Eric Dolphy Autographs (?), Blue Notes and Other Stuff

Now that I am back looking at listings on eBay more regularly, I’m reminded of some of the reasons I was turned off a couple of months back. So many sellers who clearly don’t know what they are doing, asking for ridiculous prices. So many records in poor condition and so many sellers clearly misgrading what they are selling. So many come-ons and promotions from eBay, pointing to other listings that I am not interested in seeing, pointing to sellers who are paying extra money to get additional eyeballs. Anyway, that’s my rant. But I’m still here and I’ve found a few items of interest among all of the other BS. Such as Eric Dolphy, Outward Bound, Prestige New Jazz 8236. This looks to be an original deep-groove pressing with the purple labels. Moreover, it seems to be signed by Eric Dolphy and Jaki Byard. Of course, it would take an expert to determine if the signatures are legitimate (Dan, are you still out there?), but to these untrained eyes, they seem legitimate. The record is graded VG+ and the cover is VG. The record has been listed previously, the current price is about $160, the auction closes in about five days, and the seller’s reserve price has not yet been met. Interesting, because if the item was in mint condition and did not have the autographs, it would likely sell for a higher price. In my experience, autographs don’t always add to the value of the record and, in many cases, they seem to detract, particularly if they are not easily verifiable.

The same seller has another one ostensibly signed by Dolphy: Mal Waldron, The Quest, Prestige New Jazz 8269. This also looks to be an original deep-groove purple label. The record and cover are both listed in VG condition and the bidding is in the $140 range.

Here are a couple of Blue Notes that may sell for “reasonable” prices: Donald Byrd, Fuego, Blue Note 4026. This looks to be an original deep groove pressing with the West 63^rd Street address.  The record looks to be in VG or VG+ condition (probably VG based on the seller’s description) and the cover looks to be VG++, quite clean. Bidding is around $140 and the auction will close in a few hours from whence this post goes live.  Art Blakey, A night at Birdland, Volume 1, Blue Note 1521. This looks to be an original Lexington Avenue pressing listed in EX condition for both the record and the cover. The cover looks really nice in the picture. Bidding is close to $200 with more than three days left in the auction.