Are You Ready for the $6,000 Bin?
Got a note from our friend Japhy yesterday pointing me to this: John Coltrane, Blue Train, Blue Note 1577. This was an original pressing with the New York 23 labels and “Review Copy” stamp on the labels. It was listed in Ex+ condition, which I would imagine to be VG++, and the sellers points at that there are some “slightly audible” tics. The cover is listed in M- condition. Not that it matters, but it had a Blue Note inner sleeve with the Tina Brooks album Back to the Tracks, which, to my knowledge, wasn’t released until sometime in the 1980s. In any case, this record sold for $6,343, which is certainly why Japhy would have forwarded it to me. According to Popsike this copy of Blue Train, tics and all, sets a new price record and is the first to surpass $5,000, let alone $6,000.
Is it time to create a $6,000 bin? Not just Blue Train, but there was also this: Kenny Dorham, Afro-Cuban, Blue Note 1535. This was from the Jazz Record Center auction and was an “original” 12-inch pressing. I use the quote marks because the original original was the 10-inch version, with fewer tracks, but all of the Afro-Cuban variety. This one was in pristine condition and sold for $6,421.12. This topped the previous high price by more than $2,000. From that same auction there was Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1543. This has the Andy Warhol cover and is the last of the Lexington Avenue Blue Notes. This was also in pristine condition for the record and the cover. It sold for $2,412, once again setting a new price record.
I’ve heard contradicting views regarding the tint of the original cover being more deep blue or pale blue. Regardless, all original covers will lack the “INC” after BLUE NOTE RECORDS on the back, like this one.
Dan, the original cover has a more green(ish) tint and the title is grey rather than white. I had an email conversation with Fred Cohen about this, and he confirmed that this is a second cover. My guess is that this listing was a mix n’ match of cover, record, and paper sleeve.
Another possibility, which I discussed with Fred, is that promo-stamped records are not always from the first run. I suggested this some time ago, in the course of a discussion of a promo-stamped BLP-1568 that did not have a NY23 label.
Paul: interesting observations. It is quite logic that a record company, when sales are stagnating, decide for an extra booster and distribute a few promos to frîendly radio stations.
I confirm that this was a second sleeve print for the reasons you gave. A third version was the non laminated sleeve at the end of the life cyclus with NY labels.
My copy (with 47 West 63rd NYC with INC labels) has “INC” following BLUE NOTE RECORDS on the back of the jacket yet the cover has a more green(ish) tint and the title is grey rather than white. How does this fit in?
Aaaron, I’m not sure, but what you describe does not correspond to first or second art for this release.
Rudolf, I completely agree.
Aaron/Paul:
My 1577 has the title in a brownish tint and ‘blue note 1577’ in grey. The labels are 47W63 without ‘R’ and Blue Note without Inc. on the labels and on the rear of the sleeve.
I would have thought this configuration to be the first original.
P.S. of course I should mention the greenish tint of the front.