Sold Date: August 29, 2023
Start Date: August 22, 2023
Final Price: $22.76 (USD)
Bid Count: 11
Seller Feedback: 1370
Buyer Feedback: 0

Here is what once “was” a beautiful record. Let me give you some background. Back around the mid-1990’s, I came across this Blind Lemon Jefferson record in a local antique shop. It was among Doris Day and Harry James records. Can’t tell you how I thrilled I was to find it! Decades later, I found out it was “quite” a collectors item. Was going to put it in an online auction, and try to sell it, when the pandemic put me out of work.

I had it playing on an electric phonograph, on my front porch. My cat was hungry. Wanted to be fed. I brought him his a bowl of food. But, my legs got caught up in the cord of the electric phonograph. The phonograph fell over flat on the porch. And…that was the end of Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “Matchbox Blues,” and “Black Snake Moan.” Suffice it say, I was very sad. The chances of me “ever” finding another copy are slim to none.

This was an important recording in that it had a major influence on the development of rock and roll. I enjoyed listening to my copy for years. I didn’t have the heart to throw the pieces in the trash. For, this felt sort of like a “holy relic.” So, I held onto the pieces for the past three years. It is, after all, a pre-wars blues artifact. Emphasis on “artifact,” not something to enjoy anymore. However, a fellow collector told me to put it on eBay, as is. That somebody “might” want to glue it back together…and put it in a picture frame. Though it’s in pieces, it’s still an “original” Blind Lemon Jefferson recording from 1927.

Jefferson died not long after, in 1929. He recorded a song about “keeping his grave clean.” Buying these shards of this famous influential recording, and somehow framing it, giving it a place of honor, maybe, somehow, would “keep his grave clean.” I’m so sorry for myself this ever happened. It’s a record collectors worse nightmare. But bid on it “as is”…and “keep Blind Lemon Jefferson’s grave clean.”

As you can see, the record is in “poor” condition, and unplayable, and in pieces. One small chip in the middle is missing. I have no idea what happened to it. Anytime you pick up the pieces, a few more tiny pieces of shellac flake off. Why somebody needs to glue and frame it for posterity. It was an “important” historical recording. Regardless of condition, it will be packed for safe shipping. Just know, that this record will come in bubble wrapped pieces. But it “will” be safely packed.

Starting with a low bid here. Bid with confidence. My feedback speaks for itself. As forlorn as this object is, I hope it finds a good home in some blues collector’s archives.