Vinyl Treasures from the U.S. and U.K.
Here’s one I’d consider if I didn’t already own a copy: Presenting Ernie Henry, Riverside 222. This is an original pressing with the white label and deep grooves. Wonderful record featuring Kenny Dorham and Kenny Drew, and, of course, Henry, who had a really unique voice that was silenced when he died tragically of a heroin overdose at the age of 31. You don’t see too many white-label versions of this record pop up on eBay. This one is in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The start price is in the $250 range and the auction closes later today. So far, there are no bidders. Here’s another great record that may or may not sell when the auction closes later today: Elmo Hope, Informal Jazz, Prestige 7034. This is an original yellow label New York pressing listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The bidding has already exceeded $600 but that doesn’t mean it has exceeded the seller’s reserve price, which it hasn’t.
Here’s one from the U.K. destined for the $1,000 bin: Don Rendell/Ian Carr Quintet, Dusk Fire, Columbia SX 6064. This is an original British mono pressing. The record is listed in Ex condition and the cover is Ex+. The bidding is close to $1,100 with a full day left before the auction closes. From the same band and the same seller: Don Rendell/Ian Carr Quintet, Phase III, Columbia SX 6214. This one is in Ex condition for both the record and the cover. The bidding is in the $500 range. One more from the same seller: Lee Morgan, Indeed!, Blue Note 1538. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The seller lists it in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. Curious why he uses Ex for the U.K. records and VG for the American records. This VG+ is described as having numerous faint surface marks, scratches, hairlines, etc., “but it plays far better than it looks.” I’ll pass, particularly since the bidding is already in the $650 range.
The Informal Jazz lp is a good example of a pet peeve. I really dislike reserves. If this guy has set his reserve at say, $800, then forget about the reserve just start the auction at $800. This way no guessing is involved and there’s no wasted time. Too many of these “reserve” auctions end up with 30 or more bids and no sale.
Do you think it’s really a no sale? Is it possible under today’s eBay rules for the seller to contact the high bidder and offer the record offline, to avoid eBay fees? I haven’t sold on eBay in a while but, in the past, that was certainly something a seller would often do.
Looks like the bidders finally hit the reserve on Informal Jazz. It presently stands at $750. I must say, this is the best looking copy of this lp I’ve ever seen.
Those Rendell-Carr LPs are poised to some damage too… and Phase III doesn’t even seem all that clean!
Same UK seller also has a Rendell/Carr ‘Live’ which is already up at £270. Pretty high for that record !
I’m going to set the over-under on “Informal Jazz” at $1,350.
I think that Elmo Hope will go for big bucks. Amazing to see one that white of that vintage.
I got an unplayed copy of Informal Jazz in the Baltimore collection. It has the sticker from a record store in Milwaukee on the back, along with the date that it was purchased, 9-25-56, in ink. Somehow, those little personal touches add to the pleasure of owning it. I’m going to listen to it later today or tomorrow.
Yes, I think the Informal Jazz will exceed $1000, maybe well above … these minty early Blue Notes just don’t show up that often … similar to finding a minty early “survivor” classic car that has original paint, great chrome, etc. The premium paid by collectors for “bragging rights” can be substantial.
i would LOVE to get a copy of informal jazz in that condition. i know the great fredrick has one. someday, perhaps.
I have one that is stone mint – oh wait it says Analogue Productions on the back 😉
I’ve been watching both those Rendell/Carrs for a while now. “Dusk Fire”, in particular, is one of the most sought after British jazz records and (sadly) I expect the price to rise even higher in the last minutes of the auction. It’s out of my reach at these prices. “Phase III” usually attracts less of a premium. Fortunately, I don’t need to follow the “Live” auction because I found a clean copy at a fair price in my local second hand record store last year.
I have very clean copies of “phase III”, “live”, and “change is”. I make do with a mint Japanese Phillips issue of “dusk fire”. “Shades of blue” is the album I’m after but that’s just as expensive as an original “dusk fire” if not more! So likely not going to happen; at least if I want to keep my wife and two kids haha..
i have the 60s prestige issue, and im not trippin’, but yea, all 3 variations would be nice. not only different labels but totally different covers n even titles
In UK record collector parlance, VG+ is a lower grade than EX.
M-, EX+, EX, EX-, VG+ and so on down the line. That Lee Morgan is probably translatable to a VG at best.