Grails, Holy Grails and Actual Jazz Records
Nice discussion on the previous post. Here are a bunch of rare jazz records on my eBay watch list as I prepare to take a brief holiday. Let’s start with Donald Byrd, Byrd Blows on Beacon Hill, Transition 17. The seller uses one of our least favorite terms, “Holy Grail,” which wouldn’t apply to this record even if it was suitable language, if you get my drift. Anyway, this looks to be an original pressing with the booklet. The record is listed in Ex condition and the cover looks to be a fairly generous VG. The bidding is in the $1,300 range with more than four days left on the auction, so you could see this in the $2,000 bin when all is said and done. The top price for this record, according to Popsike, has been about $3,840. I was fortunate when I purchased the collection in Baltimore to get a beautiful clean original copy of this record.
Here’s an interesting copy of John Coltrane, Blue Train, Blue Note 1577. This is a not-quite-original pressing with the West 63rd Street labels, but no New York 23 label. This is another one in which the seller feels compelled to use the word ‘grail,’ although not a holy one, just a regular old grail. The record and cover look to be in very nice VG+ condition. The bidding is in the $210 range with about four days to go. To me, this would be a lovely, acceptable copy to own. I can’t imagine that it sounds one whit different than the version with the New York 23 label. I have a nice original pressing of this record, as well as a duplicate that has the West 63rd labels, the ear, the RVG signature and only one side deep groove. What do you think the provenance of that pressing is, and what do you think it would be worth in VG++/VG+ condition? I’m curious because I did offer it for a price to one of our loyal readers.
This one looks like a prize: Presenting Ernie Henry, Riverside 222. This is an original mono pressing with the white labels and it seems to be in M- condition for the record and the cover. The start price is $150 and so far there are no bidders with about five days left on the auction. There is also a promo stamp on the back.
Joe Henderson, Page One, Blue Note 84140. This looks to be an original stereo pressing with the New York USA labels. The record is listed in Ex condition and the cover VG+. The start price is around $300 and so far there are no bidders with more than three days to do. My preference on these Blue Notes is always for the mono pressing, although I can’t exactly tell you the reason. Maybe someone can explain it to me.
The Jazz Record Center has an auction going now, but it’s not one of their usual high-end collections, although this is a nice item: Ray Bryant Trio, New Jazz 8227. This is an original deep groove pressing with the purple labels. This looks to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The start price is $100 and so far there are no bidders with about five days left on the auction.
That copy of Presenting Ernie Henry has too much shelf-wear on the back cover qualify as NM to me.
Isn’t the original pressing of that Ray Bryant album on Prestige with NY labels? I thought the New Jazz was the second pressing.
The Ray Bryant is nice, but its a second pressing. The original is on Prestige, yellow and brown label.
Still a pretty high-end collection of underground jazz that JRC has on offer, what with those Strata, ImHotep, and other private press releases. Black Survival and the Maulawi are poised to do serious damage.
Agreed Clifford…
100% clifford. those records are rarer than most prized blue notes, even if they sell for less money.
I have those Penck records — the Jeanne Lee and Billy Bang — and they’re cool. The Jeanne Lee is especially nice and less sought after than her previous outing on Seeds/Earthforms.
As usual Clifford I’ll be looking up those albums you mention so thanks.
Al I’ve too wondered about the preference towards mono. Is it a collectability thing (i.e. rarity) or do people prefer the sound? I have a feeling a lot of folks are in the former category which is perfectly reasonable. Although there is a lot of nostalgic love for mono even if you didn’t grow up in that era.