What a Girl! What a Night!
Print/Sheet Music Cover; mass-produced commercial lithography on paper • Cover illustration by unknown studio artist for Leo Feist, Inc.; Music and Lyrics by Joe L. Sanders; featured performer Frankie Masters.
Style & Movement
Art Deco / Jazz Age Illustration; characterized by stylized tropical motifs, high contrast silhouettes, and bold typography.
Medium & Technique
Color lithography; multi-stone or multi-plate printing using high-saturation inks characteristic of the late 1920s.
Creation Period
1928 (Date of publication indicated by copyright records for this specific composition)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9 x 12 inches; standard sheet music folio size; portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A romantic tropical evening scene featuring a central palm tree silhouette against a large setting sun. A portrait of a woman in evening attire is featured in the foreground, while a nested inset shows a photographic portrait of bandleader Frankie Masters ('The Singing Director').
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows visible edge wear, minor creasing, and typical age-toning of the paper stock.
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $25.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of a private collection of ephemera or family estate; may contain a merchant stamp from a music store (e.g., 'Al F. Behrens' mark visible on bottom right).
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of American sheet music during the peak of the Jazz Age. Joe L. Sanders was a co-founder of the Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawks Orchestra; this piece reflects the 1920s fascination with 'Exotica' and the transition from silent film era aesthetics to early talking picture/radio star promotion.
Notable Features
Features the 'Leo Feist, Inc.' publisher logo. Includes musical notations for Ukulele and Banjo, reflecting the popular instrumentation of the late 1920s.
Condition Issues
Fraying/chipping at the top and bottom left corners; light foxing/spotting in the 'sky' area; horizontal creasing near the bottom; minor paper oxidation (yellowing).
Conservation Recommendations
Store in an acid-free, archival-quality sleeve with a buffered backing board. Keep away from direct UV light to prevent fading of the purple and red pigments.