My sister and I were fortunate as kids because our parents were good amateur musicians who, in the days before TV, would often play together as a way to end the evening: our mother on violin, our dad on piano. I have multiple memories of falling asleep on the couch as a child listening to them play the song pictured above. That copy of the sheet music is the actual music they played from: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. It’s one of my favorite covers, not just because of the personal memories, but also its beautiful, period style of graphic design.
|
|
|
|
St. Petersburg seems to be a hotbed of vintage and antique shows and shops…I guess that’s because there’s so many antiques living here (such as myself)! One of my friends haunts these shows even more than I do and she’s kindly picked up copies of vintage sheet music she knew I’d love. The four covers above, There Are Fairies at the Bottom of our Garden, Way Down in Florida – That’s the Place To Be!, Buddha, and Nola were gifts from her. The first one was an amusing favorite of a dear friend; the second has value simply for its appalling lyrics; the third was an acknowledgment of my having taken lay vows as a Buddhist several years ago; and, the last was a piece I’d been looking for for years, a piece that I played constantly as a kid, driving my parents nuts.
The group pictured below, Galway Bay, The Last Round-up, San Antonio Rose, and Mexicali Rose, are more pieces our folks used to play in the evenings. Easy to see where I developed my eclectic musical tastes (or some might say, lack of taste!). I’m sure at least some of these are “collectibles,” but their value to me is entirely personal significance. It is fun, however, to rummage through the bins of vintage music to see how much some copies bring.
|
|
|
|
As we prepare to say goodbye to 2009 and welcome in 2010, here’s the cover of one of my favorite songs when I was a kid (a song that I sang over and over and over, maybe even more times than I sang Fuzzy Wuzzy Wuz a Bear), So Long It’s Been Good To Know Yuh.
Most images link to larger images.
click on larger image for closeup
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Mr. Jones:
I have “inherited” a large box of antique sheet music dating mostly from the 1940s (although some are older and some newer). My mother, now 86, was a torch singer in New York & Philadelphia mostly. My dad (now deceased) was a drummer in the big bands. Some of the music is labeled “advanced musician copy” and most are from musicals during WW2. In some cases, I have the full orchestration.
In any case, I’m not really sure what to do with it. Does is have any value? Are there people who collect these things? Does anyone sing these songs anymore?
Would appreciate any advice.
Many thanks,
Karen
Yes, most definitely there are people who collect that kind of thing so they do have value. I, personally, do not know who deals in those items, but I recommend you contact this person, President of the local Antiquarian Booksellers Association, Michael Slicker, who owns Lighthouse Books, ABAA (1735 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713; 727-822-3278; LighthouseBooksABAA@verizon.net). He would probably know who to direct you to next. It might take a couple more referrals before you connect with the right person, but Michael should be your first call. Best of luck!
Mr. Jones:
In my attempt to ‘surf the net’ about what to do with old/antique/vintage sheet music, I came upon your website and, well, voila — there is your copy of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” which is the same exact piece we have in our house. My mom used to sing it as did my grandmother on Thanksgiving; an apartment chock full of 22 relatives. Perhaps the music was the distraction from people bumping each other in the elbow at the dinner table. But I digress…your site and comments were just delightful. I, too, have boxes full of sheet music too unusual and beautiful to simply recycle. Here’s a crazy thought: has anyone ever thought about framing these treasures and displaying them in some sort of gallery; a sheet music mini-art show? I welcome your response. In the meantime, keep singing…
Sharon Rothenberg
Karen – If you still have the sheet music, I may be interested.
My husband and I were given a small collection of early 1900s sheet music from his grandfather who is a musician in PA. We are looking to sell most of the pieces for him. We have pictures for all the pieces that we have.
I have sheet music name Just A Little Angel (You’re Just As Near To Heaven As You Will Ever Be) by Ted S> Barron and Boyle Woolfolk Coprighted MCMXVII by Metropolis Music Co. Would Like to know its value.
Thank You