Sweethearts on Parade
Sheet Music, Commercial Lithographic Print on Paper • Cover illustration likely by a staff illustrator for Milton Weil Music Co.; Song written by Charles Newman (Lyrics) and Carmen Lombardo (Music)
Style & Movement
Jazz Age / Art Deco Commercial Illustration
Medium & Technique
Multi-color lithography (red, black, and peach/skin tones) on medium-weight paper stock
Creation Period
1928 (Date of original copyright and publication)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9 x 12 inches; Vertical Portrait format
Subject Description
The composition features a large silhouette of a man with a pipe in the foreground, looking through a multi-paned window at several stylish couples ('sweethearts') strolling in formal attire under draped curtains. The central couple features a woman in a red cloche hat and drop-waist dress characteristic of the late 1920s flapper style.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; Visible edge wear, corner chipping, and a prominent retail stamp on the cover
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $35.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$10.00 - $25.00 USD
Provenance History
Original retail distribution point indicated by a 'Lincoln Music Shop' stamp (423 Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, Wis.); subsequently held in private collections
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of Tin Pan Alley era music publishing. The song was a major hit for Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, later becoming a jazz standard covered by Louis Armstrong and others. This cover captures the transition from 1920s fashion into the more streamlined aesthetic of the early 1930s.
Notable Features
Includes a distinct 'Lincoln Music Shop' purple ink stamp in the center panel, which serves as a historical record of the item's original regional commerce in Milwaukee.
Condition Issues
Minor paper loss at corners, foxing/silvering on the dark black ink areas, small tears at the top edge, and overall yellowing typical of acidic wood-pulp paper from this era.
Conservation Recommendations
Place in an acid-free, archival-quality Mylar sleeve with a 4-ply alkaline-buffered backing board to prevent further brittleness; keep out of direct UV light to prevent fading of the red and peach pigments.