Iconic Autographs and a “Visit” to a Jazz Record Store in 1957

A reader sent me a link to this auction: John Coltrane, Ballads, Impulse A-32. This was an original mono pressing, I think. It doesn’t actually state the condition of the record, but that’s not what makes this copy particularly interesting, and valuable. It is signed in ink by all four members of the quartet: Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones. The record is described as coming from the personal collection of Jimmy Fox, founder of the James Gang. The final price was $5,001.25. Here’s my response to the reader:

“Cool. Thanks for the heads up. Did you either buy or sell the album? I would have been interested, for sure, but the price tag would have scared me away, even though I am sure something like that will not only retain its value, but will increase its value. Plus, it would be awesomely cool to own.” I’ll let you know if I get a reply.

Whilst on the subject of autographs, there is this record closing today on eBay: Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet, Prestige 7029. This is an original New York yellow label pressing that is listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The cover is signed: “Hey Morrie STAY WELL THANKS FOR LISTENING Sonny Rollins.  I have a Sonny autograph in my collection, and this looks legitimate to me. Hopefully our old friend Don Lucky will weigh in at some point. The seller describes the provenance of the autograph and it also sounds perfectly legitimate, signed at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival Concert on June 23, 2001.  The auction closes in about 10 hours from the time of this writing with an initial price of $449. So far there are no bids and only eight watchers. My sense is that because the autograph comes from 2001, and is in black felt marker, and mentions the specific name “Morrie,” the presence of the autograph is actually a distraction and detraction for many collectors. It would not be for me, so perhaps . . .

Changing the subject, the other evening The Lovely Mrs. JC and I were searching Amazon Prime for a movie to watch and someone had recommended to her a new film called “Sylvie’s Love.” I hadn’t heard anything about it, but I agreed to watch. Well, here’s the deal: During the first part of the movie, at least a half hour or more, much of the action takes place in a fictional jazz record store in Harlem in 1957. I kid you not. And someone either knew what they were doing, or they consulted with Fred Cohen or someone else with a lot of knowledge because watching the movie, all I wanted to do was get into a time machine and put myself in that store and buy out all of the inventory.

I won’t spoil it for you by mentioning the records on display or discussed, but it is pretty cool, if not wholly accurate. I noticed at least one Coltrane record that was released later than 1957 and for some reason they had a band in 1957 playing “Waltz for Debby.” All that aside, it’s fun to watch the scenes in the record store. Pretty awesome, in fact. As for the rest of the movie, I have a hard time recommending it because it was quite melodramatic and soap opera-ey for my personal tastes, but the movie did get very solid reviews. For readers here, just the scenes in the record store will be worth the price of admission.