A Beautiful Lady in Blue Sheet Music Appraisal
Category: Sheet Music
Description
The item shown is vintage sheet music for the song "A Beautiful Lady in Blue." The front cover features an illustration of a woman in a flowing blue gown against a dark purple background. The title is prominently displayed in a decorative script font. Below the title is what appears to be a signature, "Margaret Bules". Further down, the cover lists the lyricist, Sam M. Lewis, and the composer, J. Fred Coots. The publisher, Chappell, is also indicated with their logo and address information, including RKO Building, Rockefeller Center, New York. There is a red stamp on the right side of the cover, but the text is too blurry to read clearly. The paper appears to be aged, with some discoloration and creasing, suggesting significant handling and potential storage wear. The edges show signs of wear and possibly small tears. The overall condition is consistent with a used piece of sheet music from several decades ago. The style of the illustration and typography suggests the sheet music is likely from the first half of the 20th century, potentially the 1930s or 1940s, aligning with the popularity of the listed lyricist and composer. There are no visible major tears or repairs on the front cover, although the back cover and inside pages are not visible to assess their condition. The sheet music is part of a small stack of similar items shown in the background.
Appraisal Report
Based on my visual examination of the provided image, this vintage sheet music for "A Beautiful Lady in Blue" appears to be authentic to the period, likely from the 1930s or 1940s, considering the artists and publisher. The illustration and typography are consistent with popular music from that era. However, my assessment of authenticity is limited to visual inspection; a physical examination would be necessary to confirm paper type, printing methods, and check for any signs of reproduction. The condition, as observed from the image, shows significant signs of age and use including discoloration, creasing, and edge wear. The blurry red stamp and the signature "Margaret Bules" (if it is a signature) may add some unique character but likely don't significantly impact market value unless somehow tied to a notable individual, which is impossible to determine from the image alone. Vintage sheet music from this period is relatively common, and demand is primarily driven by collectors of specific artists, themes, or eras. While this is a recognizable song, it is not considered exceptionally rare. Market comparables for used sheet music like this typically range from a few dollars to potentially $15-$20 if in much better condition. The condition is a significant factor limiting the value here. To fully appraise this item, I would need a physical examination to assess all pages, confirm authenticity, and investigate the red stamp's nature, if possible. Provenance documentation regarding prior ownership would be beneficial but is not standard for typical sheet music.
Appraisal Value
$5-10