Booking
Sorry, yet again, for the long gap between posts. Been very busy around here. Plus, my computer crashed for a few days. Very disconcerting, when you are wondering whether you are going to be able to recover all of your files and settings, which I was able to do, fortunately, with tremendous online support from Apple. Now that we’re safely back in action, let’s catch up on some of the stuff we were watching on eBay before we were so rudely interrupted, starting with Booker Ervin, Groovin’ High, Prestige 7147. This was an original blue label mono pressing that was part of the Jazz Record Center auction we were watching. The record and cover looked to be in M- condition and the final price was $360, which was a new high for this record, according to Popsike. I am somewhat surprised to see the demand for these blue label Prestiges to have increased so much in the past few years, but I am also pleased to see it for a player like Booker Ervin, who, in my view, is quite underrated and always produced some very nice records.
Just to show that Groovin’ High was no fluke, there were also these from the JRC auction: Booker Ervin, The Freedom Book, Prestige 7295. This was an original yellow label mono pressing that also looked to be in M- condition. The final price was $392. This was not a new high for The Freedom Book, which has sold for more than $800 on one occasion. And Booker Ervin, The Space Book, Prestige 7386. This was an original blue label mono pressing. The record looked to be M- and the cover was probably VG++. The final price was $289.99.
Whilst on the JRC auction, let’s fill in the gaps of some of the records mentioned in the previous post and assorted comments. There was Kenny Dorham, Quiet Kenny, New Jazz 8225, with the drill hole through the center of the cover and the label. This one sold for $3,023. There was Bill Evans, Explorations, Riverside 351, with the misprinted cover. This one sold for $539. There was Teddy Edwards, Good Gravy!, Contemporary 3592. This was an original deep-groove mono pressing that was in M- condition for the record and probably VG+ or VG++ for the cover. This one sold for $133.50.
Of course, we were also watching other auctions. Here is one that caught our eye. Sonny Rollins and the Modern Jazz Quartet, Barclay 84057. This looked to be an original French pressing of the early Rollins Prestige 12-inch compilation. I had never this version and the cover is quite cool. Both record and cover were in M- condition and the start price was about $200. There were no bidders, so I would expect to see this back soon, perhaps at a lower price. I was listening to a playlist I had compiled a while ago and “Slow Boat to China” came on. Sonny was just 21 or 22 and, man, could he play. I am currently reading (and thoroughly enjoying) the new biography Saxophone Colossus: The Life of Sonny Rollins by Aidan Levy. Definitely a must-read for Sonny fans, which means it is a must-read for Jazz Collector readers, because it is impossible to imagine that anyone reading this far into this post is not a Sonny fan, right?
The big ticket items went for big money, and the hidden gems (Teddy Edwards, Sonny Criss, Walt Dickerson) didn’t. The jazz collectorship continues to suffer from a lack of imagination.
Yes Paul, i think the lack of imagination is accelerated by social media algorithms. Basically collecting is now focused on +\- 500 records you must have for social approval. We all know which ones.
I would have written sooner, but I have been super busy punching holes in all my Blue Note records …
Lighten up folks ! Enjoy the music.
Is it just me, or did lots of those JRC auctions see very light action? Talking 2-3 bids (with several others seeing not much more) on stuff like Evans, Ervin, Money Jungle. Even some of the grail-ish stuff only got a dozen or so bids. Of course most collectors know Dorham will end out of their range and so don’t even bother, but it’s still a little surprising. Perhaps the macroeconomic scene right now has pulled many less-well-heeled bidders out of the running while a smaller number of people with deep pockets can continue to bid?
Japhy, maybe people who are new to this don’t realize how few reliable sellers there actually are.
Japhy, I have also noticed lighter than usual activity on reliable items. This may be a seasonal thing, but it has been evident for some time.
A lot of sellers are also starting out with high opening bids,especially the original blue note records
case in point :
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ssn=rowdy7698&store_name=thebeggarstombrecords&_oac=1&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562
… Saxophone Colossus: The Life of Sonny Rollins by Aidan Levy is at the top of my list Al !!! (Glad to hear it is living up to the hype.)
p.s. – Happy (belated) New Year by the way.
Thanks for the reminder about the greatness of Rollins Al. I revisted The Sound of Sonny yesterday. It is a pretty amazing record.
High starting bids (and reserves) are the mark of an insecure seller. Insecure in his merchandise, and his ability to sell it. I remember when the best sellers would start the bidding at ten dollars regardless. It was a sign that you could bid in confidence.
Carolinasoul still starts his auctions low, and he gets high dollar especially his jazz records.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/385251583525?hash=item59b2c8a625%3Ag%3A35MAAOSwuAljfqpW&nma=true&si=rSoHcz%252BqdlBzrhl2%252B%252B0OtA1XbQE%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Geez,that Pullen/ Graves lp has one beautiful cover! And to open at $8 and get 9k? Not bad…