Some Surprises in the Bidding?
Let’s catch up on some of the jazz vinyl auctions we’ve been watching on eBay:
Hank Mobley, Mobley’s 2nd Message, Prestige 7082. This was an original pressing with the deep grooves and the New York address. It had a promo label stamp and perhaps a small cutout hole, which the seller described as a “worm ” hole, a term new to us in this context. The record was listed in VG++ condition and the cover was VG+. The final price was $1,075.
A lot of people have commented with appropriate surprise at some of the relatively low prices on the auctions we were watching from the Jazz Record Center, including: Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore, Blowing in From Chicago, Blue Note 1549. This was not listed as a first pressing, but it seemed to clearly be an early pressing, with one side having the original New York 23 label and the other having a West 63rd label. The record and cover both looked to be in M- condition. The price was $373. I’d have paid more if I was paying attention.
On the other hand, this one sold for a higher price that I would have perhaps expected although, to be fair, the prices on these 4100-series Blue Notes have been skyrocketing: Herbie Hancock, Empyrean Isles, Blue Note 4175. This was an original pressing that looked to be in immaculate M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $583.56.
For anyone who has time (I don’t), it would be interesting to go through the Jazz Record Center auction:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/jazzrecordcenter/m.html?nma=true&item=300953273036&si=bg9FyPL%252B16NFGpWEdGuQRCG5iZo%253D&orig_cvip=true&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc
and pointing out some of the other surprises, of which there seemed to be a few.
I see a trend of Prestige going up, Blue Note stable and the Cool/Pres oriented schools depressed.
The “worn hole” on the Mobley is not a C/O hole, since on the rear nothing is noticeable. It is just minor damage, it seems to me.
I would be very happy to have a hybrid early Blue Note for the price of the Gilmore/Jordan.
Rudolf:
Agree with your take. It is similar to what I have seen in unrelated markets. Buyers get priced out of certain niches and move to adjacent ones and others follow suit.
For a while I collected French Art Deco furniture because it looked cool and was relatively cheap. Pieces could be had for the price of new lookalike reproductions. Flash forward 10 years and I can’t touch the stuff.
The question of the Prestige is how the relative quality and uniqueness of the music plays into the prices.
Many of the BNs are classics.
I have a standing sell order with my broker that when Gene Ammons starts hitting over $200, it is time to liquidate.
Speaking of 4100s.. some really nice records in this collection.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/beautiful_world_records/m.html?item=221252488328&rt=nc&nma=true&pt=Music_on_Vinyl&si=pPFw%252FPmAbCG%252FNinta0OJQAiC2do%253D&orig_cvip=true&hash=item3383ad0c88&_trksid=p2047675.l2562
Andy – those Joe Hendersons sure got expensive in hurry!
Henderson consistently hits top dollar status, I’m glad I got all of mine early before I got priced out. They’re such great records.
Those BN Hendersons are outta sight. Beautiful music. Another favorite is POWER TO THE PEOPLE on MILESTONE – just wonderful!
I am selling my original Parrot records Red Vinyl #784 Coleman Hawkins on ebay. I can email sound bytes on request. I think it was pressed in 1953- again not a copy but the older one from the 50s-thanks