Hans Sitt - 20 Etudes for Violin, Op. 31, Book III Appraisal
Category: Sheet Music
Description
This item is a piece of antique sheet music titled "20 Etudes for Violin with Changes of Position" by Hans Sitt, designated as Op. 31, Book III. It is part of the "Edition Wood." The cover page is made of aged paper, exhibiting a consistent, light-brown patina indicative of its age. The paper shows signs of wear around the edges and corners, including some minor tears and creases. There is a vertical fold line down the center, suggesting it was likely folded for storage. The text is printed in black ink with various font styles, including a large, bold font for the composer's name, "HANS SITT." A decorative border frames the title information on the cover. The publisher information is clearly printed at the bottom: "Fred. C. Meyer & Co., 1219 Arch Street, Philadelphia Pa." The price of "75 Cents" is printed in the upper right corner. The overall condition is consistent with significant age and use. There are no visible rips or major damage documented here beyond the expected wear for a paper item of this age. No internal pages are visible to assess their condition or content.
Appraisal Report
Based on my visual examination of the provided image of the Hans Sitt - 20 Etudes for Violin, Op. 31, Book III, Edition Wood, published by Fred. C. Meyer & Co., Philadelphia, the item appears to be an authentic piece of antique sheet music. The cover exhibits a consistent patination, edge wear, minor tears, creases, and a central fold consistent with significant age and use. The typography, publisher imprint, and listed price (75 Cents) are indicative of late 19th or early 20th-century printing practices for this type of publication. The wear aligns with what one would expect from sheet music of this age and intended use. The market for antique sheet music, while niche, has consistent demand, particularly for educational studies by known composers. Hans Sitt is a recognized figure in violin pedagogy. However, Op. 31 is relatively common compared to first editions of major works or rarer manuscripts. Comparable sales of similar educational sheet music from this era typically fall within a modest range unless they are signed, inscribed, or particularly rare editions. Demand is primarily from musicians, collectors of musical Americana, or historical musicologists. This specific edition does not appear to be exceedingly rare. Factors impacting value positively are its apparent authenticity and complete cover. Negative factors are the visible wear and tear, the commonality of the work, and the fact that this is just Book III, not a complete set. The lack of visibility of the internal pages prevents assessment of internal condition, annotations, or completeness, which could significant affect value. It is crucial to note that this appraisal is based solely on visual examination of the external cover via the image. Definitive authentication and condition assessment require in-person inspection to evaluate paper quality, internal page condition, binding integrity, and printing details up close. Provenance documentation detailing the item's history would further enhance a full appraisal.
Appraisal Value
$15-30