575 Song Hits (American Book 144) featuring Dick Powell
Ephemera, music songbook/periodic publication and offset print on paper • American Book Company (Publisher); cover photograph featuring actor/singer Dick Powell
Style & Movement
Mid-1930s American Commercial Graphic Design / Art Deco influence
Medium & Technique
Letterpress and halftone offset lithography on low-grade acidic newsprint/paper stock
Creation Period
Circa 1936 (based on the release date of the film 'The Music Goes Round')
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9 x 12 inches; Vertical/Portrait format
Subject Description
Promotional songbook cover featuring a portrait of entertainer Dick Powell. Includes song titles from the 1936 Columbia Pictures film 'The Music Goes 'Round' such as 'Life Begins When You're In Love' and 'Susannah'. The layout is typographical with a focus on radio, stage, and screen hits of the era.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Poor to Fair; Significant physical deterioration visible
Estimated Market Value
$10 - $25 USD
Auction Estimate
$5 - $15 USD
Provenance History
Likely a mass-market retail purchase from the 1930s; currently held in a private collection. Noted as 'American Book 144' indicating a serial publication history.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of Great Depression-era pop culture and the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood musicals. It documents the transition of music from sheet music sales to radio and cinema promotion, and serves as a record of Dick Powell's career trajectory as a crooner.
Notable Features
Features the 10-cent original price point and specific song lists from a 1936 film; the halftone portrait of Dick Powell is a primary visual focal point.
Condition Issues
Severe edge loss (chipping) on the left margin, brittleness, overall yellowing (oxidation) characteristic of acidic wood-pulp paper, and small tears.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in an acid-free, buffered archival sleeve with a backing board. Keep away from direct UV light and high humidity to prevent further crumbling of the paper fibers.