Rag Doll Sheet Music Value Guide

This 1928 sheet music for 'Rag Doll' is a quintessential artifact of the late Jazz Age, composed by the legendary Hollywood songwriter Nacio Herb Brown. It is highly prized by collectors for its vibrant cover art, which exemplifies the sophisticated graphic design trends used by Sherman, Clay & Co. to drive retail sales.

What affects the value of Rag Doll Sheet Music?

• The presence of vibrant, unfaded colors on the illustrated cover art significantly increases market appeal.
• Physical condition, specifically the absence of spine splits, edge tears, or owner signatures in ink.
• Completeness of the folio, including all internal musical notation pages without heavy foxing.
• The historical significance of Nacio Herb Brown as a songwriter, which attracts crossover interest from film music collectors.

How to Identify Rag Doll Sheet Music?

• Verify the 1928 copyright date and the Sherman, Clay & Co. publisher imprint on the front cover.
• Check for the composer credit to Nacio Herb Brown, known for his prolific work in early Hollywood musicals.
• Ensure the cover features the specific stylized illustration associated with the 'Rag Doll' title.
• Confirm the paper stock is consistent with late 1920s production, showing natural age-toning but not modern gloss.

History of Rag Doll Sheet Music

Nacio Herb Brown was an American songwriter who penned many popular tunes for Hollywood musicals in the 1920s and 1930s. 'Rag Doll' was released in 1928, a period when sheet music sales were a significant part of the music industry. The illustrated cover art on such sheet music was often a key factor in attracting buyers, making these pieces highly collectible today as both musical artifacts and examples of early 20th-century graphic design.