Ready for a Risk? How About a Sealed LP
We’ve been watching a seller this week with some sealed records on the Savoy label. These are a risk, since you can’t tell if the pressing is an original with the red label and the deep groove or perhaps a later pressing with the maroon label. The difference in value between these two pressings could be several hundred dollars — or perhaps even more, depending upon the record. While I’m a risk-taker, some of these got a little too high for my comfort level. Here are a couple:
Introducing Lee Morgan with the Hank Mobley Quintet, Savoy 12091. We’ve seen original copies of this record in nice condition selling for more than $500 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, so a new, unplayed original would be worth quite a bit. But is this an original? Only the buyer will know if, indeed, the buyer ever opens it. In this case the buyer is spending $161.50 to find out.
This one was also tempting:
Surf Ride Featuring Art Pepper, Savoy 12090. This was also sealed. The price was $150.
We were watching this record because it is a second pressing and it seemed to be getting some action: Zoot Sims, Zoot, Jazzland 2. This was an orange label pressing and it had the deep groove, but it is a reissue of Zoot!, Riverside 228. This one was in VG+ condition for the vinyl and VG++ for the cover and it sold for $77.99, which is not bad for a Jazzland and not bad for a reissue.
My alter ego AJdoctor will be returning to eBay today after a lengthy absence of several weeks. I’ve got a couple of Jazzland LPs I’m putting up as well as a copy of Stan Levey This Time the Drum’s on Me, an original Bethlehem with some rare Dexter Gordon. Keep an eye out. It’s good to be back.
I would bet 160 or 150 for the Lee Morgan and Art Pepper, because :
1 – by the cover you can predict it is an orginal (at least the cover is the original.
2 – Whatever label is inside, 150 or 160 are correct prices for NM second press.
Our friend Bob Djukic has a sealed Trane “Giant Steps” on Atlantic on auction.
I like the way he prepares the prospective buyer for what to expect inside.
Michel’s analysis on the Savoy albums is the correct one. One cannot add anything more.
Sorry, but Bob Djukic can be very dishonest. I know of one occasion in particular when I pointed out to him that a sealed record which he was selling as “Guaranteed original first pressing” was not an original. I sent him photos of an original, and pointed out the differences on the back cover. He got defensive, and left his auction up unchanged. It’s simply dishonest to say “Guaranteed” when he can’t guarantee anything.
Yes, Michael, it’s very possibly that some of his listings are not 100% factually correct but the shear number of rare recordings he has in excellent to near mint condition is simply bewildering which I think leads most prospective buyers into bidding big numbers based on his history of selling super rare LPs and his current listings. It’s all about money and what people are willing to pay, regardless of his thorough descriptions that personally I think are over the top and make every record he’s selling seem like the best possible copy available. I mean the guy’s got sealed VeeJay LPs, #’d White Albums, etc etc etc. plus enough obscure releases by lesser known artists to make your head spin. Anyone know any history about BobDJukic? How did he come across so many rare albums in amazing condition. Did he buy multiple copies back in the day or did he work at a radio station or something? His collection is beyond ridiculous.