I’ll point out one more from the Carolina Soul/Chick Corea auction: Donald Byrd, Byrd in Hand, Blue Note 4019. This is also an original West 63^rd Street pressing. The record is listed in VG/VG- condition and the cover is graded as VG+. Bidding is at $325, and the auction closes later today. If you’re interested in cool stuff, bidding or just watching, you should take a look at the full auction by Carolina Soul.

Another big eBay seller, the Jazz Record Center, also has an auction going this week, including Mal Waldron, Mal/2, Prestige 7111.This is an original yellow label pressing with the New York address. The record looks to be in VG++ condition and the cover is probably VG+. Bidding is in the $260 range, with the auction closing on Monday. This one features John Coltrane. I have a Japanese copy, not an original. Could I be a bidder? One never knows.

One more: George Wallington Quintet, The Prestidigitator, East-West 4004. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG++ for the record and VG++ for the cover. This one features JR Monterose on tenor sax. My dad owned this record and, fortunately, I still have it. He must have bought it in the bargain bin somewhere, probably spent about a dollar or two on the record. Thanks, Dad. Bidding on this one is at $100, with more than a day left on the auction.

Not to be outdone, the Jazz Record Center also  had a mono copy of The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery, Riverside 320. This was the original deep-groove pressing with the blue logo and small reels label. The record was probably in M- condition and the cover was EX, with some minor marks. This one sold for $1036, more than $300 more than any previous Wes Montgomery record has ever sold for, again according to Popsike.

J.R. Monterose, Blue Note 1536. This was not an original pressing, and I extend my thanks to the reader JazzFan for pointing this out. Granted, it had the Lexington Avenue address on the labels, but it didn’t have the deep grooves. In my experience, this meant that Blue Note had some Lexington Avenue addresses left over during a later era, typically Liberty, and slapped them on a later pressing. I had a Herbie Nichols LP of the same type and tried to sell it on eBay for $100 a few years ago, but there were no takers. This J.R. Monterose record sold for $1,898.90

I was shocked to see one of the Monk records on Columbia sell for more than $1,000: Thelonious Monk, Criss-Cross, Columbia 2038.The record and cover looked to be in M- condition and the final price was $1,237.12. The rationale, such as it is, was that this was a white-label promo copy. My guess is that the folks at the Jazz Record Center were fairly surprised as well, since they only had a $75 starting price for this one.

What about this one: Thelonious Monk, Big Bank and Quartet in Concert, Columbia 2164. The cover was in the original shrink wrap and the record sealed in an inner sleeve, which is something Columbia seemed to do in those days. The record sold for $510. It had never sold for more than $100 before.

Something’s happening here, what it is ain’t  exactly clear.

Not a good start as I pore through some of the higher priced jazz vinyl. The first is Walter Davis Jr., Davis Cup, Blue Note 4018. This is an original pressing with the West 63^rd Street address. Great record. I, for one, have never owned an original pressing of this record, but I did purchase a United Artists copy from my old friend Red Carraro for $10 back in the 1970s or 1980s. I still have it. This copy on eBay looks totally beat. The seller didn’t have the nerve to describe the condition. But he did have the nerve to put a price of $1,500 on the record.

Paul Chambers, Whims of Chambers, Blue Note 1534. This looks to be an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The seller has graded the record as VG+ or VG++. He’s also graded the cover at near mint. The picture shows a cover that is probably closer to VG, with a seven-inch seam split. So, looking at the cover and the seller’s grading, I, for one, would have a hard time being confident that the record is either VG+ or VG++. But the seller says he has lowered the price by $500 and $300, so for just $1,150 this could be yours.

Finally, after passing United Artists Blue Notes at prices of $1,000, here we come to a seller who knows what he is actually doing: The Jazz Record Center. I like this one J.R. Monterose, Blue Note 1536. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing that looks to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The bidding is already past $500 with five days left to go in the auction, and more than 125 views in the past 24 hours.  This record has sold for more $2,000 in the past. Based on the condition of the record, and the reputation of the seller, I, for one, wouldn’t be surprised to see it get up there once again.

OK, now that I’ve found the Jazz Record Center auction, let’s see what else they have.

Thelonious Monk, The Unique, Riverside 209. This is an original white label pressing. The record and cover seem to be in around VG++ condition. I don’t know if I am pleased or displeased to see this listing. The copy I have of this record stinks. The record has surface noise and the cover has tape. I’ve played several tracks on my radio show/podcast and have always been disappointed. I promised my listeners, assuming I have listeners, that I would replace my copy with a better one. So I should be pleased, right? I mean, here’s a nice copy from a reliable seller. But, man, I haven’t bought a record on eBay in years and have always tried to avoid paying top dollar. A conundrum, no? I have a feeling I know what I’m going to do with this one, especially with Christmas coming up. And please don’t remind me that I’m Jewish and don’t celebrate Christmas. MYOB.

