Sheet Music: A Perfect Day by Carrie Jacobs-Bond Appraisal
Category: Printed Music
Description
This item is a sheet music booklet titled "A Perfect Day," featuring words and music by Carrie Jacobs-Bond. The cover is printed on what appears to be a light beige or cream-colored paper, with a dark brown border. The upper portion of the cover features a colored illustration of a floral arrangement, possibly roses or similar flowers, in soft pink and green tones against a light background with faint scripted text that appears to be handwritten notes. Beneath the illustration is the complete text of the song's lyrics, attributed to Carrie Jacobs-Bond and dated 1909. The lower section of the cover prominently displays the title "A PERFECT DAY" in large, decorative lettering, followed by "Words and Music" and the composer's name, "CARRIE JACOBS-BOND," in stylized script. Below the composer's name are details about the publisher: "Published at / THE BOND SHOP / CARRIE JACOBS-BOND & SON / 728-30 MICHIGAN AVE / CHICAGO". There is also information indicating "Authorized Agents for the British Empire" by "THE FREDERICK HARRIS CO." with addresses in Toronto, Canada and London, England. On the left side, there are options for "High," "Medium," and "Low," possibly indicating vocal range options, with "Medium" marked. The right side has a handwritten notation indicating "Metropolitan Music Co." and an address in Boston, followed by "60 / 2/-Net," likely indicating the price in cents and British pounds. The sheet music shows signs of age, with creases, minor tears along the edges, and some discoloration or foxing on the paper. There are also small pinholes visible, particularly near the bottom right corner. The paper has a slightly worn texture, consistent with vintage paper. The overall craftsmanship appears to be typical of mass-produced sheet music from the early 20th century.
Appraisal Report
I have examined the provided image of the sheet music for "A Perfect Day" by Carrie Jacobs-Bond. This appears to be an original publication from The Bond Shop, published around 1909 based on the date on the cover lyrics. The cover printing, including the illustration and text, is consistent with period mass-produced sheet music. The presence of publisher details and distributor information lends authenticity to it being a genuine issue. The condition is fair to good considering its age. There are clear signs of wear, including creases, minor tears, discoloration (foxing), and pinholes. These condition issues definitely impact the value negatively. Determining full authenticity solely from an image is impossible. A physical examination would allow for assessment of paper quality, print methods in detail, and examination of any watermarks or other subtle indicators. Provenance, such as how the owner acquired it and its history, would further enhance authenticity. "A Perfect Day" was a very popular song, meaning this sheet music was widely distributed. While there is some collector interest in sheet music from notable composers like Carrie Jacobs-Bond, the common nature of this particular piece and its condition detract from its rarity. Comparables for sheet music of this era in similar condition typically range from a few dollars to perhaps $20-30 depending on the specific title and composer's prominence. Given the condition and commonality, its value is primarily as a collectible artifact of popular music history rather than a rare or high-value item.
Appraisal Value
$10-20