More Blue Notes, More Surprises
Having done Jazz Collector for seven years and having seen all kinds of price fluctuations, I should be beyond surprise, right? But I do admit I haven’t expected the price jump in collectible jazz, and particularly Blue Note, that seems to have taken place in just the past few months. I guess it’s a bit like the stock market, up and down, and there is the temptation to jump in and sell when prices are high. Here’s a record I have at home in beautiful condition and I bought it for ten dollars and I could make quite an obscene profit, based on this sale price: The Jazz Messengers at the Cafe Bohemia Volume 2, Blue Note 1508. This one had the beautiful Lexington Avenue label but was
only in VG++ condition for the vinyl and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $836. It’s a great record, isn’t it, but I admit I never expected to see this one sell for that price. My copy at home is also original and in comparable condition. A few months ago, cataloguing my records as I mentioned yesterday, I put the value in at $200. That’s what I thought it was worth. Really. Was I just wrong?
well, i was always suprised that it didn’t fetch high prices, unless there where manny more coppies pressed from this album then from, lets say, a hank mobley , if not, it is as rare as a mobley .
Even the ‘less interesting’ BN’s from the 1500 series are still ‘rare’ (500, 1000? copies)
No lexington’s anymore below the 500 dollars i think..
I guess we will have to wait for Fred & Larry’s book to find out more but does anyone know how many 1500s were pressed? Was it very different for each one?
rediculous price. usually goes for 300-400 .
Ahhhh good ol’ Blue Notes, the Blue Chip stock of record collecting !!! It’s comforting to know that in these times of economic uncertainty, some investments will never falter. I know I’ve asked this from time to time in the past, but who are these wealthy collectors among us who seem to have limitless means to invest even in such a bull market as this ? Could it be the result of increased demand in a specific demographic beyond North America, possibly Europe, or Japan ? Perhaps it is a world wide phenomenon, enhanced by our humanistic need to re-connect with the tangible object in an age where digital media downloads have left us feeling somewhat detached. Whatever the reason, I honestly hope the record high prices we’ve been seeing the past year hit their high water mark soon, or level off at least long enough for the rest of us to catch up !
Yeah,yeah-“sell,baby,sell!” might be the wise mantra. Until you,later on,find yourself trying to buy some rare goodies..and realize you can no longer AFFORD to do so. Oh,oh!
today i ‘ve bought art blakey at the jazzcorner of the world (4015), first pressing. I have always wondered if the “lp” logo (left-top of the album front) was a attemt in introducing a new blue note label-design, or was it just a one time design from reid miles? it stands out so much that in the beginning i always thought it was a reissue…
Guys you have made my day. I purchased BN1508 – Lexington both sides, no “r”, ear, DG, RVG sig, which I assume makes it a first pressing? for equivalent of $100 from a London specialist store last week.
The challenge was what was in the grooves apart from music? I can ony conclude the household vacuum cleaner was a fairly rare item in the US of the fifties and sixties, as the grooves were choked with compressed dust, mites, smoke, grease, heaven knows what else. It took three normal cycles of my RCM to flush out everything. I have never seen a record more mucky. However, once the grooves were clean and pure, she sings like a bird, beautiful. I’d swear Art Blakey had crept into the room to give a personal performance.
I reckon its a bargain, at any price. But more at mine, or indeed yours
Great find on that copy of BN1508 “London Calling”. Just for your enjoyment, here’s a few more things to check on your recent purchase to confirm the pressing:
(1.) “kakubuchi” frame cover
(2.) Lexington address on the back of the cover.
(3.) Flat edge on the record itself.
In any event, finding an LP of this calibre for a reasonable price is always reason to celebrate. Enjoy !
Lexington address on the back cover: check!
Flat edge: check! (first I have ever seen. It really is flat)
Kakubuchi frame cover: Hey, I ordered the sushi, not the kakubuchi!
That “frame cover” is a bit bewildering.
Looking at the front cover artwork,it covers the whole of the face of the cover, nothing overlaps it. There is a quite prominent ridge showing beneath artwork – beneath the top horizontal edge and beneath the left vertical edge, each about a half inch in width, where paper has been folded under it, sealing the edge, but its not originating from the rear liner notes, which are a square paste-up as is usually found
I guess this is a “normal” cover and not a Kawasaki? Should I cancel the cheque?
I started my Blue Note collection ony six months ago, counting almost a hundred now,including 12 DGs and 15 “ear”s. They are sonically beautiful but this one is the cream of the crop, Kyoto or not.
…Sounds to me like you have a winner there “London Calling” !!! It’s certainly a keeper. Great to see that these historic LP’s can still be picked up at reasonable prices once and awhile.
A question a bit away from this special topic. How would you judge a BN Kenny Burrell – Blue Lights Vol 2 who has most of the details: 63rd Labels on both sides, Ear, no “R” at Note – but no deep grooves on either side…?
I think,and have seen,that it should have dg.
I also noticed,as gw,that often most details are specified.
Most,not all.This leaves us some questions,and I usually ask sellers by mail.
Useless to say my questions concern the first pressing,which I consider the only original.
The answers:
1)confirm the lack of some particular,usually from knowledged sellers,even when the item is described as Original.
2)the seller can’t reply OR doesn’t reply at all.This from unknowledged OR dishonest sellers.
At this point it’s obvious that an original record should be looked for from few well known sellers,usually at very high prices.
Most sought after records on Ebay now,lack some important detail.
Astonished about the prices they reach.
gw:there’s Vol.1 out now on Ebay
Item number: 200514431168
double sided deep groove
Hey ‘London Calling’ I am also based in London and have quite a number of BN’s (as well as other Jazz duplicates) that I am trying to swap. If you are interested let me know I can then send my e-mail details. Thanks
One thing I do not about these BN’s is that the majority seem to go to Japan. Someone once told me that some of the Japanese buyers buy on commission for clients hence they are given a budget and told to get the record no matter what..The owners then store their acquisitions, a bit like fine wine. Anyway it is getting a little out of hand considering the prices you currently see!
I’ve started to focus on second pressings and reprints as often the sound is better (how many times do you get a NM (or for that matter VG+) Lexington anyway) considering there are very fex Lexingtons still in decent condition?
Matt:Japan/Blue Notes: it seems that these middlemen act on behalf of rich buyers who don’t speak English.
Matt, I am also would love to see your list of doubles. Interested?
gw/ Matt
Hi guys
My BN collection is fully documented in a an Excel file. 138 BN’s and counting. Send a return email to andrewsouthlondon@hotmail.co.uk
(Its a disposable address which I can ditch in the event its picked up by spambots)
Al announced the slimming down of his collection a while ago. But I don’t see anything else but buying records by the lot, “improving” on quality, etc. etc. Al: I just would like an honest reply to my straightforward question (the lovely Mrs JC is not tuned in, so your reply can be honest). The question: with how many albums has your collection grown since your slimming down action?
I, for one, will put on the market some vintage Lex. Blue Notes, since I think it is not reasonable to keep doubles in a collection. Maarten will be delighted to note that a MINT Lex. Avenue album will be for sale as from this Saturday (1537-Lou Donaldson).
GW, try matty_1973@hotmail.com. Look forward to your e-mail
London Calling I sent you a seperate email to your address above
Rudolf — thank you for asking the question and being, as always, so polite and respectful. I will do a separate post on this subject as soon as I get time, probably tomorrow morning, as this requires both a thoughtful and honest reply. I am looking forward to writing the reply but, alas, I am doing two things today: Working and also practicing for my gig at the Monterey General Store.
Hi Al: I wish you a succesful and joyful evening at the General Store!