Rare Jazz Vinyl On eBay Again
It’s been a long time between visits to eBay for me due to unforeseen circumstances that have been drain on my time and required me to be in New York for a while. Seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, so hopefully I can do my regular posts more frequently, in addition to keeping up with my radio show and podcasts. I’ve been in these circumstances before and expressed similar hopes so let’s see what happens. In the meantime, I’ve been on eBay this morning and put a bunch of jazz vinyl collectibles into my watch list, so here goes, starting with Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan, Peckin’ Time, Blue Note 1574. This looks to be an original West 63rd Street pressing. The record is listed in VG+ condition and the cover is VG. There are 20 bids and six bidders so far, with the auction closing later today. The current price is $515 and I would say this one is a candidate for the $1,000 bin.
Here’s a 10-inch Blue Note, with the auction also closing later today: Gil Melle Quintet Volume 2, Blue Note 5033. This is notable, among other reasons, for the presence of the great guitar player Tal Farlow. The record is listed in VG+ condition and the cover is VG. The start price is about $400 and so far there are no bids (and not a lot of watchers). I have a copy of this record, but I can’t recall the last time I listened to it, if ever, even though I am a big fan of Mr. Farlow, who, believe it or not, showed up at my sister’s wedding and played some guitar for the crowd. True story and I have the picture to prove it, but that story will have to wait for another day when I am back in The Berkshires.
Chet Baker, It Could Happen to You, Riverside 278. The record and cover are listed in M- condition. The start price is about $300, the seller has a low rating score, there is only one picture, and there is room to question whether the cover is a real M- based on that picture. The record has sold for more than $300 at times according to Popsike. One of the reasons I’m writing about this record is that I played a track on my radio show/podcast last week, where I focused on the Riverside label. Part 2 of the Riverside show should air this evening at 8 p.m. If you want to listen live you can go to WTBR-FM Pittsfield. Just go to “Listen.” If you can’t listen live, I should be able to post the new podcast in the next few days.
I like that Mellé; have it on a 12″ Japanese compilation of his Blue Note 10″s.
yes, like the Melle output on BN too, just found the japanese 10″ collection LP last weekend on a record fair. Besides the music, he played an importend role in early BN. Designing some album covers and introducing Rudy van Gelder to Alfred Lion.
in the seventies and eighties he would compose (electronic) movie AND TV MUSIC.
Quite a creative guy.
Aloha Clifford and Maarten,
I have wondered about Gil Melle, his playing style. I don’t have any of his records. I think he led on some Prestige albums too.
By the way, I’ve noticed, maybe it’s been happening for a while, many sellers listing on eBay today start at very high prices. The seller with the Mobley Lee Peckin’ Time began I believe at $8.99, let it run it’s course and got a nice $1600+. I know there are some on discogs and the prices are higher. Maybe this Mobley record may have received more if on a Carolina Soul listing but still it did well and doing it auction style. I communicated with one record store in my area that also sells on eBay , they started a record at over 700.00 for an auction when all their other listings were much much less. It’s like they want to take out any “risk” and set a “floor” as to what they will accept, even if it’s higher than the market rate. Maybe they should just sell at a fixed rate?
I’ve also noticed a lot of sellers, probably not into records/jazz like many here, stumble on some vinyl and list it hoping to get $$$. There’s a Coltrane Blue Train up and it’s listed as an original 1957 release, which it isn’t. I did write the seller and said it’s a nice early repress from 1960’s. I wonder sometimes if these sellers know the truth, have done some research and trying to find less informed buyers or maybe they don’t know. I try to be gracious as I was blessed to have some mentors in the past show me the various labels, releases, covers and so forth. I don’t pretend to know everything as I’m still learning today but if I sold a record, listed it, I would try to put in as much information as possible about the release. Mahalo!
Hi Kyle, not sure why that is. I notice this happens to most who start high, even well established ones. Regarding the Hank Mobley, that’s been over $1,000 for a while now. It is a great record, and I’m probably in the minority who actually likes the cover. It is very hard to find in top shape.
yeah that Peckin’ Time is pretty beat up and still did well for the seller. I’m okay having it on a Japanese mini-LP CD. Nice album.
Mellé does indeed have three very fine Prestige sessions. I have two of them on record.
Aloha Clifford, I may have to get the CD or Japanese pressing of Peckin Time.
I’ll definitely check out the Melle. Mahalo!