posted on March 11, 2001 05:50:50 PM
I'm headed to an auction next weekend that lists "tons of sheet music and music books." I've checked out the completed items on e-bay, and it's overwhelming--341 PAGES of sheet music alone in the past month. And--it seems to be a mishmash of what sells--some old, some new, some famous names with high bids and famous names without, etc Any good advice about what to look for?
posted on March 11, 2001 06:16:05 PM
People had a habit of saving sheet music, even after throwing away all the good stuff. I guess because it was easy to store inside the piano seat. But as a result, even 100 year old sheet music can be very common.
Given this, and the fact that the number of people collecting it is not large, you have to very selective. Don't pick up anything that isn't special (i.e. Wizard of OZ tunes from 1939 w. Garland on the cover) or very rare. Look for pleasing graphics on the cover.
I used to sell a bit of sheet music (mainly film scores) and had mixed results. I found that the ones I thought would sell high got few or no bids and pretty ordinary ones (to me that is) fetched some pretty good prices. Who can tell what people will want???
I stopped selling them though as it was too hit & miss for my liking. And as you stated there is HEAPS of listings out there to compete with.
If it's cheap enough though I would give it a try and sell it as a couple of bigger lots rather than individual pieces...
posted on March 12, 2001 02:44:28 AM
I think for a piece to sell for much at all it needs to be in clean, crisp condition unless it were extremely rare. There is too much tattered, fragile, creased, and scribbled on sheet music out there and the really nice condition pieces are harder to find.
A crease, rip or the owner's name written on the cover really devalues it obviously. Make sure each piece you offer for sale is complete! (some had a middle page that could easily get separated).
At an auction they'll probably divide it into stacks and sell choice. Try to get it very cheap because some of it will most likely be worthless.
I disagree with pharlap on selling in lots. I would single out the best pieces.
[ edited by loosecannon on Mar 12, 2001 02:49 AM ]
posted on March 12, 2001 03:51:24 AM
As kathyg mentions, look for pieces with stars on the cover or nice artwork. Also, look for '50s and '60s Rock n Roll sheet music. I had a 1957 Everly Bros. "Bye Bye Love" that did fairly well at $12. That was the most I've ever got for a sheet on ebay or otherwise. Most will go for less. If you're lucky you'll get a few gems in the batch that will make it well worth getting.
posted on March 12, 2001 04:55:33 AM
If there is any specialized music, such as sheet music for accordians, be sure and get that. I made a killing on accordian sheet music about a year ago.
posted on March 13, 2001 07:46:57 PM
As a buyer I would pay top $$$ for old march scores, or any popular music before about 1860. Can't seem to find anything like that on eBay or anywhere else.
