Some Surprises in the JRC Lot
I’m sure you’ve all been waiting anxiously for the results of the Jazz Record Center jazz vinyl auctions we’ve been watching on eBay, so here goes.
Lee Morgan, Indeed, Blue Note 1538. This was listed as an “early” pressing, and it seemed to have the Lexington Avenue address, flat edge and deep grooves, so I’m not sure why it wasn’t listed as an original pressing. Nevertheless, it was near mint for both the record and the cover and it sold for $1,915.
Hank Mobley, Peckin’ Time, Blue Note 1574. This was an original pressing and it also was in near mint condition for the vinyl and perhaps a drop less for the cover. This one sold for $1,825.
Horace Parlan, Headin’ South, Blue Note 4062. This one was interesting because
of the accompanying information that this record has never been seen with the deep groove on both sides. The deep groove is on side one only. This a review copy in near new condition and it sold for $548.78.
Paul Chambers Quintet, Blue Note 1564. This was an original pressing in near new condition and it sold for $737.77. It is possible that a $737 record is a bargain. We’ve seen this one sell for more than $1,100 and more than $1,200 on the Jazz Collector Price Guide previously. Given that this one is in pristine condition, and the seller is the most credible and reliable seller in the community, what do you make of this price? Are things starting to come down, or is the eBay market more geared to sellers that do a better job of hyping than delivering?
The other surprise in this lot of records and memorabilia was that some of it didn’t sell at all, including the David Stone Martin book we wrote about, plus the Clifford Jordan on Blue Note, plus the Duke Jordan Flight To Jordan on Blue Note.
Al,from what I can see..it’s all still a shot-in-the-dark! I also have the David Stone Martin book that was generally available. I don’t know that even in the best of times someone would pay $1,500(ten times what mine cost) for a more ‘exclusive’ copy. Internet access suggests a more reasonably priced alternative is only a click away. As for the cost of vinyl,it’s a mixed blessing overall. I love putting lps up for auction-and selling to buyers worldwide-without having to settle for what a major dealer might have offered me in the past. On the other hand,I know there’s always a long-time collector(from the other side of the globe) ready to sell off some of his gems,which of course affects what I will get for MY goodies. And then,there are those sellers who know/care nothing about the music but see “Blue Note” on a label and offer it as a “Buy It Now” for hundreds of dollars(check the current listings),regardless of it’s availability. OFF with their heads!