Are Sales Drooping? Some Items For the Weekend
Is it me, or do things seem slow on eBay? I’m seeing a lot of action on the high-end records, but not much among the mid-tier collectibles. I had a bunch of items this week that I listed for $15, expecting they would sell for $30 or $40 or more, but most of them actually sold for less than $20. I even took advantage of the lull and bid on a few items myself and, fortunately or unfortunately, actually wound up winning a couple. In any case, there are some interesting items on eBay this weekend, so we’ll keep an eye on prices. Here are some of the ones we’re watching:
Phil Woods, Woodlore, Prestige 7018. I had a vigorous internal debate about putting this one on Jazz Collector, since I wouldn’t mind it myself. It’s an original New York pressing and it’s in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The seller is quite reliable, from my experience. This one closes tomorrow and is still less than $40. As for my vigorous internal debate, obviously here it is on the site. I decided to not show the picture. Small compromise, no?
This seller has a whole batch of items, including: The Dual Role of Bob Brookmeyer, Prestige 7066. This is an original New York yellow label pressing and the item is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It closes in two days, the start price is $99 and so far there are no bidders. Check out the seller’s other items as well. There are a few in this category, starting price of about $100 and no bids.
Here’s another nice one:
John Coltrane (et al), Wheelin’ and Dealin’, Prestige 7131. This is an original New York yellow label. The record is listed in M- condition and the cover is VG+. The price is $90 and there are a couple of days left. I used the “et al” in the description because Coltrane is not really the leader on the date. It is one of those Prestige all-star sessions with three horn players, also including Frank Wess and Paul Quinichette. I have always filed this record with my Coltrane records and I would wager almost everyone out there who owns this record has done the same thing. Right?
Woodlore: this one has the original Prestige label used up to 7035. Compare with the later and final NYC label, as shown on 7066. The difference is in the letter type and the shade of yellow used.
7131: not right! I am filing my records by label and then by catalogue number. It is the only way to find a record. With compilations, all stars and co-op groups, filing by artists becomes complicated. What about Dick Bock’s anthologies? How to handle that??
Rudolf, you’re always full of pleasant surprises. I tried doing it by labels and catalogue numbers once and it was great for the major labels such as Blue Note, Verve and Prestige although it had the unfortunate effect of making me want to fill in every single number, even if the missing number was a reissue or a record I would otherwise have had no interest in. I went back to sorting by artist and the compilations go at the very end after the Z’s. The other thing I’ve done, is I’ve broken them down by records pre-1970 and post-1970. Otherwise, it would be too many records for one room and too many records by some artists, such as Ella, Zoot, Stitt, Oscar, etc., who would just go on and on and on.
Having a manageable thousand or so records I can afford to use a complex and intuitive system of genres and subgenres. Avant-Garde stuff with avant-garde stuff, in-but-out stuff next to that, sixties post bop next to that etc…. this often defaults to labels and artists at the micro level. Bluenote to my ear has a distinct flavour in contrast to, say, Atlantic. I run into problems with artists who leap across sub-genres, like Miles and Hancock. Anyway, it changes with use and is constantly in flux.
OMG Did I write “Bluenote”? What’s my penance? I may have to turn in my jazzcollector.com card and return my free collectible prize.
Al: no system is 100% satisfactory. I got indeed trapped for a while into becoming a label completist, which is an unsound approach to collecting.
Hey guys… Remember that infamous ebay listing for a promo copy of Miles Davis – Kind of Blue LP with a “bargin” buy it now price of $5000 ? Guess what is back on ebay this weekend !!!
E-bay Item number: 320503988198
from the seller jazz*rock68…
Can’t blame him for trying, after all it is “the only one he has ever seen” !? (Someone actually made an offer on it too if you can believe it !) Al, was that you ? heh heh.