Catching Up: Walter Davis on UA, Jackie, Sonny
Here are a few items we’ve been watching on eBay. Given our recent interest in later pressings, particularly Blue Notes, we were curious about this record: Walter Davis, Davis Cup, Blue Note 4018. An original pressing of this would normally sell for more than $1,000, and we’ve recorded one instance of this record fetching $2,000 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide. This record was not of that distinctive lineage: This was a United Artists pressing, similar, unfortunately, to the one in my collection. It sold for $34, which seems about right, unless you’re the seller bobdjukik and can somehow sell it for $400 or more.
This was from the same seller, but it was an original: Jackie McLean, Swing, Swang, Swingin’, Blue Note 4024. This one was in VG+ condition for the vinyl and VG or VG+ for the cover. The price was $273.60.
Here’s one of my favorite Sonny Rollins records, at a reasonable price:
Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders, Contemporary 7564. This was an original stereo pressing with the deep groove and heavy vinyl. I know some collectors on this site recently discussed the quality of Contemporary recordings, and I always found this one to be particularly well-recorded. Great Rollins as well. This one was in M- condition for the vinyl and VG+ or so for the cover. It’s hard to find an original of this one without some wear on the cover. This copy sold for $113.50.
To continue with the discussion regarding the value of later pressings… Does anyone out there have any information on the average number (per title) of original pressings produced by Blue Note back in the 50’s & 60’s vs. the numbers produced on later pressings and re-issues ? I am thinking that they probably had a standard first run quantity, and depending on the popularity of each title they would press more. Seems logical right… These records probably don’t find their way into the trash like so many other possessions do with the passing of each generation. By rights there should be a reasonable amount of inventory out there for all us Jazz collectors right ? I guess it just depends on e-bay availability, supply & demand, the condition of the LP etc.
My point being, beyond superior quality of original pressings, what else has an affect on the price of Blue Note LP’s beyond the pressing ? Is it the fact that many collectors instinctively want the first of something or an original from the time it was released ? Is it the rarity, the availability, market value, trends or all of the above ? I keep thinking with each passing auction (especially if I didn’t win) that there will always be another one posted eventually, and hopefully it won’t be in as much demand the next time round… Sadly it is all too easy to get caught up in the hype in our “instant gratification” society. Especially when we are lead to believe that these could be unique “once in a lifetime” chance items, when in actual fact they were most likely a mass produced product, which might not be as rare as we think. It would be an interesting experiment to flood the market with original mint condition original first press DG Ad Lib “Jackie’s” or Prestige “Sonny’s” and see if they still pull in +$2,000… Probably not. So where are all those mass produced pressings now ? Is there really that many of us out there or are they hiding in Grandma & Grandpa’s basement for some lucky individual to find like buried treasure at a garage sale some day… That is rant for this evening. I feel the need to have a dram of scotch about now before I pay my e-bay invoices tonight… Any one else need a drink ?
Hey, Don-Lucky, if someone would flood the market with first-press Ad Lib Jackie McLeans, I’ll happily be the first in line to pick up a copy. 🙂
Guys,the odds of there being a sighting of either of those goodies decrease with each passing day,let alone a flood! However..what I find amazing is the crappy CONDITION that many of the originals are in! I know that the gatefold covers of a lot of 60’s CSNY,Zeppelin and Electric Ladyland LPs were used to roll doobies(at least,that’s what I’m told),but what reason did anyone who was hip enough to buy a first-run of.say, “Dial S For Sonny” have for treating the record so poorly? Stains,spine damage,scratches for days,names scribbled in magic marker on the cover-we’ve all seen those kind of records. So,the questions remain-no only where are all those “mass-produced” goodies,but why is the condition of those that do show up,so LOUSY?(And Don,if you will-I’ll have a kahlua and milk. I have to drive!)