Are Blue Note albums so rare....

[michel1969]

Have you noticed those lasts weeks ? There a litterally dozens of originals W63rd, DG, Lex ... Blue Note for auction, even in NM condition. Many of them (and it has been commented here) well and high... But IMO the actual RARITY of 99 % of them (yes, even in NM condition) is more than questionable. Maybe just a seller's marketing trick... I'd say that now collecting Blue Note is just a question of money, not time. Blue Note records are the more common among vintage jazz records. But the most sought after. Any reaction ?

Another question : who are those big bidders who bid more than 1k ? Is there any of them here ? Are you this one ? I have been a heavy bidder - sometimes. Strange experience. I'd like to know the social and economic background. The motivations. Any reaction ?

[Peter A]

Blue Note records fetch high prices because a lot of people want them. It's all a question of supply and demand. Most obvious example is Kind Of Blue: not a rare record at all, there must have been pressed thousands of - now collectable - copies with six-eye labels. But is always sells for $100-$150 (recently even more than $200). So there seems to be a "world market price" for KOB.

I think the fact that many BN records have been offered on Ebay recently, also the ones which are considered as "rare", does not mean that these records are not rare at all. First one should realise that BN records are hardly sold in shops or record fairs anymore. Trade in BN LP's seems to have shifted almost completely to eBay. Also, the fact that certain records fetch high prices, may attract some collectors to sell there own copies. For instance, the last couple of years I have seen perhaps 15 or 20 copies of True Blue being sold on eBay. Does this mean TB is not a rare record at all? I don't think so, it has always been a very sough after record. But it has been sold from places all over the world: the US, France, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands and even Russia!

But it is not only eBay were BN records get high prices. I have sold many BN copies (often copies with little defects after I found a better copy myself) via a record shop of a friend here in Amsterdam. I also put much rarer items in the shop but the Blue Notes always sell!

And to answer your second question: Yes, I have payed many $$$ for jazz records, but never (nearly) 1K. I think the most I have spend on a single record is 400 euro (Candy or J.R. Monterose).

[Dmitry]

Another question : who are those big bidders who bid more than 1k ?

Edited October 9, 2006 by Dmitry

[michel1969]

Good answer ! Anyway, regarding the high level of prices in Japan, for almost everything, (including a pint of beer, especially in downtown Tokyo or Osaka) 1k or 2k are not estimated with the same scale as ours westerners... Recently it seems that US and European bidders have join the herd.

[michel1969]

Trade in BN LP's seems to have shifted almost completely to eBay. Also, the fact that certain records fetch high prices, may attract some collectors to sell there own copies. For instance, the last couple of years I have seen perhaps 15 or 20 copies of True Blue being sold on eBay. Does this mean TB is not a rare record at all? I don't think so, it has always been a very sough after record.

Yes, i should correct the word rare : rare means the number of copies still in existence, and there obviously are few. The best word may be : availability. Because of the many good reason you've stated, True Blue is available 15 or 20 times in two years : Its is considerably more than many other Jazz records.

Regarding Blue Note... i did the same experience. Everything that bears "Blue Note" sells on Ebay.

And to answer to my last question... the most expensive record i paid for was...True Blue

[clifford_thornton]

I stick with my King, Toshiba, Liberty and lower-tier NY USA pressings. They've been issued so many times that for me, it's not worth it to maintain an all-original setup. When you're talking things that were only issued in one form, or at least very few, then I get interested...

[clifford_thornton]

Then again, I suppose there were a number of early BNs that weren't reissued until King came along...

[brownie]

Then again, I suppose there were a number of early BNs that weren't reissued until King came along...

Most of the BN catalogue was still available thru the '70s. Piles ot BN vinyls - reprints mostly, not the real originals ones - ended up in shops were they were being sold for a few dollars.

[andybleaden]

I gave up the vinyl habit, regrets - sure! plenty but could not afford the vinyl and some was not so good quality ...with cds I get what I need, which is to listen to the Blue Notes.

I now get to fuss over whether I want em remixed or not!

Heavens- the choice!

[michel1969]

Then again, I suppose there were a number of early BNs that weren't reissued until King came along...

Most of the BN catalogue was still available thru the '70s. Piles ot BN vinyls - reprints mostly, not the real originals ones - ended up in shops were they were being sold for a few dollars.

Absolutely - and even original pressings would sell for low prices until the Japanese collectors start to pay high (middle of 80's ? don't exactly know).

[jbs-tom]

blue note originals in MONO and in NEAR MINT (really near mint) are rare - these issues are getting more and more expansive - all others will not rise in value but getting cheaper or stay the same level (incl japan toshiba ! issues, stereo issues of new york, liberty and of course all united artists pressings!

[michel1969]

blue note originals in MONO and in NEAR MINT (really near mint) are rare - these issues are getting more and more expansive - all others will not rise in value but getting cheaper or stay the same level (incl japan toshiba ! issues, stereo issues of new york, liberty and of course all united artists pressings!

And do you think that BN original mono value will decrease in the future ? Not impossible. It has been said , for example that the "pre CBS" (1954-1965) Fender Stratocaster guitars, that now sells for 35/40K, are collected mainly by wealthy baby boomers. And that next generation will not pay any attention on vintage guitars from this era. Will this apply to vintage records ?

[andybleaden]

ah but is it only the 'oldies' that are investing in old pressings. The better question is to ask why are they doing it.......

Vinyl quality - only arguable with nm copies for this age?

reminiscence - likely?

Profiteering - also likely?

stamp collecting - cynical but also possible

With the introduction of auction sites the I want it, and can get it NOW factor has been a big assistance.

10 years ago finding older Blue Notes for me was very very hard, even finding vinyl of any variety was hard enough on Blue Note ( where I live here in North of the UK) However with ebay came an opportunity to find and actually get what I wanted. I saw this as an opportunity to sell as I knew otherwise it would be too easily an opportunity to BUY * (likes a lordy that would have got me shot!) -So I off loaded (made a small mint- told here often enough YAWN! but do not regret it as I wathced and drooled as more and more vinyl became available.

My only pleasure is know helping others find rare records- knowing the pleasure that gives all around.

A small aside was that I had a nervous wobble a few years ago when i saw for sale a nice collection on vinyl of nearly all the 1500 series from Japan which I could have afforded and a nice (ish) turntable with the new project turntables- I lined up the cash, made the decision and then lined a friend up with it who was in heaven .

I deserve a reward ( I sulked for weeks) but a friend here at the same time lined me up with a long sought after Kenny Burrell record (thanks) and that made it all go away

[michel1969]

Another bunch of "rare" Blue Note this week on Ebay. Mr Japaneses, set you E-Snap on "more than 1 k"

Edited November 6, 2006 by Michel