Faugh-A-Ballagh Sheet Music Appraisal
Category: Musical Paper Ephemera
Description
This item is a piece of sheet music titled "Faugh-A-Ballagh." The cover of the sheet music is made of thin paper and features a colorful illustration. The title is prominently displayed vertically on the left side in large black lettering with a yellow outline. Directly to the right of the title are the names "Abe Olman," identified as the composer, and "Ed. Rove," who is likely associated with the lyrics or arrangement, although the text is partially obscured. Below these names, in smaller text, is "BLANCHE RING'S" and "'WHAT NEXT'" in larger red letters, suggesting this song was performed by orfeatured in a production involving Blanche Ring. The central part of the cover features an oval portrait of a woman, likely Blanche Ring, against a blue background. She is wearing a light-colored dress and a pearl necklace. The illustration surrounding the portrait depicts soldiers in a battlefield setting, with explosions in the background. The color palette is a mix of blues, yellows, greens, and reds, with significant distressing and discoloration visible. Along the right edge, printed vertically, is "FORSTER MUSIC PUBLISHER INC. CHICAGO," identifying the publisher and location. The physical condition shows significant wear and tear, including creases, wrinkles, discoloration, and small tears around the edges. There are insect or damage marks, particularly visible near the top left corner and along the spine. The paper appears brittle due to age and exposure. The artwork stylings, military imagery, and the identified performer and publisher information suggest this sheet music dates from the early 20th century, likely during or shortly after World War I. The quality of the printed illustration is typical for sheet music covers of this era, showing a relatively simple but effective design to attract buyers. The craftsmanship is basic, indicative of mass-produced printed material rather than fine art.
Appraisal Report
Based on my visual examination of the provided image, this Faugh-A-Ballagh sheet music is a genuine piece of early 20th-century musical paper ephemera. The style of the illustration, typography, publisher (Forster Music Publisher Inc., Chicago), and the association with Blanche Ring, a popular performer of the era, are consistent with items produced during or shortly after World War I. The physical condition is poor, exhibiting significant creases, tears, discoloration, and apparent insect damage, which severely impacts its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. Sheet music from this period, especially featuring well-known performers or with patriotic themes, can have collector interest. However, the poor condition significantly reduces its market value. Comparables for early 20th-century sheet music in good condition featuring similar artists or themes typically sell in the $10-$30 range. Items in poor condition like this generally fetch lower prices, primarily based on the collectibility of the title, composer, or associated performer. Demand is generally modest for common sheet music, increasing for rare titles or those in excellent condition. The significant damage lowers the rarity factor and broad appeal. A key limitation of this appraisal is that authenticity is based solely on visual cues from the image. A physical examination would allow for assessment of paper quality and aging, printing techniques, and a more thorough assessment of the extent and nature of the damage. Provenance documentation detailing the item's history would also enhance authentication and value.
Appraisal Value
$5-15