Back in Action and, Finally, Back on eBay (Looking, Not Selling)
I promised to get back to watching rare jazz vinyl on eBay, so here I am again, but at some point I also expect to weigh in on some of the comments on the previous post. Meanwhile, we have Paul Gonsalves, Boom-Jackie-Boom Chick, Vocalion LAE 587. This looks to be an original British pressing. The record and cover are both listed in VG++ condition. The bidding is in the $280 range with more than two days left on the auction. What’s the story on the record’s title again? I’m sure it’s been mentioned somewhere on Jazz Collector, but I can’t find it. From the same seller is Duke Pearson, “Wahoo!”, Blue Note 4191. This looks to be an original New York USA pressing. The record and cover are either VG+ or VG++, depending on your interpretation of the seller’s description. I would tend to be on the conservative side and go with VG+, but, then again, I am not a potential bidder for this record. For those who are potential bidders, the auction is currently in the $200 range.
Kenny Dorham and the Jazz Prophets, Volume 1, ABC Paramount 122. When looking at this record, you can’t ignore that big fat Volume 1. I wonder what they had in mind for Volume 2. I guess we’ll never know, unless someone out there in Jazz Collector world does know. Anyway, this is an original pressing in M- condition for the record and probably VG++ for the cover. The starting bid is around $300 and so far there are no takers. This record has sold for more than $1,000 at least one time in the past, so it will be interesting to see where it ends up. Not having been on eBay for a few weeks, I’m wondering if anyone has noticed any changes in pricing and bidding in light of some of the turmoil in financial markets the past few weeks. My gut feeling is that there is little relation between what goes on in financial markets and what goes on in jazz vinyl markets, but perhaps someone has a different theory.
Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus, Prestige, 7079. This looks to be an original New York yellow label. The record and cover are both listed in VG condition and there is mention of background noise, but the seller describes it as minimal. As a listener I’m sometimes OK with what I consider to be minimal, but get the sense that minimal is in the eyes of the beholder, or in this case, the ears of the listener.
regarding Dorham Vol.2, there’s some information in this J.R. Monterose discography
https://jazzdiscography.com/Artists/Monterose/jrm-disc.php
under 19 July 1956. Lineup is similar as before except for Dolo Coker (p) and Edgar Willis (b). Tapes are reportedly lost…
If I’m not mistaken the Gonsalves’ record’s title was paying tribute to Gonsalves’ heroin dealer…
I have been absent from Ebay as a seller since they imposed the new rules, I.e. Ebay cashing in on behalf of sellers. In a test auction of two 10″ Debut originals, Max Roach and Ada Moore, I noticed a considerable jump in price levels.
Yes Rudolf – high prices indeed. I was bidding on that Max Roach, but the end price surprised me! I have however noticed that your auction prices are very high generally no doubt because your LPs are in great condition and you are a trusted seller.
yes, Jackie Sharp, club owner and saxophonist “among other things.”
Thanks for the clarification Clifford.
If the Dorham was really nm then the buyer got a screaming deal. Having said that, my experience with the seller leaves some questions about the condition. That said, there are still some deals to be found if you’re lucky.
I purchased a M/M original of the Gonsalves LP nearly 25 years ago for, if memory serves, $500. Since than I’ve watched prices rise as high as $1500, then fall precipitously but never below what I originally paid. The music, by the way, is splendid, with special praise for “Poor Butterfly”.
European Gonsalves sides are plentiful, including two with Tubby Hayes. Over the years I’ve tracked them down and secured all I found. I don’t regret a single purchase.
BTW, the here-and-gone Japanese LP reissue of “BJBC” immediately was offered for far more than it’s original price. I bought it on Day One to use as a “play” copy.
This post sent me back to my collection of Mole Jazz catalogs from the ’70s — my celebrated “brother can you spare a dime years” of a perennial student. To read what was available then and the set prices being asked … I wonder if Stewie Griffin will let me borrow his time machine.