Popular Melodies for Violin and Piano, Series 3 Appraisal
Category: Sheet Music
Description
The item is a piece of vintage sheet music titled "Popular Melodies for Violin and Piano" arranged in an "Easy, Attractive Style." It is part of "Series 3" and also features the Spanish translation "Melodias Populares, Violin y Piano." The cover is made of aged paper that shows signs of wear, including creasing, particularly around the edges and corners. The paper exhibits a general patina consistent with age, appearing slightly yellowed or browned. Visually, the sheet music cover is designed with an illustrated border along the left side and bottom. This border depicts a stylized landscape with trees, hills, and sky, rendered in a muted green and brown color palette against a cream background. The title text is printed in a decorative font. A small box in the upper left corner contains the text "MCKINLEY WORLD FAMOUS EDITION PRICE GO CENTS". In the bottom right corner, the publisher's information is prominently displayed in a framed box: "MCKINLEY Music Co. CHICAGO NEW YORK. Printed in the USA." The center section lists the contents of the series, divided into "Violin Solo and Piano" and "One or Two Violins and Piano" sections, with the titles and composers/arrangers of several musical pieces. The condition suggests it has been handled and stored over time, but there are no immediately visible tears or significant damage, although the binding or spine area (if it has one) is not fully viewable. The printing appears clear despite the age of the paper. The style of illustration and typography suggests it is likely from the early to mid-20th century.
Appraisal Report
Based on my visual examination of the image provided, this vintage sheet music for "Popular Melodies for Violin and Piano, Series 3" appears consistent with typical examples from the early to mid-20th century published by McKinley Music Co. The cover design, typography, and "Printed in the USA" designation support this estimation. The condition is fair; the paper shows significant signs of age with creasing and yellowing, particularly around the edges. However, there are no obvious tears or major damage visible, and the printing remains legible. This is a mass-produced item of its era, and while vintage sheet music is collectible, its value is generally modest unless it is exceptionally rare, signed, or associated with a significant historical figure or composition. This particular series and publisher are relatively common. Demand for general vintage sheet music like this is driven by musicians, collectors, and those interested in historical ephemera, but it is not typically high enough to command significant prices unless in near-mint condition or containing highly desirable content (e.g., a famous or obscure work). Market comparables for similar vintage McKinley sheet music in fair condition typically range in the single to low double digits. Factors impacting value here are solely its age and condition. It is important to note that the authenticity assessment is based entirely on visual cues from the image. A physical examination would allow for a tactile assessment of paper quality, binding integrity, and potential hidden damage or repairs. Provenance documentation (purchase records, original owner information) and scientific testing (like paper analysis) would be required for a definitive authentication of age and origin, though for a commonplace item like this, such measures are usually not warranted given the low market value.
Appraisal Value
$5-15