"Three Little Pigs."

A genuine Victorian music sheet with an illustrated cover, published in London by Patey & Willis, Marlborough St., London.

A genuine antique Victorian music sheet thought to have been published in 1870. 

A scarce "Author's Edition with extra verse."

The author is Alfred Scott Gatty, and the piece, a strange children's nonsense song in which pigs die because they can't say "Umph! Umph! Umph!"! The extra verse is an encore verse found in the text at the back (see photo).

Alfred Scott Gatty (1847 - 1918) was an interesting character. An amateur composer, much of his work being aimed at children. It was popular in its day. He was also an important figure in Heraldric matters, being an Officer at the London College of Arms, the Rouge Dragon Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary to be precise!

Size and number of pages: the sheet measures approx. 35.5cms x 26cms. A complete copy with 5 pages.

Condition: A scrappy copy, with old sellotape marks and some stains. Front cover with diagonal crease. But it has received some careful, neat restoration work, and it is complete with the music.  Please study the photographs.

There are, in my view, a number of reasons for valuing Illustrated Music Sheets. They are often of historical interest, marking special events, or illustrating historical figures. They may be of topographical interest. They may give an insight into Victorian values, often the humour of the time, or perhaps simply the fashions and designs found in their houses and clothing. Music illustration was always at the forefront of advances in publishing, and the covers are therefore of interest too in seeing the development of colour printing, as well as typographic and layout fashions. Sometimes, even the music is of interest! I will be offering a huge collection on ebay. Please see my other items.

Postage: unfortunately, most music sheets are just too large for 'Large Letter' prices. So £4.05 within the UK. £13.00 to Europe, £22.00 to USA, etc. I will always combine shipping costs for more than one item purchased. Please purchase the items you want, but delay paying for them. I can then adjust the invoice accordingly. If you do pay for them, I can always refund any excess.

I have other antique items in my ebay shop - antique art, prints, music, maps, books etc. Please see my other items.