I love Robert Johnson but I can't see myself dropping $7000 on a 78. It would be very cool to have an original 78 of Johnson but I could buy the double LP complete collection and go buy a ton of other great things with 7 grand.
People collect 78'S for many different reasons.During the late 80's/early 90's,I started collecting.Basically I wanted a Blake and a Patton,my favorites,just to frame and own.You can't choose what songs you like...you just pounce..when you can.At this time,they were affordable,although friends thought me mad to spend ? 100 on a 78. ....However,when I played the 78'S,they seemed far more alive and seemed to suck you into the music,more than Reissued L.P.'S....This was a revelation to me,as I thought they would sound dead....having not been hopped up.It's the same as any collecting community...there are real gentleman,who's passion is only the music and there are others.I had financial problems....wife and kids...and eventually sold mine,only keeping a couple.But it was interesting and fun to collect.I was offered a Robert Johnson back then,for ? 250,but it was more than I could afford...and he's not one of my favorites....ouch.!. Big money,is what it's all about today,and having something nobody else has......Ebay is the bottom of the barrel....good records...fetch many times more....behind closed doors.Many pop stars etc. collect, pushing the prices out of reach of us mere mortals.....very much like the vintage guitar market. The 78 fair at Wimbledon,used to be great...Two Paramounts..Papa Charlie 50 p and Blind Lemon ? 2.50......Times have changed. In a perfect world,and if money was of no concern,I would only play 78's,they sound better to my ears.
There are 21 bids so far on the RJ Item but none on Bo Carter's Pussy Cat Blues/Worried G Blues or Ma Rainey's Log Camp Blues/Hustlin'Blues also listed.
« Last Edit: April 05, 2015, 12:13:57 PM by harry klook »
Holy Moly. Sold for nearly 12,000. I believe the most expensive 78 was Tommy Johnson's ?Alcohol And Jake Blues?/ ?Ridin? Horse? that John Tefteller bought for 37,000.