Comments on: A Misadventure in Jazz Collecting, Part 4

By: Mike F

Mike F — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 10:48:11 +0000

Pretty overwhelming amount of work involved with this hobby, isn’t there?
Like many here, I am staying tuned for the exciting conclusion of this cliffhanger.

Between the research, the moving boxes of vinyl and weighing all these purchasing decisions, it sometimes is hard for me to find time to sit down and spin a few sides! A few years ago, I acquired a couple hundred records, mostly jazz titles (who counts after a while?) from a fellow who had moved back to Pittsburgh for the summer. His brother, who hoarded records, TV guides and books, had passed away and he was trying to sell off everything. I should probably write up the story and post it here.
Anyway, it was good to see several of the LPs ( “Soulville” and “New Jazz Perspective “”) in this woman’s pictures.

Mike

By: jwr

jwr — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 00:15:13 +0000

Another great installment! And I’m with Abrasive_Beautiful re: the fairness of the offer. There’s a lot of work in processing a collection like that (as you know). Time and energy aren’t free!

By: Mac

Mac — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 21:34:26 +0000

Al, what a series! In my mind’s eye, I can place myself in your conversations with Debby, your struggle to move forward in the process, the turmoil of “do I purchase this collection or not”. Such a great read, and #4 is a real cliffhanger. Few shows on cable match the tension you have created. Except maybe Blue Bloods or Criminal Minds. 🙂 But thanks so much for the introspection and elegant storytelling. I’ll take that Daddy Plays the Horn for $800 by the way.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 20:37:14 +0000

Totally agree Tom; never understood the “not revealing what you paid” game of collectors. I have no qualms telling anyone what I paid for records except maybe my wife haha

By: Stephen Sharratt

Stephen Sharratt — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 20:22:40 +0000

Great story Al, but I’ve got this “sense of foreboding”, like dust on the needle or scratch on the vinyl is forthcoming. Staying tuned for the denouement! cheers

By: tomschirmer

tomschirmer — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 18:52:36 +0000

Al: #1 thanks for the awesome story — can’t wait to read the thrilling conclusion. #2 Kudos to you for being transparent with the dollar figures. All too often in jazz record collecting — even among close friends — when asked (always indirectly) about price paid, the response is “a fair price” or “I think I did pretty well.” Unless of course someone got it for a dollar, in which case you never hear the end of it. Using the real numbers opens you up to criticism, but the transparency is really appreciated as both a positive example to the rest of us and as a component of the storytelling. I guess what I’m trying to say is you’re a true American Hero.

By: Daryl

Daryl — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 17:40:18 +0000

I’ve been away from JC for so long. What a great time to return, finding Al deep in the jazz collection woods of a stranger, hacking his way via machete in search of a clearing. So thankful I checked in before the final chapter appeared.

By: jazzhead

jazzhead — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 17:29:06 +0000

Hi Al, love your site btw!!! This feature/story is something else. I’ve dreamt of buying a collection of this size. Having read all four parts so far, I was thinking what I’d pay and what I’d expect if I was selling(which I wouldn’t). I got into your story pretty deep myself!:)

When you say that there were records worth zero dollars, was that because of their condition?

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 17:08:27 +0000

I’ve never been so excited to check in with a blog/website every morning! Well except maybe eBay or Discogs ?

By: GST

GST — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 16:34:31 +0000

Oh yeah and put me down for Mal Waldron, Left Alone and Sonny’s Saxophone Colossus 😉