Benson, Bird, Dex and More
Last week I posted that video of the guy who bought George Benson’s record collection (In The Mailbox: Yikes, Yowzas & George Benson’s Collection). Now we are starting to see some records from the collection coming onto eBay, starting with Dexter Gordon, A Swingin’ Affair, Blue Note 4133. This is an original New York USA pressing featuring Sonny Clark on piano. The record is listed in VG condition and the cover looks to be about VG+. The bidding is in the $125 range with eight days left on the auction. There are already 16 bids and 83 watchers, which will surely increase with this post. It’s a great record and a nice collectible: Does the fact that it was probably owned by George Benson have an impact on the price? If you were considering buying this record, would it matter to you?
From the same collection is Kenny Dorham, Afro-Cuban, Blue Note 1535. This copy is still sealed in shrink wrap, with what looks to be a clipped corner. Based on the available evidence, I would take an educated guess that this is a United Artists pressing from the 1970s. The bidding is already at $220 with 100 watchers and eight days left on the auction. I have a feeling someone is going to pay more than $1,000 for this, get it in the mail and never open it.
Also on eBay: Charlie Parker Sextet, Dial 203. This is the original 10-inch LP listed in VG condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The start price is about $500 with no bidders so far. I still don’t have any of the original Bird 10-inch dials, but $500 for VG is not within my comfort zone, even though I would love to have the album.
I have both pressings of Afro-Cuban,the original Lexington and the UA.Due to the vague red color I am sure that this one on Ebay is a UA pressing.
Kees.
The description for the Dorham does state early UA pressing which I appreciate. My pet peeve is sellers who conveniently leave such pertinent info out and let the buyer try to figure out the tricky wordplay in the description.
the seller of the Dial is very reliable and accurate, even if the prices are sometimes high.
I concur with Clifford. The seller of the Dial LP is a very thorough grader and reliable seller.
Not sure knowing a record comes from G. Benson’s collection affects its intrinsic value; but that fact alone is certainly bringing attention to the seller’s auction which will almost certainly have an impact on the end result.
The seller has a couple of negative feedback marks, which would be a flag to me, but do buyers still consider that in today’s market? Who knows. Will be fun auctions to follow!
The George Benson you tube story by the seller is a interesting one . $ 500 for a VG Dial 203 , and not even the original 1st pressing blank back cover, no way ! but maybe someone will bite, after all it’s a 10 inch dial record, and they tend to sound better than 10” Blue notes in lesser condition
Blank back or not, it’s an original first Dial, easily worth a few hundred dollars.
Paul : I am not in disagreement that the record is not worth anything, it’s just not worth $500 based on the VG condition and the non blank back cover
I think the George Benson connection is fun and interesting, and there will be a price premium that the market is willing to pay, but it will be temporary. I remember the Herb Wong collection that sold on ebay some years ago and how many eyes were on those auctions, with (then) crazy bids. However, the allure seems to fade by the time the record is put up for sale again. You’ll be able to say “used to belong to George Benson” or “bought it from a guy who bought it from Benson” in the description, but you won’t have as big of an audience watching, and the more owners you are away from the artist, the less the allure. Not saying everyone will be flipping, but this hobby for many is a process of continually upgrading.
I hate to be a wanker, but as a writer I can’t help but find it maddening how the Dexter seller bastardizes the possessive apostrophe, using it where he shouldn’t, and not using it where he should.
“Cover/Sleeve – No Seam Splits – See Photo’s.
(I prefer to let the scans speak for themselves rather then grading sleeves/cover’s)
This is from George Bensons personal collection.”
Other than that, aside from a couple visible lines the vinyl looks nicer than VG, no?
$500 plus for a UA pressing? Shheesh..
Who would have thought my $5 clipped corner of the same pressing would be so,uh,”valuable”? If I only knew it was wanted that much I would have sold mine for,I don’t know..say $300? Yeah,I know I’m all heart-but it’s not all about the money,you know!
(Orchestral strings slowly draw to close,while Ceedee does a Chalplinesque walk into the distance-fade to black)
“Aww…” ?
Cedee – Maybe it is the George Benson factor that was particularly strong here and also the fact that it was sealed. Otherwise I cannot fathom the price….!