And that’s what I’ve been doing for many years now. I’m sure most of you noticed, particularly long-time readers such as Rudolf. Which is a long way of getting to this point: As I’ve been doing these searches recently, I’ve been finding that the sellers are asking for higher prices consistently, and the buyers are becoming less interested. I just went on to eBay for the first time in a few weeks and most of the records I looked at had high asking prices and zero bidders. It feels like the market is changing right before our eyes. In any case, rather than focus on records that are not getting bids, let’s start with a couple that are:

Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550. This looks to be an original New York 23 pressing. The cover is listed as VG+, but the vinyl looks to be probably VG- or worse. Bidding is in the $230 range, with less than two days left on the auction.

Walter Bishop Jr., Speak Low, Jazztime 002. The listing is very sketchy. I can’t see if it is an original pressing. The grading is VG+ for the record and cover, but there is no description. Still, the bidding is in the $230 range with four days left on the auction.

Now here are some rare jazz records that don’t have bids:

J.R. Monterose, Blue Note 1536. This looks like an original Lexington Avenue pressing, but I’m not sure about the cover, if it is frame or not. The record and cover looked to be in VG+ condition, based on the seller’s grading, but the cover have issues. The start price is about $800 and the auction will likely be closed by the time most of you read this.

Clifford Brown Memorial Album, Blue Note 1526. This looks to be an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The record is listed in VG condition and the cover is VG+. The start price is about $500.

By the way, I just posted a new edition of my podcast, from August 20. It is focused on “live” jazz performances and I think it’s a lot of fun. I have a new radio show coming up tonight, focused on the John Coltrane album Ballads as played by Trane and as sung by Karrin Allyson. If you want to listen live, it is at 8 p.m. Eastern tonight at WTBR-FM Pittsfield. When you get to the site just click “Listen.” I appreciate the feedback I’ve received so far on the podcasts and I’m always hungry for more.

The post What is Happening to the Rare Jazz Vinyl Market? first appeared on jazzcollector.com.]]> https://jazzcollector.com/blue-note/what-is-happening-to-the-rare-jazz-vinyl-market/feed/ 33 9251 https://jazzcollector.com/blue-note/inbox-una-mas-new-ojcs-autographs-and-a-rare-j-r/ https://jazzcollector.com/blue-note/inbox-una-mas-new-ojcs-autographs-and-a-rare-j-r/#comments Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:15:02 +0000 https://jazzcollector.com/?p=9142 I know it’s been a long time between posts, but there is a reason, and, fortunately, it has nothing to do with health, at least [...]

I know it’s been a long time between posts, but there is a reason, and, fortunately, it has nothing to do with health, at least physical health, but there may be some of you out there who will question my mental health once I get around to telling the whole story, which I will do in a few days. Sorry for the intrigue and mystery, but for a couple of days I want to just do regular, routine posts, looking at rare jazz records on eBay, so I can take a little more time to write about may latest adventure in Jazz Collecting. You’ve waited this long between posts, you can wait a few days more to hear the story. Meanwhile, our old friend CeeDee has gotten impatient, rightfully so, and sent me a link to this record: Kenny Dorham, Una Mas, Blue Note 4127. This looks to be an original New York USA pressing. The cover is pretty trashed and the record plays with slight noise throughout. It is on buy-it-now on eBay for $245. Something about this listing has perplexed Mr. CeeDee because this is the note that accompanied the link: “I don’t know whether to laugh, cry or scream. I’m sure there is something missing . . . isn’t there?” Is there?

Also in my inbox was a new press release from Craft Recordings announcing that they are relaunching the Original Jazz Classics series on vinyl. The press release mentions that the first OJC issues came out in 1982, which is more than 40 years ago, which seems quite amazing to me. I was never a huge fan of the original OJCs, with their soft cardboard covers and thin vinyl. I would use them to fill in gaps in my collection, but always with the idea that I would like to replace them with originals as soon as possible. These new OJCs are being pressed on 180-gram vinyl and “housed in a replica of the original tip-on jacket. I have no idea what the original tip-on jacket means, but I hope they are using thicker cardboard so they feel more like the original original pressings. If these are nicer copies that the first round of OJCs, do you think they will have any impact on the market for first pressings. Perhaps collectors will be content with a nice reissue, but if experience is any guide, it might make the originals even more in demand as collectors/listenters get hooked on the idea of having these great music on vinyl. The first two records to be issued are Workin’ With the Mildes Davis Quintet and the Monk/Coltrane record on Jazzland. Looks like the first of the products are shipping at the end of May. Perhaps I’ll be among the first to purchase, even though I have both records, just to report on it here at Jazz Collector.

