Fifty Favorite Airs for Violin and Piano Sheet Music (Featuring 'Alice, Where Art Thou?' and 'America') Appraisal
Category: Sheet Music
Description
The item is a piece of printed sheet music, likely part of a larger collection or book. The visible page is made of aged paper, exhibiting a yellowed and somewhat brittle appearance indicative of age. The text is printed in black ink. The top of the page features the title "Fifty Favorite Airs for Violin and Piano" and beneath that, "VIOLIN." Below this, the specific pieces of music are listed: "ALICE, WHERE ART THOU?" attributed to Joseph Ascher and arranged by Karl Rissland, followed by musical notation. Further down is the piece "AMERICA" attributed to Henry Carey and also arranged by Karl Rissland, with corresponding musical notation. There is a visible "Copyright 1925 by Oliver Ditson Company" marking at the bottom of the page. The edges of the page appear worn and somewhat tattered, particularly on the right side. The paper shows signs of creasing and handling. There are two large "X" markings in pencil or similar marking instrument on the page, one above "ALICE, WHERE ART THOU?" and another above "AMERICA." These markings suggest the pieces might have been played or marked for some purpose by a previous owner. The overall condition indicates significant age and use, with the paper's color and texture the most prominent indicators of its vintage and condition.
Appraisal Report
I have examined the provided image of a page from "Fifty Favorite Airs for Violin and Piano Sheet Music," specifically featuring 'Alice, Where Art Thou?' and 'America.' Based on the visible evidence, this is a printed sheet music page from a collection published in 1925, as indicated by the copyright notice. The paper exhibits significant aging, including yellowing, ब्रिटleness, and wear along the edges, consistent with its age and use. Creasing and handling marks are apparent, and the presence of large "X" marks in pencil suggests prior use by a musician. The overall condition is fair to poor due to the significant wear and potential brittleness. The authenticity as a 1925 publication by Oliver Ditson Company appears likely based on the copyright information. However, without physical examination, I cannot definitively confirm the paper type, printing method, or rule out later reprints. In-person examination would allow for a more thorough assessment of the paper's composition, ink type, and printing process, which could further validate the publication date and authenticity. Provenance documentation, if available, tracing the ownership history would also significantly enhance authenticity verification. Sheet music from this era and in this condition is generally a common collectible. Collections of popular airs were widely published, and while specific pieces might have sentimental value, the intrinsic market value is typically low unless the collection is rare, signed, or from a historically significant individual. Demand for common sheet music in this condition is limited, primarily appealing to musicians or historical music enthusiasts seeking playable versions of these pieces. Factors negatively impacting value include the condition (worn, marked, potentially brittle) and the non-rarity of the material. Comparables in similar condition typically sell for modest amounts. A complete collection book would command a higher price than a single page, but even full books from this period often sell for under $20. The condition significantly reduces the value of this individual page. Therefore, based on my visual examination and understanding of the market for vintage sheet music in this condition, the value is primarily sentimental and not market-driven. In-person examination, provenance, or scientific testing would be required for full authentication beyond the visible evidence.
Appraisal Value
$1 - $3