Comments on: E-baying: Newk, Jackie and a Bix 78

By: bill

bill — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 08:13:15 +0000

The $400-$500 range was for NM or VG++ condition. Mine was a strong VG+. One thing I always have trouble with is the eBay condition grid which undermines the old Goldmine standard as there was no VG++ in Goldmine. I believe this causes a lot of confusion both with older collectors who have experience with the old Goldmine standards and newer collectors who distrust anything below VG++, and might even hurt some sellers who adhere to the Goldmine standard. I also use a (+) in some grading to show that the record plays at a higher grade then it looks, but it is very hard to be completely precise in any visual description of a VG+ record, even though it is in collector’s condition. Any way you look at it, VG+ is a most subjective grade and suffers because of that. Auction bidders are sometimes hesitant to commit big bucks on a rare record in that condition unless they have had experience with the seller and are confident in the seller’s grading. That being said, it did not seem to bother the Jackie auction very much.

By: Bill Walter

Bill Walter — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 22:19:57 +0000

I’ve thought for a few years that “Plus 4” and some of the other Rollins originals on Prestige are selling for bargain prices (the exception of course is Saxophone Colossus). Whoever bought the example above got a great deal!

By: rl1856

rl1856 — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 13:38:08 +0000

Sonny Plus Four- Collectors Frenzy shows prices of $400-$500 between 2013-2015. But overall price range for this title is extremely wide. Lots of copies in circulation and several reissues available may be partly responsible. Regardless- I love this title and it will be pried from my cold dead hands. I purchased my VG++ NYC copy about 20yrs ago for about 10% of the linked auction.

By: bill

bill — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 23:40:52 +0000

I think the price of the Rollins fit nicely into the pricing pattern I found on Popsike. I listed it previously for $50 more because of the great cover condition, but I got no response at all. I don’t know why this piece isn’t more expensive. Certainly the Jackie isn’t ten times as good or ten times as rare (or is it?).

By: Art Klempner

Art Klempner — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 20:01:28 +0000

John is the man when it comes to 78’s. He is great guy and when it comes to being fair , he is really the gold standard. Considering the garbage that sells for so much more than this record,I can guarantee a very pleased buyer. Finding an “E” Bix on Gennett, what’s not to like!

By: geoffrey wheeler

geoffrey wheeler — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:20:38 +0000

John Tefteller, seller of the Bix disc, is a very careful grader. If he says it’s “E,” it’s E and should be a decent looking and playing record. The gold-and-black Gennett label is quite handsome. Whether it’s worth $241.50 is up to the prospective buyer, of course. Mr. Tefteller’s name and renown goes a long way in giving credibility to a 78 offering. Seldom does he offer jazz items, however. Gennett jazz in good condition will likely command a good price. Frankly, I wouldn’t pay $241.50 for this item because only the “Oh Baby” side offers enough Bix to satisfy. “Copenhagen,” which should be a hot one, has more ensemble than solos, and Bix is barely heard from. The two sides on the above disc were recorded May 6, 1924 and are among the earliest of Bix recordings. That alone makes them valuable. Even more valuable would be the same tunes paired on the Claxtonola label, which is rare indeed.