A Jazz Vinyl Potpourri From Jazz Record Center

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We always like to watch the auctions from the Jazz Record Center because they are a nice gauge of the overall market. Here are a few items from their latest auction, starting with: Sonny Rollins, The Sound of Sonny, Riverside 241. This is an original pressing with the white labels. It is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The start price is $200 and so far there are no bidders, but we’d expect that to change. We’ve seen copies of this record sell for more than $500 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide.

Bud Powell’s Moods, Norgran 1064. This is an original yellow label pressing. The record and the cover both look to be in M- condition. It has a cover design by David Stone Martin and has a start price of $100. We’d also expect this one to sell, right?

The bidding has already started on this one: Dizzy Reece, Star Bright, Blue Note 4023. This is an original pressing that also looks to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The auction closes in about five days and the bidding is now in the $260 range.

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Doubles, Anyone?

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I am somewhat buried in records these days, but not so buried that I can’t keep an eye on what else is out there. Here are some of the jazz vinyl auctions to watch on eBay:

Sonny Rollins, Tenor Madness, Prestige 7047. This is an original New York yellow label pressing that looks to be in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. As I think I’ve said, this is still my favorite Rollins record. Not just the presence of Coltrane, but the B side of this record is terrific, starting with Paul’s Pal. I find myself in a weird position with this record — I have an original New York pressing that can use a condition upgrade, but I also have two New Jersey pressings in M- condition. An embarrassment of riches, I agree, but I’d still love an M- New York  pressing. This one closes later today and is priced in the $225 range.

Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan, Peckin’ Time, Blue Note 1574. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The current price is less than $200, but we’d expect it to sell for quite a bit more. I would love an original pressing of this LP — perhaps I should be offering up some of my doubles for trade. At this point, I have some great doubles, lots of Blue Notes and Prestiges. Oooh, perhaps I could finally get an original copy of Shades of Redd.

The Rarest Ever? We’ll Have To See About That

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Here’s an interesting listing on eBay: The Fabulous Guitar of Bill Jennings, King 295-106. This is a 10-inch record in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. One of the things that makes the listing interesting is the statement by the seller that this is the “most rare and collectible 10-inch jazz guitar LP EVER MADE.” That is quite a strong statement, although seller seems knowledgeable, he is also quite hyperbolic, talking about this being the rarest “in the history of mankind.” In any case, I’ve never heard of this LP, but I’m sure it’s quite collectible. I know there are many jazz guitar enthusiasts out there, including my friend Dan, so perhaps we can have some real perspective on this LP. This auction is closing later today, there is a start price of $1,500 and there are still no bidders.

I’ve also got an eye on this one, and a story goes with it: Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This is an original pressing in what is probably VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. It closes in six days and the start price is around $800. The story that goes with it is that I just purchased an original pressing of this record and it is the cleanest copy I’ve ever seen. I’m quite pleased about that. There are other records that were part of this collection and, once I sort it all out, I will share some details. But the M- Sonny’s Crib was one of the highlights, that’s for sure.

And Now For Some Prestiges

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Yesterday was Blue Note day, today we promised a look at some of the Prestiges.

Jackie McLean, Lights Out, Prestige 7035. This is from the same seller that is selling the Mobley, which is now approaching $3,500 and still hasn’t met the reserve price. The Jackie record looks to be in what I would call VG++ condition for the vinyl and VG+ for the cover. It is an original pressing with the yellow label and New York address. The record is in the $400 price range and has already passed its reserve.

Doug Watkins, Soulnik, Prestige/New Jazz 8238. This looks to be an original purple label pressing with the deep grooves. The record is listed in M- condition and the cover is VG++, with a Preview Copy stamp on the back. The start price for this one is around $150 and so far there are no bidders.

John Coltrane, Cattin’ With Paul Quinichette, Prestige 7158. This is an original yellow label pressing with the deep grooves and it is in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The start price is around $300 with no bidders. The seller may be stretching a bit with that start price, but then again . . . . .

 

A Strong Week For Blue Notes

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This is one of those weeks where, if you had unlimited funds, you could fill in a lot of holes in your Blue Note collection with original pressings in very nice condition, perhaps starting with the rarest of the rare: Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568. This looks to be an original pressing with the New York 23 on the B side. It is in M- condition for the vinyl and probably VG+ or better for the cover. The price has already exceeded $3,000 — yet it has not yet reached the seller’s reserve.

