How do I Determine the Date of Sheet Music by the Publisher's Address?
The first sheet music was published in 1788, without much in the way of embellishment. With the advent of color lithography in the mid-1800s, attractive and colorful pieces of sheet music became more affordable and widespread among the American populace, who eventually welcomed sheet music's "Golden Age" from about 1890 to about 1920. Though there are ways to approximately date your sheet music based on the size --- if it measures around 11 inches by 14 inches, its vintage is likely pre-1920, whereas if it measures 9 inches by 12 inches, it is most likely post-1920 --- you can date it more closely by using the publisher's address.
Instructions
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Contact the publisher. With only the publisher's name and address, you can do this by mail or you can use an Internet search to find a telephone number.
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When speaking to the publisher, provide as many details about the sheet music as possible. Include a detailed description of the cover art, the size of the paper and so on. If you are contacting the publisher via the postal service, consider including a photograph of the music.
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Close your communication with a polite request for information, as well as a thank you. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the best chance of a response.