Collecting Vintage Sheet Music
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Today I want to share a selection of vintage sheet music that I picked up at an estate sale a long time ago for 25¢ each. I finally got around to researching some values, using the tried and true eBay “sold” listings and my new favorite research tool, WorthPoint.
So, I think this 1933 copy of Stormy Weather, sung by Ethyl Waters at the Cotton Club, is my favorite. I love the jazzy image and typography. It may also be the most valuable piece that I have to show you, worth perhaps $30-40.00. I’m not completely sure, so I’ll have to do some more research.
Companies on “Tin Pan Alley” in NYC produced sheet music in enormous quantities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thererfore, much of what you find out in the “wild” does not have a great value. Most pieces are worth just $3-5 dollars. However, some music, produced in low quantities, with great graphics, and in excellent condition, may be worth more.
I selected this 1948 piece, when making my choices at the estate sale, because in general, anything Walt Disney tends to have value. Even though Disney produced many, many pieces of music from the animated Cinderella, this one may be worth $5-10.00. [Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo is one of my favorites 🙂 ]
Collectors have found many ways to bring focus to their collections, for example, by concentrating on Disney animated features. Other focuses include by theme (baseball or military), by composer (Gershwin or Copeland), by style (jazz or show tunes), or by vocalist (Ethyl Waters or Nat King Cole).
Kiss Me Kate (1948), while a wildly popular show, led to the printing of such a large quantity of sheet music for songs like, “Always True to You in My Fashion,” that their value is fairly low, $5-6.00.
I felt certain when I picked this 1939 version of the childhood favorite, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, that I’d hit the jackpot; however, as with many other perennial favorites, they were produced in the hundreds of thousands of copies. If in excellent condition, it might be worth $7-14.00.
Like many surviving pieces of sheet music, this one is not in perfect condition. The outer spine is split about half-way up. Unlike other collectibles, however, where near-perfect condition is expected, sheet music collectors tend to be more forgiving. The music was produced, of course, for regular use and as a result often appears, well, used. It can nonetheless be desirable.
By now, you may have noticed a pink theme–I am a pink-lover, so that may have influenced some of my choices, LOL. This piece, “Almost Like Being in Love,” from Brigadoon, a very popular Broadway show, dates to 1957 and may be worth up to $8.00 or $10.00.
I took a risk picking up this 1950 era accordion music, because sometimes odd, obscure things can be valuable. No, not really in this case. While it might be slightly more valuable than the “average” sheet music value of $3-5.00, not by much.
Honestly, I picked up this piece dating to 1910 because of the title, “I’m Falling in Love with Someone,” thinking it might be perfect for some future altered art project, which is where it will likely end up since it does not seem to have a lot of value.
“Blue Shadows on the Trail” is another piece I selected because it was produced by Walt Disney. It may be worth $6-10.00, in part off because it offers “cross-over” appeal since a Disney collector could be interested in it, even though sheet music might not be their primary area of interest.
Another of my favorites, this 1953 piece, “Where is Your Heart,” from the show Moulin Rouge, has striking black on red graphics and interesting imagery. Unfortunately, enough copies have survived to make it worth no more than $3-5.00.
All of the sheet music you’ve seen in this post measures approximately 9″ x 12,” which informs us that they were printed after WWI. Music measuring 11″ x 14″ indicates production prior to WWI and 5″ x 7″, during WWII (as a paper saving measure). While size doesn’t necessarily relate to value, it can help with dating.
Other than safely storing your sheet music collection in some sort of protective binder, how can these little works of art be displayed?
Framing is always a good choice, as I did with my favorite piece, particularly if hung out of direct sunlight. A series framed in gold or black would make a fantastic gallery wall, wouldn’t it? UPDATE: It sold for $18 from my antique booth.
Pieces in poor condition could be used in mixed media art projects, as I plan to use “I’m Falling in Love with Somebody.” And I’ve seen decorators use less valuable pieces to “wall paper” a bathroom or small office for an unique look.
Truly valuable pieces from the early 20th century, produced on wood pulp paper, may need to be stored in acid free boxes in order to offer the best protection, but that doesn’t offer much opportunity for enjoyment.
I collect in order to display or decorate with pieces I love, not to shove them in a box and store them in the attic. Am I right?!!
Finally, here’s a great article with loads of in depth info about sheet music.