While I’m here, I will clear out some of the other items in my mailbox. This one comes from a reader looking for a buyer: “I have a programme from a Jimmy Smith gig in Birmingham, England. It is signed by Jimmy and his guitarist Nathan Page when I met him at the stage door. Would it be of any interest to anyone as I am willing to sell it?” If you are interested send me an email at alatjazzcollectordotcom and I will pass on your name and email address.

One of our readers bought a collection and sent this note: “Recently I bought a Jazz LP collection and found a sample copy. This record is a promotional press of J.R. Monterose recorded in 1963 live in Tender Trap at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I read in a Japanese website that it was a British Spotlight recording distributed as promotional records in Japan in only 20-30 copies, but for copyright problems never released. Later it was repressed in 1993 by Fresh Sound. The sample copy is: Spotlight SPJ 152 (C 556). Do you know something more about this sample copy and his grading of rarity? I suppose, as it was written in that Japanese Web site, it’s a very rare record.” I replied that I was ignorant about this particular record, but felt pretty sure that someone in the Jazz Collector audience will have the information. So, if that someone is out there, please comment.

Finally, our friend Clifford sent this link: My Name is Albert Ayler, Fontana 6888603 ZL. The record was graded VG and the cover was just good. But the cover had signatures from Albert Ayler, Don Cherry, Gary Peacock and Sunny Murray. Per Clifford: “I’ve seen one other Ayler autograph in my life, almost exactly the same, so it’s definitely legit – the Sunny Murray signature looks like the other ones I’ve seen.” There were four bids and the final price was $1,532.

The post InBox: Una Mas, New OJCs, Autographs and A Rare J.R. first appeared on jazzcollector.com.]]> https://jazzcollector.com/blue-note/inbox-una-mas-new-ojcs-autographs-and-a-rare-j-r/feed/ 7 9142 https://jazzcollector.com/blue-note/worktime-for-jazz-vinyl/ https://jazzcollector.com/blue-note/worktime-for-jazz-vinyl/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2022 19:15:36 +0000 https://jazzcollector.com/?p=9054 Here’s another one of those cool original UK Esquire issues of a U.S. Prestige: Sonny Rollins Quartet, Worktime, Esquire 32-038. This is an original pressing [...]

The post Worktime for Jazz Vinyl first appeared on jazzcollector.com.]]> Here’s another one of those cool original UK Esquire issues of a U.S. Prestige: Sonny Rollins Quartet, Worktime, Esquire 32-038. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG++ condition for the cover and VG+ condition for the record. The bidding starts at $400 and so far there are no bidders with more than four days left on the auction. I kind of love this cover, but in looking at it closely, does it make sense? Doesn’t look like work time for Sonny, more like nap time. Or maybe it’s time to wake up and get to work. In any case, trying to look too deeply into covers is often a fruitless exercise, beauty being in the eye of the beholder and, to these eyes at least, this one is a beauty.

Here’s another Sonny from the same seller: Sonny Rollins A Night at the Village Vanguard, Blue Note 1581. This looks to be an original deep groove West 63^rd Street pressing. The record and cover are both graded in VG+ condition. This one also has a start price of $400 with no bidders and four days left on the auction.

J.R. Monterose, The Message, Jaro 5004. This is an original mono pressing. It looks to be in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. Bidding for this starts at about $500 and so far there is no action, also with four days left. And one more closing in four days with no bids: Warne Marsh, Jazz of two Cities, Imperial 9027. This looks to be a first pressing. There’s wording on the cover that says “recorded in stereophonic sound.” This would be early even for using the word stereo, since it is a 1957 record and that was the year of the first stereo issues. But maybe Imperial was ahead of the game. I don’t have an original copy of the record to compare. The start price on this one is $275.

The post Worktime for Jazz Vinyl first appeared on jazzcollector.com.]]> https://jazzcollector.com/blue-note/worktime-for-jazz-vinyl/feed/ 3 9054

“Hi Al, hope all is well. I’ve been doing some shopping over on Yahoo! Japan Auctions and found a couple interesting pieces I thought I’d share. First off is a sold listing: J.R. Monterose’s self-titled on Blue Note. According to the seller it only had the RVG and ear on side two. If I had to guess I’d assume it would be a later pressing because of this. It still fetched a nice sum though!
Then I noticed this copy of In Action. This is probably number one on my want list, but I can’t justify (or afford) the prices they command. I don’t think they’ll get what they’re asking, but you never know. It looks like the back cover might be autographed, but it’s not the best picture quality and they don’t have a picture of the writing itself.

Last one I found was this little lot of Blue Notes. The seller says it’s a mixture of Japanese and US pressings, and the label pictures support it. If it stays low enough I’d be tempted, but I’ve already got a large package coming from Japan and shouldn’t add any more to it! Just thought I’d give you a heads up since I don’t know if you use Buyee.”

