This is one with hand-drawn shower curtain labels: Sun Ra & His Arkestra Featuring Pharaoh Sanders and Black Harold. Yes, the likes of the shower-curtain labels are unfamiliar to me as well. This one sold for $6,089.98.

There were dozens of records getting really really high prices, many of which remain out of my interest or expertise, including the two above. I’ll offer one more, but it’s worth going to the site to see for yourself: Infinite Spirit Music, Live Without Fear, Ancient Afrika Records. The record was listed in VG++ condition and the cover was VG+, with no hand painting or shower curtains (to my knowledge). The final price was $2,025.

Among the jazz vinyl we watch more regularly here at Jazz Collector, there was Lee Morgan Indeed, Blue Note 1538. This looked to be an original Lexington Avenue pressing in VG condition for the record and VG- for the cover. Despite the less-than-stellar condition, this copy sold for $1,828. And there was Curtis Fuller Volume 3, Blue Note 1583. This was an original deep groove West 63^rd Street pressing listed in VG condition for the record and the cover. The final price was $1,113.55. And Tommy Flanagan, The Cats, New Jazz 8217. This was an original purple label pressing that looked to be in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. The final price was $810.

Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore, Blowing in From Chicago, Blue Note 1549. This looks to be an original New York 23 pressing. This is another seller with a deep description. From what he describes, I would say VG++ for the record and maybe VG+ for the cover? Previous owner wrote his name on the Side One label, which is never a good selling point. There are six days left on the auction and there is already a bid at the start price of $500. I think this will join the Monterose in the $1,000 bin.

I can usually tell when I’ve been away too long, because there is usually a “miss Al” note from Japhy and a bunch of emails in the queue from CeeDee. Thanks for caring. 🙂

CeeDee indeed sent me several notes regarding the recent auction of Sun Ra records from the seller Carolina Soul, which were also noticed by Jay in a comment on the last post, to the tune of $30,000 in total. These were the links CeeDee sent:

Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra, Planet Earth, Saturn Records from 1966. This was listed in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. There were 23 bidders, 53 bids and the final price was $3,437.

Sun Ra and His Outer Space Arkestra, A Fireside Chat With Lucifer, Saturn Records. The record was listed as VG++ and the cover was VG+. This one had 20 bidders, 43 bids and a final price of $1,500.

Sun Ra, Lanquidity, Philly Jazz. This one was in VG+ condition for the recrod and VG for the cover. The final price was $1,350.

Whilst on the subject of Run Ra, I received a note from a reader as follows: “Looking for ‘Live at Slugs’ have exhausted ebay and other channels I know of, even Discogs. Wondering if you had any search ideas or a reader that has a copy they would like to sell for a reasonable price.”

I replied that I don’t have any search ideas, but I would put his inquiry into my next post and see what pops up.

Here’s a note from Bonhams Music Auction, with a link to: A Buescher Alto Saxophone Played by John Coltrane.

“I thought you would be interested to see and share with your readers and incredible piece we have included in our Music auction running online here at Bonhams until October 19 – an alto saxophone played by John Coltrane on a Gene Ammons All Stars recording session for Prestige Records at the Van Gelder studio in NJ in 1958. There is a photograph of Coltrane playing the sax in the studio and the sax has been on exhibition at the Grammy Museum, amongst others. A link to the sax in our auction is below. Of you click through the sale, you will also see we have an incredible collection relating to Billie Holiday.”

The starting bid for the Coltrane Buescher alto is $40,000, with the expected price to be in the $50,000 to $70,000 range. The Billie Holiday ephemera is pretty cool, lots of signed stuff, including contracts and correspondence, more than 20 lots worth of stuff The other thing that caught my eye was this tablecloth, with a sketch by John Lennon and signatures by John as well as the other Beatles. It would definitely be a cool thing to own, but the bidding is already at $65,000 on an item that had been expected to fetch $15,000 to $25,000.  Given the history and provenance of the item, plus the fact that it is a drawing by John, there is no price that would surprise me. We may have to start a million-dollar bin for this one. Here’s an article about the tablecloth from The Washington Post.

One more item: The New Jersey Jazz Records Collectors’ Bash, which had been scheduled for Oct. 27-29, has been cancelled. The note states that there weren’t enough confirmed vendors to make the event financially viable and, to top it off, one of the event organizers fractured his ankle and would have been out of commission. The note expresses the disappointment of the promoters and suggests that the Bash will not go on under their auspices. It ends: “If you, or anyone else you know, is interested in taking over the reins, please let me know.”

Too bad. Although I hadn’t been to a Bash in many years, I always found it enjoyable when I went in the past, and I’m sure many Jazz Collectors and dealers look forward to it. Maybe, someone else will take the reins. Perhaps even someone reading this post, although certainly not the person writing it.

