The $1,000 Bin: Helen Merrill & Sonny Clark (Again)
A couple of records we’ve been watching fell into the $1,000 bin.
Helen Merrill, Emarcy 36006. This is the one with Clifford Brown, and it has become quite a collectible. A few weeks ago we put one into the Jazz Collector Price Guide at $1,781. This one was in comparable condition: VG++ for the record and M- for the cover. Although it didn’t reach the same height, it did quite well for its seller: It sold for $1,414.
Then there was this: Sonny Clark, Dial S For Sonny, Blue Note 1570. This is a regular in the $1,000 club these days. This one looked to be in VG++ condition, for both the record and the cover, with the dealer stating that some might rate it M-. It sold for $1,670.
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The 1963 stereo test press of Horace Parlan’s Happy Frame of Mind in VG+ condition I mentioned the other day went for $1078.99.
The 1966 test press of a 1964 Stanley Turrentine session (later released over two LT albums) went for $763.99.
Today on ebay I saw: a Lex Ave (no mention of flat edge) Bud Powell 1503 in VG+ (VG cover) go for $50; A 10″ copy of The Tal Farlow Album (MGN 19) in VG+/VG+ condition go for $10.49! (see Al’s post of Aug 5).
I agree with Al that ebay is probably the best guide to prices there is, however enough anomalies occur for those of us on a budget to build a decent collection, but you’ve got to put the hours in!
Some sellers do themselves no favours with vague descriptions – it’s always worth sending a question to clarify pressing/condition details. Actually, I thought that copy of Blue Train quite well described – at least you know what to expect from “light surface scuffs/hairline… intermittent light surface noise”: how many times have you bought an NM or VG+ LP and found it a grade or more below that? Even if you’re able to get a refund or return it’s still a disappointment and a hassle. I just received a copy of Horace Silver 1518 (listed as 5188!), a W63 DG press described as Ex+ cover & VG+ vinyl; the spine was completely split and 8cm splits to top and bottom and a bit grubby, the vinyl has at least one feelable mark, numerous other marks and obvious wear. The dilemma is it only cost me $30 & plays OK, so don’t want to return, yet clearly not as described…
I noticed within the Blue Note 1500 series a clear price difference between sessions intended for the original 12″ vehicle and re-issued sessions from the (pre) 10″ era, the latter fetching less money.
I am afraid EBay.com is THE reference for our market, it truefully reflects current tastes of buyers, which, I am afraid are rather limited. Whole segments of valuable music are discarded because of labels and other non-music criteria. I esp. refer to the Tristano school and Mainstream.