Rare Vinyl, Old Age and Other Existential Questions
Watching a couple of interesting jazz records that are closing today on eBay, starting with Wes Montgomery, Full House, Riverside 434. This is a mono pressing with the blue label. I know that people here have talked about deep groove versions of this record, but they seem to be exceedingly rare. The non-DG version typically sells for a hefty sum, but so far there is no action on this copy. It is listed in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover and the start price is about $130. I would expect it to sell, but you never know.
Similar situation with this one: The Arrival of Kenny Dorham, Jaro 5007. This looks to be an original pressing with the promo stamp. The record and cover are both listed in VG++ condition. The start price is $200 and there is a single bid so it will definitely sell, but I would normally expect this record in this condition to get a bit more action than this one seems to be getting.
No worry about this next one seeing lots of action:
Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This is an original West 63rd Street pressing that looks to be in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. There’s more than a day left on the auction and the bidding is in the $565 range. I would certainly expect this to sell for more than $1,000, and perhaps in the $2,000 range.
The seller of the Lee Morgan record is based in Germany and is selling off his personal collection, as he says, due to his age. I wonder how old he is and if/when I’ll ever get to the same point. I don’t want to leave the task to my kids, but I also don’t want to get rid of my records, at least not now, as I approach age 64 in a few weeks, which still doesn’t feel so old to me. Anyway, if it ever comes to the time when I want to or need to sell my records, I will keep the Rollins, Coltranes, Cliffords, Miles, Cannonballs, Evans and a few others as a fail safe. Perhaps this seller, anilin1000, is doing the same with his favorite artists. Anyway, here’s one more from his collection, also closing tomorrow: Grant Green, Sunday Morning, Blue Note 4099. This is an original New York USA pressing. The record is graded at M- and the cover is graded a VG+, although from the pictures I would definitely grade it VG. Look for yourself and tell me what you think. The bidding is now in the $150 range.
that Grant Green cover is smack-dab on the line between VG and VG+ if you ask me. spines are intact and the faces are nice. just some edge and corner wear.
With that bottom seam split, tear on the front cover plus the water damage & ringwear on the back I wouldn’t grade that Grant Green cover a notch over VG.
That’s one of the better Grant Green albums, especially as it features piano and bass as opposed to organ.
It is surprising that old age and other existential questions have remained without comments. That is a good sign, apparently we are all that young, that we are not affected.
I am in the same position as the German seller anilin1000 says he is. I don’t want to burden my family with my collection, but I truly don’t know what the best solution is. If I sell the most sell-able, aren’t I cherry-picking myself and my heirs? The truth I don’t want to sell the Coltranes, Ornettes and others I love. A real conundrum
Bank….I am in the same rough waters. Selling off much cherished doubles is one thing, but cutting in the raw, by selling Trane, Niehaus, Giuffre or Miles is another kettle of fish.
Agreed, cold VG for that Grant Green cover. Some of the wear on it I’d accept in a VG+ (hell, some of that grubby ring wear on the back cover’d probably come off if you used a rubber eraser on it – trust me, that works!) but that 10 inch seam split just kills it. Still sold for just south of 500 bucks though – this seller’s getting some crazy prices on his recent Blue Note auctions for sure.
As for old age, given that I’m only 28 I’m not particularly worried yet. 😉
banksofthecreeks what a dilemma you have 🙂
hopefully one day i’ll get the oportunity to buy an original collection and preserve a legacy. Living in Baltimore im still amazed by Al’s incredible and amazing purchase several years back in Baltimore. Will keep looking and hunting and hoping (and buying Music Matters reissues in the meantime which are spectacular imo)…
I love how jacket grading can be an indicator of how liberal or conservatively a seller grades a record. That seller’s Little Johnny C jacket was graded M- and it looked VG+ to me…don’t mean to hate but I smell overgrading.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JOHNNY-COLES-LITTLE-JOHNNY-C-BLUE-NOTE-4144-NY-ear-1st-ED-M-/332046432490?hash=item4d4f8278ea%3Ag%3ArDcAAOSwiONYO~LF&nma=true&si=ZQoN8v4WJ6P0he1hjUDCl85hvoY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557