More missives from CeeDee:

Shelly Manne, 2,3,4, Impulse A-20. This was an original orange label mono pressing from the Jazz Record Center. The record looked to be in M- condition and the cover was probably VG++. The final price was $400. This also must be top dollar for this record and perhaps any record with Shelly Manne as a leader. Back to Popsike  . . . . Nope, it is the second highest. In 2013 there was as sealed copy of Shelly Manne & His Men at the Blackhawk Volume One that sold for $494.

Sun Ra & His Arkestra, Media Dreams, Saturn, CMP 1978, “Handmade Shower Curtain Art.” Not being a Sun Ra collector, I know little about this album, nor do I know what is meant by Handmade Shower Curtain Art, although it sounds quite intriguing. I’m sure Clifford will fill me and others in soon enough. In any case this record as in VG+ condition and the cover was VG-. The final price was $3,225. CeeDee also sent this one: Sun Ra & His Arkestra, Deep Purple, Saturn 485, also with handmade shower curtain art. This record was VG/VG+ and the cover was also VG-. The final price was $2,551.

I received a note from a gentleman in Sweden who has what is likely the most complete collection of Howard McGhee recordings in the world. I am not sure what he wants, but, with his permission, I would be fine to share his email address with anyone interested. You know where to reach me.

Here’s another question from a reader, for which I don’t have the answer at hand, but I do think the answer may be buried somewhere on the Jazz Collector site in comments. One of these days, when I am no longer working full time, I will take the time to go through the site and compile everything relevant into a wonderful print or web edition. In the meantime, the question at hand is: “Does anyone know what happened to the inventory of Dayton’s when Jimmy died? Was it sold? Does it still exist?”

Here’s another link that came in from a reader, with the following note:

“Subject: Jackie McLean on Ad Lib without cover

I wonder how many people would pay $1,280.99 for an album without a cover? Rare album of course, but still . . . .

Jackie McLean, the New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601″

The record was listed in VG++ condition. There was some damage to the label on the A side. Answer to the question: If someone had the cover, but didn’t have the record, that person would pay $1,280.99 for the record.

Here are a couple more from the same seller. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, Columbia 1355. This was an original 6-eye red label listed in EX condition for both the record and the cover. The final price was $790. Another record that keeps going up, up, up in value. This is one I never viewed as particularly “collectible,” but in my view anything that sells for $100 or more is still in that category: The Max Roach Trio featuring the legendary Hasaan, Atlantic 1435. This one had a red and purple label. Frankly, I have a hard time distinguishing what is an original pressing during this period of Atlantic releases. This one was in VG+ condition for the record and cover and sold for $125.50.  The cover had a cut-out hole, which means it was likely relegated to the bargain bins at one point. I haven’t listened to this record in years, but I have it, so perhaps in my new random listening phase I will put this on the turntable to see if I agree that Hasaan was, indeed,  legendary.

Here’s one that is closing in a couple of days and is already in the $1,000 bin: Sun Ra and His Solar Arkestra Visit Planet Earth, Saturn/Enterplan LP 9956 11A. I never got into collecting or listening to Sun Ra and I am sure I’ve been missing something great. This one is in VG++ condition for the record and the cover and is already at $1,480. Hoping Clifford or others familiar with this music will provide some insight.

As always, there are lots of nice Blue Notes on eBay at this time, including this one from my own personal want list: Cliff Jordan, Cliff Craft, Blue Note 1587. This looks to be an original West 63rd Street pressing. The vinyl is listed as VG+ and the cover as M-. The bidding is in the $200 range and there is less than a day to go on the auction, with nine bidders and 11 bids. The action seems very light for a record of this quality in this condition and I would expect the bidding to end up close to the $1,000 range or beyond. But, you never know. Hey, if the action stays light, I may even toss in a bid myself.

One more for the day: Jackie McLean, Capuchin Swing, Blue Note 4038. This looks to be an original West 63rd Street pressing, listed in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. The start price is $650, there are no bidders and the auction closes today. I would think this would sell, but the seller doesn’t add to his credibility by stating “this is Mcleans (sic) rarest,” which we all know is just hyperbole and, of course, is not true. Any knowledgeable collector would assume, as I do, that The New Tradition on Ad Lib is the rarest of the McLeans. I mean, there are not that many artists where you can say, yes, this is the rarest, but McLean seems to be one. Right?

the provenance of this one was extremely appealing. It had the note from Alfred Lion to Leonard Feather, asking him to write the liner notes. Talk about a one-of-a-kind item. Plus it had the stamped Blue Note address, the big Plastylite label and the strange letterhead from Alfred Lion that for some reason says: “Alfred W. Lyons.” What is that? Just writing about it now fills me with regret at not having won it, although I am sure I will survive I did have the dubious honor of placing second in the auction. I bid $621.11 and it sold for $631.11. There’s no knowing just how how high the other bidder would have gone, so I’ll never know how close I came, unless the winner is a Jazz Collector reader and chooses to come forward.

Between the Jazz Record Center auction and a couple of others I was watching, it was, indeed, a day for heavy hitters on eBay. Here are some of the other results for those of you keeping score at home.

