I have lots of vintage sheet music! How about you?

Research shows that sheet music produced from the 1890s on featured favorite songs from the stage. Later, movies and radio were the agents to spread popular music even further into American homes.

Many times, performers associated with the original musical presentations were shown on the cover of the music. (See Floyd Cramer with Last Date sheet music in the photo below standing up at the back of booth display.) Many collectors today count this as an important benefit! And if it is autographed, you have a gold mine!

Sheet Music was so popular, many sold more than one million copies when first issued. Collecting Paper by Gene Utz tells us that two million copies were sold of A Bird in a Gilded Cage in 1900.

Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Down By The Old Mill Stream both sold five to six million copies in 1910.

This widespread popularity during the beginning of the 20th Century explains the lower value when collecting. Most vintage sheet music sells between $4-8 each.

There are some names that are in high demand that will bring much more. Anyone know what those titles would be?

For a great online selection of vintage sheet music, go to: Shelly’s Vintage Sheet Music!