Lady in $atin and $tereo
Here are a few more jazz vinyl auctions we are watching on eBay. This one is from the seller bobdjukic and it is always suprising: Billie Holiday, Lady in Satin, Columbia 8048. This is a six-eye stereo pressing listed in VG++ condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. It is always surprising in that this seller is somehow able to get collectible prices for this record, where no one else can. This one is already at more than $120. And the explanation is . . . ?
This is from the same seller at, at this point, it is actually priced at less than the Billie Holiday record: John Coltrane (et al), Tenor Conclave, Prestige 7074. This looks to be an original New York yellow label pressing. The seller lists the record in VG++ condition and the cover as well, but it seems clear from the pictures of the cover that the real condition is VG+. Perhaps why the bidding is relatively low, at about $115 with a few hours left on the auction.
I now have duplicate copies of this great Blue Note and will be figuring out my next step once I get a chance to grade and listen to both copies:
Hank Mobley, Hank, Blue Note 1560. This is an original West 63rd pressing listed in Ex condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The auction closes in a few hours and the bidding is in the $600 range.
Have been trying to figure out BD’s success for some time now & really don’t have an answer, unless it’s his glitzy & (seemingly) very complete presentations
But his valuations???
“Lady Satin’s cover is given a VG++, with the following particulars:
partially split bottom seam, partially split spine, ring wear, yellowing of back cover, wrinkling along spine, shelf wear of seams, bent corners.
as for his vinyl ratings, they are of course visual only.
One can only wonder what it would take to call a cover VG+.
But the real question is, do any of his buyers really read these descriptions, rather than blindly using his (clearly questionable) ratings?
Speaking of doubles,might it be time to unload a couple of your New Jersey pressings of this goodie…wow!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonny-Rollins-Saxophone-Colossus-Prestige-7079-SUPERB-/380804657877?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=BXFdeGlxSlk%252B0XCd4ETENTnLUvs%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
CeeDee — since my score in Baltimore, I am now in the quite fortunate position to own two near-mint NEW YORK pressings of Colossus. An embarrassment of riches, I must concede.
Yeah, I checked out that “Tenor Conclave” listing, and it is such a joke. The headline for the listing misleadingly rates the record as “NM”, but when you actually read the whole listing, you’ll find out that only one side of the record is “Near Mint” (and by the description, I think it’s more like a VG++). So if only one side of a record is Near Mint, it is now ethical to advertise the entire album as Near Mint! And Al, you’re right, there is no way that the cover is VG++. A VG+ on the lower end is more my guess.
Sax Colossus/Berg is one of the most valuable 2nd pressings around – one sold for over $1000 in October
Another of BD’s interesting things is his clasifying many of his stereo LP’s as “many” times rarer than the mono – glad to hear this about my stereo copy of “Everybody Digs Evans,” but where does he get this info?
And can anyone tell me whether “Insanely’ rare is more rare than “mega” rare or “ultra” rare?
Earl,thanks 4 Sax/Colossus info-I had no idea! As for “insanely rare”,I think that’s just past “ultra” but still well short of “super-duper”!
Hope that helps(lol).
Well, I have two Sax Colossi and would be willing to part with the New Jersey edition in VG+ shape for both cover and record, no writing on jacket, grading is rather conservative in my opinion.
I’d gladly take half of what Euclid got for their copy if anyone is interested and of course if any one has an offer.
I have sold on eBay as bsidechi so you can check me out if you wish. Got tired of paying eBay fees. So anyway the offer is out there.
Id be interested in a NY Address Sax Colossus if somebody has a double 🙂
I’ve also wondered about the enviable prices fetched by BD’s auctions. When I see statements such as “American Style” cardboard covers, along with the oft-mentioned hyperbole, my belief is that he must enjoy a strong international bidding audience of regular followers. That said, I still can’t wrap my head around some of these top auction prices he commands when a simple search of non-auction Ebay records will sometimes yield the same lp… in better condition… at a lower price, though not necessarily for the 1st pressing BN & Prestige at the center of this discussion. Wild!
BD’s tends to auction some nice stuff but the lengthy, over colourized descriptions he uses go beyond what most buyers really want or require to make a decision.
What I find odd is that while typing up that whole description or at least inserting info into a template, he could be play grading each record.
I personally will not pay $50 for a visually graded record let alone a couple $100.
Notice the other users who bid on his auctions. Winning ID of Lady in Satin: In the last 30 days, this user has made 125 total bids, of which 60 bids were made on bobdjukic’s items. This user seems to only bid once or twice on each item.
Similarly, the second-highest bidder on this item has made 75 total bids in the last 30 days, of which 28 bids were made on bobdjukic’s items. This user seems to only bid once on each item.
Maybe bobdjukic does have a loyal following of people who want to buy all of the items up for auction. But the fact that the users only bid once or twice on the item is a bit “shill”-y I would say!
I personally think BD has a strong international following probably shops and resellers in other markets like Japan, China, Russia etc that trusts his grading and judgdment. This guy knows records and labels and occasionally writes on londonjazzcollector.
I recently went to a record store here in Portland, Oregon (Crossroads) and did some crate diggin’. For $60, I came home with very good copies of: Jimmy Guiffre (1954) Capitol; Serge Chaloff (1955) “Boston Blow-up” Capitol; Dave Pell (1956) Jazz & Romantic Places- Atlantic; J.J. Johnson (1957) J is for Jazz- Columbia; Jack Montrose (1956) By Jack Montrose with Bob Gordon-Atlantic; and Chico Hamilton (1955) Chico Hamilton Quintet-Pacific.
I had been looking for the Serge Chaloff copy for some time and finally found one in really good shape for $10. Crossroads really came through!!!
Congrats Jok! I always enjoy a visit to crossroads but have never found much Jazz to come home with me. However my early rock collection always makes new friends there!
Stevie B: That used to be the case for me. For every rock classic I had as a teen (and have lost over the years), I’ve been able to replace at Crossroads quite handily. Good copies at good prices. But lately, they have had some consignors that have lots of really good jazz records. There are several I passed over just because I hit my budget target, but will eventually go back and look for. There was a copy of Herb Geller’s “Fire in the West” for $15 that I passed on because I already had a copy, but planned on going back and getting for a friend of mine. Unfortunately, it was gone. But like I said, Crossroads has had a lot of good jazz records lately, and that is a good thing. Also, you can check out the jazz records at Vinyl Resting place online as they list all the jazz records for sale on line.
bobdjukic’s auctions have been the topic of discussion by many sellers and collectors here for years. Yes, it is crazy the prices only he seems to get, but it is consistent and I can’t imagine he would pay all those final value fees if they where not legit.
As far as his grading on this, I have no problem with the title grade as it is further explained in detail in the body of ad.
All grading is subjective but I agree the cover might be a bit generous using Goldmine standard (but not a problem when photos and further details are present). I use a 10 point system adding EX+/- between VG+ & M- with explanations for the grade. So my VG+ would be a “5” … is this cover in 50% condition? Hard to say.
Based on his feedback I’d say he must be grading right and this one ad is not typical for him. He mostly sells really top condition stuff.
It’s easy to be critical on the web. I’d love to hear from someone that has actually done business with him!