Big Bids, Some Sell, Some Don’t
Back in action after a long, lovely Labor Day weekend. When I last saw everyone, I had a bunch of items on my eBay watch list and many of these have subsequently been sold, so let’s see how they did:
Lou Donaldson, Wailing with Lou, Blue Note 1545. This was an original pressing with the New York 23 address. It was listed in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. You would have expected it to sell, particularly with a top bid of $1,030. But, alas, a purchase did not take place because the record failed to meet the seller’s reserve price. Interesting because the $1,030 would have been the highest we’ve ever recorded for this record in the Jazz Collector Price Guide. The same seller had a few more than got nice bids but didn’t get to the reserve price, including: Donald Byrd, Art Farmer and Idrees Sulieman, Three Trumpets, Prestige 7092. This was only in VG+ or VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The top bid was $306.50 but, again, no sale.
These two got nice bids and did sell:
Joe Henderson, In ‘N Out, Blue Note 4166. This looked to be an original pressing with the ear and Van Gelder in the dead wax. It was listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $344. Perhaps VG+ is the new VG++.
Joe Henderson, Page One, Blue Note 4140. This also looked like an original pressing, also in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $449.
High reserves for sure. Probably didn’t help matters that the seller was in Turkey (though I’ve never had problems with shipping from that part of the world).
Looks like Three Trumpets is back up with a BIN price of $400. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ART-FARMER-DONALD-BYRD-IDREES-SULIEMAN-THREE-TRUMPETS-PRESTIGE-DG-ORIG-LP-MONO-/400565719128?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item5d4393d058
Interestingly, the same seller has a copy of Freddie Roach “Mo Greens, Please!” that is autographed to Richard “Prophet” Jennings (“to our Swedish Prophet”), visual artist and inspiration to players like Max Roach, John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy. Got me to wondering whether these albums were from his collection.
Well, I butchered that, but here’s the auction anyway: http://www.ebay.com/itm/FREDDIE-ROACH-MO-GREEENS-PLEASE-AUTOGRAPHED-ORIG-BLUE-NOTE-LP-MONO-GREAT-COPY-/400565719129?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item5d4393d059
Definitely from Jennings’ archive.
Ha, Al, I have to snicker when you note that a record is in “only VG+ or VG++ condition for the vinyl”. Have we all set unrealistic standards for what to expect from a 50- or even 60-year-old piece of vinyl? These things were made to be played and touched and held (caressed?) and transported and lent and borrowed and everything else, and yet 60 years later we seem to shudder that such an item may not still be in pristine condition!
I think there needs to be a sliding scale or something like it based on grading certain collectibles and records are one of those items. I get it that beautiful pristine copies do exist and are in high demand, but is it really so disappointing to come across a 1955 Blue Note that is “only” in VG++ condition? I’d be pretty darn stoked!
Unfortunately a lot of people are pretty liberal with VG+ or even VG++ grades, which now tends to mean a pretty well-used album and for such high prices, that’s not too enticing. I’d rather have a $25 Japanese pressing that plays perfectly than a beater original, keeping in mind that most of my NY USA Blue Notes are what I would call a “strong VG+” and purchased for pretty reasonable prices years ago.
I’d rather have a VG original than a japanese pressing with no soul. And it’s pretty unreal really to find these beauties in near mint condition. It’s worth every penny, and that’s why I try to concentrate on buying only pristine copies. Sometimes, however, you have to maybe accept a lesser condition for a album that’s extremely rare, jus to have it in your collection. But VG++, to me, is really really good. VG+ could be acceptable in some cases, for example on old Swedish Metronome EP’s and such.
I have a 1st pressing of Grant Green’s “Am I Blue” that sounds as if the previous owner played it a million times with a nail instead of a diamond stylus. Result: the continuous sound of a big, crackling camp fire in the background. Still I play it regularly when I’m home alone, ’cause the music has a power that even the RVG remaster on CD can’t match.
–
So I hear what you’re saying, Clifford, but I have to say that I agree with Fredrik 😉
Yeah, I guess it’s all up to the individual. I can’t deal with a lot of surface noise and certainly wouldn’t pay a lot of money for that experience, but realize I’m in the minority there. These days I pull out albums I bought many years ago when condition wasn’t an issue, and it often puts me into a “what was I thinking??” mindset. A clean VG++ is fine by me, but elusive in the internet marketplace. Most LPs graded M- are VG++ anyway.
OT, but figured someone here might have seen this oddity before?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37595587@N00/9702524380/
Probably a goof by Liberty records during the transition?
Only similar thing I’ve seen like this is I have a stereo copy of Finger Poppin’ that has the designation ‘BST 4008’