This note came in from Kevin under the subject line “Miles davis test pressing.”

“Thought this would interest you and your readers. It’s not Ebay, but still pretty cool. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/105899518_miles-davis-carnegie-hall-test-pressing-so-what”

Joe Henderson, Page One, Blue Note 4140. This was an original mono pressing that was listed in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. Again, I look at pictures of the back cover and think that VG+ is a stretch, which naturally makes me question if the M- is also a stretch. The top bid was $898 – and that failed to meet the seller’s reserve price. I realize that these are Blue Notes but, still, is this what to expect as the new normal?

It’s not just the music and records: I’m not following sports; not going out to eat; not interacting nearly as much with anyone outside of my immediate family and closest friends. It feels like normalcy has been suspended until we someday come to a new normal, if, indeed, there is anything we can rely on as normal in our futures. I started writing this as an explanation for my disappearance the past few weeks and also as an assurance that I am actually doing quite OK, physically, mentally and spiritually, just in case anyone was wondering. I’m also curious about how the pandemic is affecting the broader community’s relationship with music and records, so if you are still out there, please consider taking a moment to comment. Meanwhile, since I’m here, I may as well take a look over at eBay and see what has been happening in my absence.

Wouldn’t you know it, the first record that caught my eye is from the Jazz Record Center: Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet, Prestige, 7029. This has always been a weird one because Prestige somehow managed to print the wrong catalogue number on the front. As a longtime journalist, I’ve always been amazed that something like that could slip through the cracks. Can anyone think of other examples in our Jazz Collector world? Obviously, Kind of Blue comes to mind immediately What else? This is an original pressing with the original cover and the New York address on the labels. The record looks to be in M- condition and the cover is probably VG+ or VG++, with a previous owner trying to make the 7020 appear to look something like a 7029. There is one bid for this record at $500, with a couple of days left on the auction.

Among the other records for auction this week from the JRC is this: Max Roach, His Chorus and Orchestra, It’s Time, Impulse A-16. I never considered this to be highly collectible, and perhaps it is not, but there are already eight bids and the price is getting close to $100. The eight bids are from just two people, so perhaps we are seeing something of a bidding war. The record and cover both look to be in M- condition.

Whilst I was away from eBay, The Jazz Record Center had an auction in which there were a number of United Artists Blue Note pressings. Careful readers may recall that I bought dozens of these from my friend Red Carraro when they first came out, in the late 1970s or early 1980s. I still have many of these pressings, including Presenting  Lee Morgan, Cliff Jordan Cliff Craft, J.R. Monterose and more. I also sold many of these back when I was doing eBay, whenever I would get an original pressing. Typically they would sell for $10 to $20 back maybe 15 years ago, or so. Here were more recent prices from the JRC auction:

Lee Morgan, Indeed, Blue Note 1538: $202.49

Hank Mobley Quintet, Blue Note 1550: $152.50

Kenny Dorham, Afro-Cuban, Blue Note 1535: $102.50

J.R. Monterose, Blue Note 1536: $104.38

That’s just a small sample. Check out the link above for more. It’s an interesting phenomenon because these pressings have become much more interesting to collectors than the subsequent Japanese pressings which, to me, seem to be of higher quality in both the pressings and the packaging. But I may be somewhat prejudiced, having paid so relatively little for the UA pressings and having spent 40 years or so on a quest to replace each and every one of them with an original pressing. 🙂

Here’s one you don’t see often: Jack Sheldon Quintet with Zoot Sims, Jazz West JWLP-2. This looks to be an original 10-inch pressing. It’s hard to rate the condition based on the seller’s description, so it’s hard to figure what the value might be. In the past, the record has sold for as much as $560 and there are several instances of it selling for more than $300. You can have this copy for a buy-it-now price of $227.50, which seems reasonable, but then there are the questions about condition. We’ll keep an eye and see what happens. The auction price is now $175, closing in four days.

Following up on a few other records we’d been watching, there was Lester Young, The President Plans With the Oscar Peterson Trio, Norgran 1054. This was an original yellow label pressing courtesy of the Jazz Record Center. The record looked to be in M- condition for the vinyl and the cover. When we posted this on Jazz Collector the bidding was in the $165 range. The final price was $610.

From that same auction was Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet, Prestige 7029. This was an original New York yellow label pressing. The record and cover looked to be in VG++ condition. The final price was $531. Never thought of this one as particularly collectible, but I guess I was wrong: Zoot Sims in Paris, United Artists 15013. This was a sealed copy that sold for $223.

Finally, we’ll add one to the $1,000 bin: Sonny Clark, Cool Struttin’, Blue Note 1588. The record was listed in VG+ condition, but the seller warned that it played with some mild surface noise, so I would bring that grade down to VG at best. The cover looked to be VG+. The final price was $1,123.22