From JRC:

Louis Smith, Smithville, Blue Note 1594: $2,000

Ike Quebec, Test Pressing of Easy Living, which wasn’t actually released until 1987: $2,025

John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573: $1,749.74

Jackie McLean, Swing, Swang, Swingin’, Blue Note 4024: $898

Don Cherry, Complete Communion, Blue Note 4226: $465

James Moody With Strings, Blue Note 5005: $177.50

Non-JRC:

Donald Byrd, Byrd Blows on Beacon Hill, Transition 17: $2,449

Donald Byrd, Byrd-Jazz, Transition 5: $1,875.55

Jazz By Sun Ra, Transition 10: $2,800

And the final tally is: WOW!

John Jenkins and Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573. This is also an original pressing that looks to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The bidding for this has surpassed $1,000 with only two bidders. Will it make the $2,000 bin?

Louis Smith, Smithville, Blue Note 1594. This is an original pressing. It’s at least in VG++ condition, probably M- for most collectors. The bidding is in the $800 range.

This seller has a few nice Transition records for sale now, including Donald Byrd, Byrd Blows on Beacon Hill, Transition 17. This is an original pressing with the booklet. The record is listed in Ex condition and the cover VG+ with a seam split. Bidding is in the $725 range and the auction closes later today. Also, Jazz by Sun Ra, Transition 10. This is another  original pressing with a booklet. The record is listed in Ex condition, and the cover looks to be VG or VG+, depending upon how you feel about tape on an otherwise black cover (I don’t like it, so it would be VG for me).

“Hi, I am fairly new to jazz vinyl collecting and listening. I have been drawn to the 50’s and 60’s jazz and LOVE your site. Unfortunately so much of this vintage jazz is way out of my budget. I have been buying when and what I can afford. Wanted to share this: This past weekend I was in a vintage shop with my wife and wasn’t sure I would find anything. In the back was a small box with some records. I start flipping through them like I always do when I find records in vintage/antique shops. I run across a Donald Byrd – Royal Flush BLP 4101 original pressing. The vinyl itself is VG in appearance, plays somewhere between VG and VG+ and the cover is VG+. The price on the album was $10. I was elated and couldn’t get the money out of my wallet fast enough! Hope I didn’t bore you. Thanks for your site and keep the posts coming as it is helpful in my jazz education!”

I’m on some mailing promotional lists, although nobody really sends me promo records anymore, with some rare exceptions. Mosaic was nice to me at one point, but I think they didn’t like a review I did on their Rosemary Clooney set, so they stopped returning my calls and emails. I did get a great Monk-Coltrane 3-record set from Craft Recordings but, alas, I put it on my shelf and never reviewed it and now I feel guilty about asking for anything else from their or their publicity agents, who have kept me on their mailing list nonetheless. Which brings me to their latest release, which is the Thelonious Monk Complete 10-inch LP Collection, which is scheduled for release on December 15. This includes all five of Monk’s 10-inch LPs, faithfully reproduced, the promo material says, from the jacket design to the LP labels. This is great music, hey, it’s Monk! Plus, young Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Frank Foster, et al. If you are interested you can pre-order it at Amazon. If you don’t have the originals – or even if you do – this is probably a worthwhile addition to your collection. I may even have to spring for a copy myself.

A reader sent me the following link with the following note: “Looks like Savoy is getting in on the action.” The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra, Savoy 12169. This was an original pressing with the blood red label. The record and cover were both listed in M- condition. The final price was $761.11. I am not very familiar with the Sun Ra discography, but I take it this is quite rare. How is the music?

I am not a Sun Ra aficionado but our friend Michael sent me this link because it is assuredly of interest to those who are: Sun Ra, Secrets of the Sun, Saturn 9954. Michael’s note indicates that this may be a one-of-a-kind orange vinyl pressing. Can anyone confirm that? It sounds like it’s in pretty bad condition with constant surface noise and at least one skip. Considering that it has a plain generic cover, my guess is that the buyer may want this copy to put in a frame and not on a turntable. So far the bidding is at $545 and there are more than three days to go. We’ll see what happens.

While we’re on Mobley, there is also: Hank Mobley Sextet, Blue Note 1560. This is an original pressing with the West 63rd Street address, deep grooves, Van Gelder, ear, etc. This one is listed in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The start price is $1,250, but so far there are no bidders.  This seller has three other records on eBay now, all with starting prices of more than $1,000, all with zero bids as of now. One more, for the record: Bill Evans, Waltz For Debby, Riverside RS 9399. This is an original black label stereo pressing. It is listed in M- condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. The start price is $1,100.

Here’s one from our friends at Funkyousounds: Walter Bishop Jr., Speak Low, Jazztime 002. This is an original pressing in VG++ condition for the record and only VG- for the cover. The bidding is in the $200 range and there are still three days left on the auction.

That Sun Ra Transition acetate we mentioned last week is back, this time at a much more reasonable price clearly designed to sell — and it will because there is no reserve. The bidding is in the $360 range and there are about a dozen bidders I can identify. The auction closes Sunday night. It’ll be interesting to see what this one sells for.