posted on May 12, 2001 03:37:07 PM
I picked up about 150-200 pieces of sheet music from 1920-1960's: theatre, movies, radio, and tv. Are buyers looking for the art work? Or what? I can see completed prices but need inside dope on how to market. Frinstance, I can see the Fred Astaire sheet music for "..Rio" with Ginger and Delores De Rio, going under movies, instead of sheet music, but would like to hear from you experts in this field. How about Broadway stuff from the 1930's? Thanks in advance.
posted on May 12, 2001 03:55:04 PM
It'll sure sell, but it usually has to be very crisp and clean to bring a lot of interest. Scribbles and creases? May be a tough sell unless a really desirable piece.
Old movies/Broadway can be good. Some of the 60's stuff can be good as well. Theme songs to popular movies that featured big stars can be good. This type is not always collected for the artwork, but IMO, more for the stars that were associated with the movie. For instance, if the song were from a Steve McQueen movie, you'd sure want Steve McQueen in the title. Of course look for early Rock n Roll too (Elvis, Everly Bros, Little Richard, etc.)
Not too long ago the most I had ever gotten for a pice of sheet music was $12, but I blew that out of the water with some early 1900's music that I found a while back. One piece alone brought an amazing $134 and another $79. This music definitely sold for the artwork.
[ edited by loosecannon on May 12, 2001 04:05 PM ]
posted on May 12, 2001 05:45:39 PM
Definitely, interesting and colorful artwork helps . . . anything Art Deco in there? Sometimes those movie ones aren't terribly popular and you may do better to sell them as a lot -- you might continue to check prices on completed items to gauge how much interest there is in specific titles.
Patriotic themes can do very well, turn-of-the-century Black Americana/ Ragtime themes can do well.
Edited to add: UKULELE sheet music and books seem to be popular on ebay.
[ edited by Lisa_B on May 12, 2001 05:46 PM ]
posted on May 12, 2001 05:58:53 PM
I did very well a while back with some black gospel sheet music - there are collectors out there in that genre.
There are also songs that were written for The Johnstown Flood. They are highly valued by the collectors around here.
I listed one of the sheets that had a rubber stamp on it for the store who sold it as a collectible for that town. It brought a decent price - I think that brought extra bids in.
I'mn sorry I can't be of more help to you but it is not a category I normally list in.
posted on May 12, 2001 06:48:51 PM
I'm in the same boat (a big box of terrific old sheet music, much of which has neat artwork on the cover and all is in good to excellent condition).
I've listed some in the music categories, but if I want to get the attention of art collections (or poster people, etc.), what is a good category to list them in for art and not music?
I have had good luck selling "sets" of music with a theme. I had a bunch of WWI music, which did well, sold in batches of 4-6 pieces. Also found several about nurses, which went well. But I've still got lots of it left and would like to attract the art bidders too.
posted on May 13, 2001 06:43:59 AM
Thanks for responses. There are 1930's Blues with Mildred Bailey (?), a lot of Hoagy Carmichael, Finian's Rainbow, Sammy Kaye,obscure 1920's Broadway stuff, Frankie Laine, Nature Boy with artist and writer pics. Yes, a few art deco covers also. The box was moldy smelling so I transferred to a clean box with a bag of charcoal. I suppose all pencil writings on cover, inside, rips, tears, etc. must be scrupulously described? Best to bunch up in groups?
posted on May 13, 2001 08:47:42 AM
Yes, you need to describe the flaws such as creases, tears, scribbles, etc. Also, make sure that the music is complete. Some had an inside page (or two or three) that could be easily separated from the cover since single pieces of music never were stapled.
Don't think that every piece of sheet music that isn't near perfect is worthless though. I got $79 for one that had a small piece of the corner of the cover missing, but was otherwise good.
I'd list the most interesting pieces singly. Especially that blues piece.