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I am new to your post and just love it. I enjoy going to various sales and a lot of times I wish I knew more about the pieces so I could shop wisely. My husband and I do some resaling and it’s always good to be a little knowledgeable. You touch on a variety of items and always have interesting info that teaches me to know what I’m looking at as well as price value. Like this post talking about the size of the sheet music being a big clue as to when it was produced. I never would have connected with that on my own. Thank you for instructing in a fun way.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying my blog, Sharon! That puts a smile on my face, for sure 🙂 It blesses me to know that some of my knowledge and research is helpful to others, like you. Thanks for chatting–
The sheet music is so fun. Typically at an estate sale I pass it by, because most of it is not old and has no delicious graphic appeal like the ones you chose. I found myself singing in my head as I read through the post. My mother was a big musical play fan and we had all the albums. This is great information and you have brought a lot of good information to the table. Thanks for the Monday morning pick me up.
I love that you were singing along in your head, Laura! That means it was a “happy” post, right? I’m a musical lover, too, having acted in several in high school, and with a sweet daughter who’s a musical theater major 🙂 Glad I could contribute to the good start of a Monday morning–
What a timely post! I purchased a lot of sheet music in an online estate auction and picked it up a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t gone through it yet, but I am excited to do so now! I only bought it because it was inexpensive and I figured, if nothing else, it would make good project material.
What crazy timing! Would love to hear more about your collection after you’ve had a chance to go through it 🙂 I agree, the pieces that don’t have a lot of value can be used in all sorts of different projects–
Wow, these are fabulous. I’m amazed that they aren’t worth more. I can see that Ethel Waters matted in black as a statement piece to a ‘fan’ of that period. The graphics and type styles chosen on these make them very desirable. But, then, I just love anything with ‘style’. Great choices!
So glad you enjoyed the post, Sandi 🙂
Another thing I have never collected! I did not appreciate my late mother-in-law’s collection! I love them framed; would be a great gallery wall.I am definitely resenting the fact that in my open concept house, I don’t have enough walls!!! My mom had an alarm clock similar to yours and wound it religiously every night! I love old show tune records for housework music; how can you NOT feel upbeat when dusting/vacuuming to Mame, Oklahoma, etc.? Specially when music is louder than the central vac!
My house is pretty open, too, Kathy, and I’m always wishing for more walls to hang things 🙂
What a great idea–housecleaning to show tunes!! You always make me smile with your comments–
That’s interesting Diana. I run across old sheet music from time to time & usually sell it in lots. I’m surprised to find the single copies have that much value. I’m going to start taking a new look from now on. Like you, I find the covers and graphics fascinating. It’s so unfortunate that so much of it is in bad shape.
It was never made to last and was handled so much, I guess it’s no surprise that it hasn’t fared very well. I haven’t sold a lot of sheet music myself, Florence. Today’s post was a combo of my personal knowledge, along with checking out what sold on eBay and WorthPoint. Time will tell…
Great post. You are reminding me that I have a stash of old sheet music somewhere!
Ooh, you’ll have to go dig it out and see what you find, Karen!
You always give us such good information on a variety of things—Thank You.
You’re very welcome, Vikki! I’m so glad you enjoy my blog 🙂
My mother has a box of old sheet music that was once her aunts. I have told her it is what I want to inherit!
That’s so neat, Rose! What a treasure 🙂
The sheet music is fun to look at. I used to have quite a stash of it from my grandparents. I inherited it with the old “music cabinet” that came with the upright piano that was theirs. Currently, I don’t seem to be able to find only a few pieces. It used to all reside within the music cabinet, so I guess I’ll have to start a search of my house!
I like the pink Cotton Club Parade piece that you framed. Also the idea to make a display wall with several of them.
Thanks for the info on this piece of the past.
Have a great week!
You’ve made me feel so much better about the myriad of things I cannot put my hands on, Naomi!! They are “somewhere.”
So glad you enjoyed the post!
What a great collection of sheet music! Love the idea of framing it. I have a few old pieces that might just be worth something now that I’ve read this:) Thanks for the tips and thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen
This is how I find other people with my passion. I picked up some framed “magazine covers;” however, the owners didn’t know that they were actually antique sheet music!
I bought them for the frames, but love them for the artwork. The early lithography and themes are indeed frame worthy.
The pick of the bunch were pre-war large size covers from 1913 to 1917. The art deco style and graphics are delightful.
I picked your blog as it mentioned the Adirondacks. I’m nearby so it would be great to meet at a show or at a sale to say hello !
Hi Chuck! Thanks for sharing your interesting story about the framed sheet music. Sounds like you got a great deal and you certainly have fallen in love with them. It would be fun to meet up someday at an event once they start happening again 🙂