Tuck Me To Sleep In My Old Tucky Home Sheet Music Appraisal
Category: Sheet Music
Description
This is a piece of sheet music titled "Tuck Me To Sleep In My Old Tucky Home". The cover features typography in an orange rectangular banner at the top, stating the title. Below the banner, the artwork depicts a dark blue night sky with a large, bright orange moon illuminating a silhouetted house with lit windows and trees. The lower right portion of the cover lists the words by Joe Young and Sam. M. Lewis, described as the writers of "My Mammy". The music is attributed to Geo. W. Meyer. At the bottom of the cover, within a rectangular border, is the publisher information: Irving Berlin, Inc., Music Publishers, 1607 Broadway, New York. The cover is made of paper and appears to be a standard size for sheet music, likely around 9x12 inches, though exact dimensions are not available from the image. The colors are vibrant in the illustration despite the age. There are visible condition issues including some staining on the right side above the publisher information and some wear along the edges, particularly on the top right corner where a small tear or fold is present. The paper stock appears somewhat aged, with potential discoloration. The bottom edge features the small text "PRINTED IN U.S.A.". Based on the style of the illustration and the names of the songwriters and publisher, this sheet music likely dates from the early to mid-20th century, a common period for popular songs to be published in this format. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures on the front cover beyond the listed names and publisher. The overall quality aligns with typical mass-produced sheet music of the era.
Appraisal Report
I have examined the image of the sheet music for "Tuck Me To Sleep In My Old Tucky Home". Based on the visual characteristics, including the publisher "Irving Berlin, Inc.", the names of the lyricists (known for "My Mammy"), and the style of illustration and typography, this appears to be an original printing from the early 20th century. The condition presents with visible staining on the right side, wear along the edges, and a small tear or fold on the top right corner. The paper shows signs of age discoloration. While the artwork colors are still vibrant for its age, these condition issues detract from the overall value. This is a relatively common piece of sheet music from the era, with moderate demand among collectors of vintage sheet music and Tin Pan Alley era memorabilia. Comparables in good to very good condition typically sell in the $5 to $15 range. Due to the noted condition issues, the value is lower. Without in-person examination, it is impossible to definitively confirm the authenticity of the paper, printing process, and age. Physical inspection would allow for closer examination of paper type, printing details, and potential watermarks or publisher codes not visible in the image. Provenance documentation, such as original purchase records or history of ownership, would further aid in authentication.
Appraisal Value
$3-7