Two Pairs: Blue Notes, Prestiges

Eric DolphyHere are some more of the jazz vinyl auctions we are watching now on eBay:

Eric Dolphy at the Five Spot Volume 1, New Jazz 8260. This is an original mono pressing with the purple labels and the deep groove. It looks very nice from the picture, although the grades are only VG+ for both the record and the cover. I was watching this all week and there were no bids for a long time at a start price of about $200. The auction closes in a few hours and now there is a bid. I don’t think it will be the only one, because, as I said, the record looks really nice in the photos. Here’s another Dolphy from the same era: Eric Dolphy, Out There, New Jazz 8252. This is also an original pressing with the purple label and deep grooves. The record is in VG++ condition and the cover is VG+. It also looks very nice in the photo. The start price is around $250 and there is one bidder, so the record will sell.

This one is mentioned by a commenter in the post below, but we’ll write about it here and see what people think: Kenny Dorham, ‘Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia, Blue Note 1524. This one is listed as having the deep groove, flat edge, ear, etc., but from the picture it doesn’t look like a deep groove. Also, there is the question of whether the cover is an original framed cover. What does everyone think? Is it just a poor picture that would indicate a lack of deep grooves, or is it just a later pressing with Lexington Avenue label? I have

several Blue Notes with Lexington labels that are clearly later pressings, notably the Herbie Nichols LP. This Dorham is listed in probably VG++ for the record and VG for the cover. It closes in a few hours and the bidding is in the $325 range. If this was a clear-cut original in this condition, the price would be quite a bit higher. And, perhaps, when the auction closes, it will be. This seller has a bunch of nice records on eBay now, including: Grant Green, Am I Blue, Blue Note 4139. This one looks to be an original pressing listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The current price is almost $300. If you look carefully at this listing you will get a sense of possible problems with the Dorham listing. The seller clearly does not know what a “flat edge” is, if he is saying that the Green record has a flat edge. Definitely makes you wonder about the provenance of the Dorham record, doesn’t it

 

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12 comments

  • I don’t know but back in the day the condition of the cover of the Dorham would have lowered the value. Edge wear, tape residue, all that is really a detriment in my mind to paying a premium price. Though I am speaking of the day when Blue Notes did not require a bank loan to buy.

  • That Dorham is not DG and does not have the frame cover – you can see the framing under the paste-on back. A second pressing with left-over Lex labels? A lovely record still.

  • This is probably an early (post DG era, of course) reissue with non DG and Lex leftovers labels. I found a VG+ DG lex 20 years ago in Clignancourt Paris for 90 FF ! Oh those were the days !!. I understand people paying premium price for a NM original copy of this one. This is one of the most important Blue Note : incredible cover, incredible line up, and a more than beautiful, sublime live session. Everything here is pure poetry. Definitely a record to own or to search, far beyond many other albums of the same catalogue and era.

  • I believe there IS a frame cover, seen on the back with magnification (as provided), & seen best along right (spine) border
    – the DG is a bit more difficult to say – I think the condition (particularly of the cover) is what led to a low (for this number) price – I’d make a (small) wager that this is an original

  • My understanding of a frame cover is that the “frame” is on the FRONT of the jacket, with the cover pasted on. For later pressings, the “frame” is on the reverse, under the paste-on. I believe the Dorham is the latter, and thus not a “frame cover.” But someone please correct me if that is wrong.

  • Yes framed cover is on front. Period. Kakubuchi cover, as they say in Japan. And no, this 1524 was not kakubuchi cover !

  • By the way, the Grant Green record, Am i blue 4139, has a particularity : the cover was NOT originally issued laminated (same as Horace Parlan Up and Down, iirc)

  • Maybe a little OT for this post, but the rising tide is also floating up the late 42xx NY ear pressings, too.

    Aside from this being one of my favorite BN sessions, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen Basra go this high (and still 3days to go!):

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/PETE-LA-ROCA-JOE-HENDERSON-Basra-BLUE-NOTE-4205-LP-NY-USA-VAN-GELDER-EAR-/300923847178?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item461075820a

  • It’s very clear (to me). The first picture shows the label side 2 and that one is DG. The close-up interestingly shows side 1 without DG. Mixed bag though.

  • You’re right – Side 2 is DG in the large photo. These are always interesting to piece together, aren’t they?

  • thank you for your clarification on the frame cover – never knew it was on front only

  • How to discern the mono from the stereo first pressing on the Dolphy at Five Spot Vol I ?

    Been looking to buy one, discogs doesn’t clearly indicate any visible difference between the two, with the purple New Jazz labels.

    Thank you!

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