Songs and Sheet Music

HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH

So you want to be a Broadway baby? Maybe you are officiallyready for the bright lights flashing on those brilliantly litmarquees that line the streets surrounding Times Square. Or, maybeyou are officially ready to sing out loud somewhere other than inthe shower. On the off chance that you might be willing to consideran old tune to hum, sing, or reminisce by, look no further. We haveyour song right here.

You will simply not believe where I found this song, but I wouldbet that you could find at least one or two yourself! I wasvisiting a friend’s house and glanced down at the piano bench.Staring right back up at me was a copy of Al Jolson’s You Made MeLove You. I couldn’t believe it!

I immediately began to sing out loud: You made me love you. Ididn’t wanna do it. I didn’t wanna do it. Her Pomeranian began tohowl but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. I was in full throttleJudy Garland-Al Jolson-sing-out-loud-bliss mode. My friend beggedme to stop. Okay, so maybe I’m a little tone deaf, but every nowand again a song really needs to be sung!

Having gotten the Pomeranian calmed down, I had to see the rest ofthe collection! Lots of people collect music memorabilia. The pricetags for some of these items, such as a John Lennon lithograph oran Eric Clapton guitar, can be astronomical. It’s important toremember that great collections can affordably be startedsmall.

If you think that you may be interested in starting a musiccollection, check your piano bench for old sheet music. You may beastonished at what you find there. Sheet music is an affordablecollector’s item, can be framed for display, or shared with familyand friends who simply enjoy singing around a piano.

The sheet music for Al Jolson’s You Made Me Love You from 1913 isvalued at about $20. Why bother for $20? Because a collection isabout stuff you love. If you love music, this would truly be awonderful place to start. Add a couple of other tunes — such asThe Trolley Song from the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis, worthabout $25; It Only Happens When I Dance With You from IrvingBerlin’s 1947 film Easter Parade also worth about $20; I’m inthe Mood for Love from the 1935 film Every Night at Eight worthabout $15; and Embraceable You from the 1942 film Girl Crazy,worth about $15 — and for less than $100 you will have a fabulousstarter collection of old film songs.

So, when you feel the need to sing out loud, I say go for it!Collect what you love and when necessary, sing out loud and don’tforget to check what’s hiding inside the piano bench! You neverknow what treasure you might find there!

If you have an item you would like appraised, please submit yourrequest with a picture(s) of the item and some information about itto [email protected] along with your name and contactinformation. Contact information will not be published. Yourappraisal request may be selected as a featured item!

Leslie Drucker is a graduate of New York University’s AppraisalStudies in Fine and Decorative Arts, and is a USPAP (UniformStandards of Professional Appraisal Practice) certified appraiser.She is an Associate with Gramercy Park Estate Liquidation &Appraisal Services, Inc. To reach her directly, call 212-679-3936or email [email protected]

(Please note that appraisal values are opinion statements subjectto varying conditions.)