Of Original Blue Notes and Shrink Wrap
Here’s some more jazz vinyl auctions we are watching on eBay, starting with: Paul Chambers, Bass on Top, Blue Note 1569. This looks to be an original West 63rd Street pressing, although there’s no New York 23 so perhaps not — where’s Fred’s book when I need it. This one is listed in VG condition for the record and the cover. The price is at $275 with more than four days to go. I find a couple of things interesting about this listing. One is the presence of some kind of plastic wrap around the record that the seller is claiming to be “original shrink” but I would be skeptical of that. Perhaps someone who was around in those days when these were new on the shelves would have more insight whether there was, indeed, any kind of shrink wrap and, if there was, whether it was this kind of loose shrink wrap as seen in the picture. The second interesting thing about this listing is in the questions, where there seems to a quite open discussion about selling the record before the auction is completed, even though there is no buy-it-now price listed with the record. That has always struck me as a bit of a breach of eBay etiquette. Or am I just being old-fashioned, having been a relatively early e-Bayer.
Whilst we’re looking Blue Notes, take a gander at these:
Hank Mobley, Soul Station, Blue Note 4031.This is an original West 63rd Street pressing with the deep grooves, RVG, et al. The record is listed in M- condition and the cover is VG++. This one is closing in less than a day and is currently in the $700 price range. Jutta Hipp With Zoot Sims, Blue Note 1530. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The record is listed in VG+ condition and the cover looks to be VG++. The bidding is at $450 with several days to go, and we would probably expect to see this one top the $1,000 mark.
1 – Regarding shrik wrap or loose bag. Blue Note were not sold originally with any kind of schrink wrap or loose bag. Shrink was only for resell, cut corner, low prices etc etc…
2 – Regarding the Jutta Hipp. I think that this record is an original record, but the cover is the reissue from the United Artist period. No kakubuchi frames, cut corner, very white back… hmmmm this looks really like an UA reissue cover. Not 100 % sure, but…
Hi Michel,
I’d agree about the Jutta Hipp cover except I thought they removed the 767 address on the back cover of those, but I might be remembering incorrectly.
Michel is right.
Re an outright sale of an item which is already on auction: as a seller I sometimes get requests (only from US members by the way) asking to negotiate a separate deal.
If I can get an extremely good deal, and if there are no bids on the item, I sometimes decide to end the listing. EBay foresees this case and the reason I give is that the item is no longer available. Which is true. But it is something which, in my feeling, is against EBay etiquette and, if practised all the time, is damaging one’s seller image.
I remember as an early EBayer, watching an item I’d love to have, to see it had all of a sudden disappeared, reason: Item not available anymore.
From what I see,the records on the Ebay auctions are sold more and more expensive . I opted for the buy it now, especially with best offer. And the webs collector vinyl shops.
PS.For exemple. I have purchased one year ago on http://www.cdandlp.com, one John Lewis Afternoon in Paris Versailles in VG++ condition for $500. Has been sold on Ebay the last week for $2400
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261188686756?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Obviously no one was looking for J. G. on Riverside. Jeezo! $20 for a VG+ record of this one! Some lucky person is going to be very happy if the grading is even anywhere near VG+ … MAN! Mine’s VG and I wouldn’t sell it. Trade it. Let my best friend borrow it. I won’t even let anyone look at it. Heck, My wife will have to pry this one from my fingers before they throw me in that coffin at the mortUary! LOL!
Where were the great true jazz lovers when this one ended?
Zarabeth you are right, this is a fine session but…
1 – The cover has severe damage
2 – This is not an original press
3 – The seller has 0 feedback
This would have drstically reduced the number of potential buyer…(And especially the potential buyer who has a NM first press waiting for a clean cover to match, in other words, me :-))
MICHEL, who listens to covers anyway?
Obviously not these guys: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121084091245?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
someone paid a lot for a G+ cover on that one! Wow.
0 feedback? C’mon take a chance man! LOL!
I don’t know –
1) DG both sides.
2) Labels appear to be the large blue type but you can’t really see the cut off line in pic. But even if they are the small(45) type label the title’s cat number is correct for that transition from large to small meaning they could be either type.
3) No INC. to label.
The record has export stamps to labels but records weren’t pressed in the UK (fontana) until a few years later where smaller logos and no deep grooves were common. Some exports had a US patent / GB patent matrix so it could be a RESAERCH CRAFT press (LA) but doubtful as they would of had the smaller logos and no deep grooves. Then again anything is possible! It could well be a Fontana press! For $20 bucks who cares! I’ve plenty of those and they are fine sounding records. An ioda less than the real thing but a fine sounding press no doubt. I wish I would of seen it for $20 !!!!!! Dang!!!!!
WHY DO YOU SAY IT’S NOT AN ORIGINAL PRESS?
You are right Zarabeth. It is probably original. Impossible to read the adress on back cover.
Concerning the shrink wrap: I thought I remembered buying BN’s back in the 50’s in shrink, but I could be wrong. What I do know is that shrink wrap has been known to be applied to used records, and sealed, and with the proper machine, is not hard to do – one more reason why I will NEVER buy an LP sealed