Does anyone have a list of what I should look for when buying vintage sheet music?

I have come across a very large collection of sheet music and would like to be a little more informed before making purchases. Some of these items date back as far as the 1910’s up into the 1960’s.

Look for condition – sheets with tears, rips, or dog-ears are not as desirable. Make sure that pages that should be attached to each other are attached.

Look for well known titles.

Look for well known composers. Gershwin, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Rodgers and Hammerstein, etc. are examples from the golden age of songwriting.

Look for sheets that have well known performers pictured on the front, especially if the songs are from early in their career.

Look for copyright date. If there is only one copyright date at the bottom of the page chances are it is the original edition. If anything says revised edition, copyright renewal or has additional copyright dates then it is probably a reprinting – not that it’s bad, especially if you like the music or can’t find any other editions.

If you could find a mint copy of a famous song from the early 1900’s by a famous composer with his or a singers picture on it with the original copyright date, then you would have a nice collector’s piece.

Don’t overlook the unusual items either. I once found a copy of “The Teddy Bear’s Picnic” by Bratton , copyright 1907. Not a well known composer or song but most people have probably heard it at some point in their life especially if they ever watched old cartoons!

Hope this gives you some guidelines. Wish I could be there to look over your shoulder and grab a few gems myself. Have fun.

Musician,composer,teacher.

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