To Bid, or Not to Bid
Needless to say, I did not bid on that copy of Freddie Redd, Shades of Redd, Blue Note 4045. I was convinced that there was enough difference of opinion on the cover to avoid taking the risk. In any case, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have bid enough to win the record anyway. The final price was $1,624, and who knows how much higher the winning bidder actually bid. Perhaps if it had been a mint copy, but I’m guessing that mint copies will now only be available in the $2,000 or even $3,000 bin. In any case, time to move on. The Jazz Record Center has a copy of Jackie McLean, The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601. This is an original pressing. The record looks to be in VG++ condition and the cover probably around VG+. The bidding is in the range of $2,250 and the auction closes in a little more than a day. I would love to replace that record in my collection, and I like the fact that it is from the Jazz Record Center, but the price is beyond my reach, financially and philosophically.
Then there is Bill Evans, New Jazz Conceptions, Riverside 223. This is the original white label pressing with the photo cover. I still don’t quite understand why Riverside the changed the cover on this. Perhaps one of our readers can explain it. The record looks to be between VG+ and VG++ and the cover is probably just VG+ because there is tape on the spine. The bidding on this is in the $150 range. It is certainly an upgrade from the copy I have, but my interest in bidding and buying is waning at this moment, as you can probably tell from the frequency, or lack thereof, of my posts.
Let’s close off with a gem that seems destined for at least the $3,000 bin and perhaps even much higher. That would be Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This is not only an original pressing with the New York 23 labels, it is also a “review” copy. Quite rare, indeed. The record is probably in VG++ condition and the cover is rated as Ex. As of this writing, there is one day left on the auction. The bidding is more than $2,700.
Have we determined the veracity of the REVIEW COPY stamps on titles like the Clark?
Did Ad Lib have any other releases or was The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601, the only one?
Clifford, I had exactly the same thought. I’m sure many of you have seen far more review copies of original Blue Notes than I, but it did strike me as the kind of thing that could easily be applied later, and I wondered if there was any consistency in how BN marked their review copies.
I don’t think we ever did. It is strange that recently ‘review copies’ are showing up, whereas in the past I never crossed one. I always thought it was not Blue Note’s policy.
The Review Copy phenomenon has been discussed.
I think it is indisputable that BN used a stamp for records and covers that were intended for Review.
This is because they did not like some of the bigger labels have a specific Promo-label. Otherwise that would have been interesting right?;-)
But anyway regarding a lot of these Review Copies showing up from this particular seller can of course be discussed. Why?, is the most obvious question I think. Did the guy collect only review stamp Blue Notes? Did he buy them all from another seller at once? Carefully collected over the years? etc etc. And are they Legit? That meaning that the stamps – were put there by a BNWorker at the time the record were made?
Someone thought that they were looking a bit different font-wise that other stamps and maybe the color was off by a little bit? Can’t remember. I myself think the Sonny Clark looked a little bit “off”.
I have one Lexington Review copy that I’ve had for a while. Bought locally. It is most surely legit.
What do yoy think guys?
Well, concerning Blue Note lps stamped review copy, coming from someone who no longer has lps or collects such, in 60’s and 70’s in Chicago I picked up at Jazz Record Mart such lps, brought in by local radio djs. There was Jazz more widespread on the radio back then, Chi-town had at least 4 such stations as I recall(dimly).
Later I purchased collections in Chi-town and Detroit from former djs and families of former djs and again there were such stamped Blue Notes,
For what it’s worth.
Aaron: AdLib issued a play with album by Billy Bauer in 10″ format, rhythm only for reed players to improvise with the Bauer group. I think that is all.
yeah, I have Audition Copy and Review Copy Blue Notes in my collection but they are later pressings with different stamps.
Rudolf, thanks for the info, never heard of that one!
That Ted Curson JRC had did some damage. I was gonna throw down but things went quite a bit north of what I was willing to pay. Shoulda bought the copy Academy had a few years ago!
I was watching that Curson as well and it went well above what I expected it to go for based on past Popsike records of sales!
In general promo stamped jazz records are not especially sought after. The top Japanese collectors seek regular copies and avoid promo copies whenever possible. I do the same.