Miles Davis | jazzcollector.com

Riffing on Kind of Blue

April 6, 2018 Al 16 comments

I’m at my home in The Berkshires and it is snowing. Will winter ever end? Other than my work and my records, there is also eBay to keep my pre-occupied, to wit: For some reason I was watching three copies of Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, Columbia 1355. I must have been doing so for a Jazz Collector post, such as this one, since I don’t have interest in the record for my own collection in that I am already in possession of three copies, and three copies of Kind of Blue is probably a more than somewhat reasonable number for any collection. Anyway, this first copy of Kind of Blue was a mono pressing with the six eyes logo and the white label and, if I were to be interested in a copy of Kind of Blue, it would be a promo pressing because that is one I do not happen to own. This would not have been the one, however, in that there were small scratches and, as described by the seller, “occasional light background noise,” a flaw that I am finding increasingly irritating as I get older, for some reason. The cover was also far from perfect and was graded in VG+ condition. The final price was $500, but not for me.

Into the Woods (At the Right Price)

March 21, 2018 Al 28 comments

I was watching a few items from the Jazz Record Center auction that closed yesterday, including Phil Woods, Woodlore, Prestige 7018. This was an original yellow label New York pressing that looked to be in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The final price was $493.88. In looking at this auction, I realize I’m still somewhat of an old-school collector whose attitudes haven’t changed all that much, even as the value of the records has increased over the years. I love this record and have never owned an original pressing. As you know, I’ve been collecting jazz records for nearly 50 years. Still, as much as I would want an original pressing of this record in may collection, I would prefer to go without it at this kind of price — even though the market value will likely increase — and continue to wait until I get lucky and find it for a price I feel is reasonable. It’s not the money and it’s not even the principle. It’s more like the ingrained habit and the ethos of “this is how I choose to collect.” If I want to listen to Phil Woods, I have a lot of other great Phil Woods records to listen to. If I really want to listen to Woodlore, I have my Japanese pressing. That’s good enough for this collector.

Prestige

Jazz Vinyl Miscellany From A Random eBay Watch List

March 16, 2018 Al 17 comments

Going deep into my watch list on eBay to clear out some of the older items that have been sitting there. Let’s start with Ben Webster, Soulville, Verve 8274. This was an original trumpeter logo that was in M- condition for the record and VG for the cover. The final price was $207.50, which presents a question for me to pose here. I’ve noticed that among the Verve/Clef/Norgran records, Webster seems to be just below Lester Young in terms of value, more than Stan Getz, Johnny Hodges, Sonny Stitt, Buddy DeFranco and some of the other Verve regulars, who were either contemporaries or of the next generation. That’s not even counting Ella, Basie, Hampton or Tatum, whose records seem to have fallen off the value charts completely. Anyone care to proffer any theories for the elevation of Webster in the eyes of collectors, assuming you agree with my observation?

Dolphy Vinyl, Autograph Updates

March 12, 2018 Al 25 comments

Here are a few odds and ends we’ve been watching on eBay, starting with some Dolphy: Eric Dolphy at the Five Spot Volume One, New Jazz 8260. This was an original purple label, deep groove pressing. The record and cover were both listed in V++ condition, although the picture of the back cover would be more VG+ in my eyes. It’s always tempting when the front cover is so nice to try to ignore other blemishes. In my eyes, VG++ is reserved for covers that would otherwise be M- but have a single minor flaw, such as the original owner writing the date on the back, which was the case with all of the records I purchased in the Bruce M. West collection in Baltimore. A cover such as this, with blemishes and tape stains doesn’t quite say VG++ to these eyes, but I’m sure the buyer will be pleased, otherwise, he wouldn’t have bid $612.50.

All Star Autographs?

March 7, 2018 Al 11 comments

We are going to need the expertise of our friend Don-Lucky for this one: Sonny Rollins, Blue Note 1542. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing with a signature on the front that purports to be a Sonny Rollins autograph. I actually have an authentic Sonny Rollins autograph in my collection and, to my eyes, this one definitely looks legitimate. But this is Don-Lucky’s area of expertise, so I will refer to him, assuming he’s paying attention to Jazz Collector these days. The record looks to be in about VG condition and the cover is graded as good, but it does potentially have Sonny’s signature. The price is around $90 and the auction still has four days left. I find this of particular interest, not only because it would be cool to own an original pressing of this record with Sonny’s autograph, but because the seller has several other cool records with purported autographs, including this very special one:

A Couple Of Records You Don’t See Every Day

February 5, 2018 Al 11 comments

Several readers sent me the following link: John Coltrane, A Love Supreme, Impulse 77. This is a test pressing, dated Dec. 31, 1964. Look at it — it really does say “Ken” Coltrane. Anyway, it is in VG condition. And you can buy it now for a mere $20,000.

Here’s another really odd one I was watching: Miles Davis, Blue Note Volume 1. This is a Taiwan pressing with orange vinyl??? And it’s stereo??? I have no idea of the vintage or the motivation behind issuing an orange vinyl version of this record, but it was offered on eBay for $500 and did not sell. Can’t say I’m surprised. Stereo??? I don’t think so.

Milestones for a Milestone

February 4, 2018 Al 16 comments

I’ve been waiting a few months to post this photo, sent to me by my friend Dan with the simple message: “Feb 4, 1958.” That was 60 years ago today, which also happened to be the occasion my fifth birthday. Quite a birthday tribute to me. We figured with Miles, Cannonball and Coltrane, it had to be a Milestones session and, thank you Internet, that is precisely what it is. If this picture doesn’t put a smile on your face, maybe you woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.

Here’s one more thing:

For Sale

A Prestige-eous Day at Jazz Collector

November 14, 2017 Al 11 comments

Let’s look at a few from Prestige and related labels today, starting with Hank Mobley, Mobley’s Message, Prestige 7061. This was an original New York yellow label pressing listed as being in “pristine” condition from a reliable seller. The final price was $715.99, which strikes me as quite a bargain for this record in this condition. Or at least as much as any record for $715 can be a bargain. With this personnel — Mobley, McLean, Byrd, Barry Harris, Doug Watkins and Art Taylor — what would this record go for if it was on the Blue Note Label. I think we’d probably be looking in our metaphorical $2,000 bin.

Prestige

Four Favorites, For a Price

September 26, 2017 Al 13 comments

Back online again and tracking some of my favorite jazz records on eBay, starting with Jackie McLean, McLean’s Scene, New Jazz 8212. This is an original deep groove purple label pressing. The record is listed in VG+ or perhaps better condition and the cover is VG++. The start price is about $200 and so far there are no bidders with more than five days left. This one will get action, right?

Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, Columbia 1355. This is an original white label promotional copy. The record is listed in M- condition and the cover is Ex or Ex+ condition. There are more than four days left on the auction and the bidding is in the $170 range, with 13 bids. Curious to see where this ends up. We were watching a promo Kind of Blue a few weeks ago that had a $600 start price and no bidders — but it also had some condition questions. We have seen promo copies sell for as much as $2,700 in the past, but this one will not get to that level.

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