Sonny Rollins Plus Four, Plus Two More
Catching up on a few items we were watching on eBay, starting with Donald Byrd, Byrd in Flight, Blue Note 4048. This was an original mono pressing with the West 63rd Street labels. The record and cover were both listed in VG+ condition. The final price was $766. Given what we’ve seen in the market lately, I expected a higher price. In mint condition this record has sold for as much as $1,712, according to Popsike, and has surpassed $1,000 nearly 10 times.
In a similar price range: Sonny Rollins Plus Four, Prestige 7038. This was an original New York pressing with the original cover. The record was in VG++ condition and the cover was VG. The final price was $775.75. I hadn’t noticed before, but this record has sold for a high of $1,675 a few years ago. Music-wise, it is worth every penny.
Jackie McLean, A Fickle Sonance, Blue Note 4089. This was a mono pressing with the New York USA labels. When I look at the pictures I don’t see deep grooves and the seller doesn’t mention deep grooves. Everything else about the record reeks original pressing. I just looked at my copy and it is a Review Copy and also doesn’t have deep grooves. I’m getting the sense this is the reality, but I don’t have my Fred Cohen Guide to Blue Note to check. Help, anyone? This one was in VG++ or VG+ condition for the record and Ex for the cover. The final price was $380.43.
Cohen doesn’t specify deep grooves for 4089.
For the Byrd LP, the condition description seems honest but I’m genuinely not sure how to fairly grade a record with “a few light marks that barely affect play.” A strict interpretation of Goldmine would mean it should be VG, but that’s not necessarily how it works in reality. A couple other copies of this have also sold recently — and there’s a VG+ BIN copy up right now for $675 — which may have lessened the demand for this one a bit.
I’ve never seen Fickle Sonance with DG. Great, great record!