@ Cazoon: since my funds are limited, first pressings are most of the time too expensive. So a later pressing (but still pre-Liberty) is usually the best solution to own the record. In this case however it’s clear from Fred’s book that the 1st pressing of Somethin’ Else does not have the “R”. Call it nitpicking, but in his answer to you, Bob also makes a mistake, where he says, quote “The “R” disappeared from the Blue Note labels at some point in late 1958 or 1959…” but that is just not correct. Initially, the trademark was nowhere to be found on the BN labels. The “R” appeared on the labels later, not disappear, and the last release with no “inc” and no “R” was 4016. As a rookie I may not have the experience and knowledge that the older cats here obviously do have, but personally I think that if you advertise a record as an absolute 1st pressing when it obviously is not, that it’s just not right. And it may result in price hikes for later pressings as well; something I’m not too happy about. Last but not least I don’t dig Bob’s remark that his Adderley “feels” like a very first pressing. It’s like saying my Datsun “feels” like a Jaguar. It’s still a Datsun! 😉

‘ I checked my database of images (13 years worth of images) and found about 15 of them. Of those, 9 were mono, 6 stereo; of the 15, only six were original (63rd street) pressings with deep groove (which must, by definition, have “ear” in them). Not one lacked (R)egostered trademark symbol. I then went to popsike.com and did a little research, but my search was hindered either by the poor quality of the images, or by the lack of them (popsike will archive only one of the seller’s images, not all) or by poor descriptions (not many sellers will care to list the “R” information). The “R” disappeared from the Blue Note labels at some point in late 1958 or 1959, which means that, technically, you should be right: there SHOULD be NO “R” on the label. Whether this is actually the case with this particular title, I have to be honest with you, I am not sure. If this is of paramount significance for you, may I recommend that you pass on this copy, However, in every respect (“Ear” stamp, deep groove, address on the label, RVG machine stamp), this very much both looks and “feels” like a very first pressing. Thank you for your interest in our auctions and kind regards Bob Djukic.’

I sent Bob an email on this particular Cannonball listing and the correction that was necessary, he was going to update the listing with my note so that folks would know whether or not it was a true first or a “mega rare second”. Pretty sure that he’ll do this.

And re: Fred, I have nothing but extremely high regard for him, always have – not just based on the integrity of his listings and the accuracy, but also for the guidance that he’s given me over the years as I’ve built up my own collection.

Yes, from time to time Bob doesn’t get it quite right re: a first BN issue versus a later one, and the Cannonball is a case in point, but when I pointed this out to him yesterday he was quick to do his research and get back to me with a confirmation that yes indeed, this issue likely wasn’t a first. Perhaps Bob should get a hold of Fred’s book for the BN background, I have found it to be a invaluable guide for me when buying old BN records and would love it if Fred could do a similar book for some of the other more popular labels — such as Prestige, Columbia, Atlantic and others.

On the other hand I do agree with you that if a good Blue Note from the pre-Liberty era is available for a price that’s much, much lower than what you’d pay for a true 1st pressing, then I, too, don’t mind buying that one. pre-Liberty is still as original Blue Note as it gets 😉