The same seller is loaded with other Blue Notes, among a variety of jazz vinyl, this week, including:

Lou Donaldson, Swing and Soul, Blue Note 1566. This is an original pressing that looks to be in M- condition for the record and probably VG++ for the cover. The price has surpassed $250 and the auction closes today, still short of the reserve price. Dizzy Reece, Soundin’ Off, Blue Note 4033. This is also an original pressing, in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The price is more than $700 and the auction closes tomorrow.

As noted, this is not the only seller with some nice Blue Notes this week. Here are a few more:

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Miles and Trane, Big Prices

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One of our readers sent me the results of this auction with a “what the hell is going on here” type of note: John Coltrane, Africa/ Brass, Impulse 6. This was an original mono pressing with the orange label and it was probably in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $294 and there were 17 bids. Indeed, that is quite a bit higher than we normally see for this record, but is it outrageous? I don’t think so. I think it’s a sign of times to come: Coltrane, original Impulse, nice condition, hard to find. It’s got a lot going for it. Plus, it’s a great record, right? And Coltrane’s first on Impulse.

Look at the price of this one as well: Miles Davis, Relaxin’, Prestige 7129. This was an original New York pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It had more than 260 views and wound up selling for $799.10. It’s a great record and an original pressing, and the price is reflective of today’s market, isn’t it?

 

In Search of Very Early DownBeats

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OK, the Jazz Collector community gets a chance to solve another difficult challenge. I have been contacted by a researcher from the Oxford English Dictionary and he is searching for DownBeats between 1934 and 1936.  He has found all DownBeats in some form from 1937 on, but no luck on the earlier ones. “The purpose of all this is that the Oxford English Dictionary likes to record the earliest uses of words and phrases, and DownBeat is full of interesting and new terms for the time,” he writes. He doesn’t need the issues, just access to the content. So here it is, we have a chance to contribute once again to the historical record. If you have any ideas — or if you have any of these issues — please respond to this post. Thanks.

It’s Quite A Prestige-eous Day At Jazz Collector

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Here are a couple of nice Prestiges, closing soon, ready to take their place in the $1,000 bin: Hank Mobley, Mobley’s 2nd Message, Prestige 7082. This was an original pressing, yellow label, deep grooves and New York address, and it looks to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It closes within the next couple of hours, as of this posting, of course, and is already at $1,025. From the same seller is Red Garland, All Mornin’ Long, Prestige 7130. This too is an original yellow-label New York pressing and it is in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The bidding has reached $1,000. One more from the same era and the same seller: Ray Bryant Trio, Prestige 7098. This is also an original and also in M- condition for the record and the cover. The bidding is close to $700. Will this too enter the $1,000 bin. Stay tuned.

Jazz Vinyl Watching on Dolphy, Mingus, Evans, Candid

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When I slipped off the face of the Jazz Collector earth last week there was a pending auction I was watching from the Jazz Record Center. So, just to complete my updating process, here are some of the jazz records from that auction:

Man, some of the Eric Dolphy records are going for big bucks. The latest example: Eric Dolphy in Europe Volume 1, Prestige 7304. This was an original pressing with the yellow label — near the end of the cycle for yellow-label Prestiges. The cover was in the original shrink wrap and both record and cover were in M- condition. this one sold for $565.55.

Bill Evans, Interplay, Riverside 9445. This was an original stereo pressing with the black labels. The record and cover were in M- condition. The price was $191.38.

Here were a couple of Candids: Charles Mingus, Mingus, Candid 8021. This was an original pressing with the deep grooves and it was in great condition, M- all the. It also had a promo stamp. Nice cover, right? Also features Eric Dolphy and Booker Ervin. You’d think it would be worth more than $115.50 but, alas, that was the sale price. Charles Mingus (et al), Newport Rebels, Candid 8022. This too was an original deep groove mono pressing in M- condition. It sold for $113.50.

 

Updating the $1,000 Jazz Vinyl Bin

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Sorry for taking so long between posts. I had a ton of work on my real job, but no excuses. I promise to do better. So, let’s catch up on some of the records we missed while we were off in the real world.

I had my eye on this, but the price was too high even if I had been paying attention: Cliff Jordan, Cliff Craft, Blue Note 1582. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. I was looking at this with a couple of days to go and the price was relatively low. I thought, given the condition, perhaps it might be worth a snipe. It wound up selling for $1,125. However, I do have hope for acquiring this record in the future. I’ve got an idea I may be getting a copy for my birthday one of these days. How did I finagle that? I’ll tell you in another post this week.

John Coltrane, Blue Train, Blue Note 1577. This was an original pressing that looked to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $1,602.77.

Whilst we’re perusing the $1,000 bin, here are a few more:

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