The bidding is in the $200 range. with a little more than a day left.