Antique & Vintage Music Books

Discover antique and vintage music books at JWB Books, from bound volumes of pianoforte sheet music to composer biographies and jazz histories. Our Poetry Books & Plays collection sits alongside this one if lyrics, plays and poetry are more your thing.

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Antique & Vintage Music Books, From Concert Hall to Ceilidh

“If music be the food of love, play on.”

— William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night

A piece of sheet music was written to be played, not just read. Many of the scores here still carry pencil fingering marks and page-turn notes from whoever sat at the piano before you.

Composer biographies and studies of Bach, Handel and Mendelssohn sit alongside opera scores from Gilbert & Sullivan and Wagner, Highland and Scottish song collections, folk and ballad anthologies, and a run of jazz history covering Count Basie and the big bands. Bound volumes of antique sheet music turn up regularly too, often several pieces gathered into one book by their original owner.

Every book is described and photographed individually, so you can see the binding, the pages and any handwritten notes before you buy. New titles come in with each collection we take on, so it's worth checking back if you don't see a particular composer or genre today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of music books do you stock?

Our range covers classical composers, opera, Highland and folk song collections, and jazz history, plus much more.

Do you have antique sheet music?

Yes, much of it bound into single volumes by an earlier owner, often mixing several pieces together. Each listing describes exactly what's included.

How do you describe the condition of these books?

We photograph each book closely so you can see its binding, pages and wear before you buy. Condition varies from book to book, and anything worth knowing is noted in the listing.

Would a music book make a good gift?

Yes, for anyone who loves music, a well-chosen score or biography is a gift with real personality. Our Music, Poetry & Plays Book Gifts collection has ideas already picked out.

Do you have Scottish or Highland music books?

Yes, Highland song collections and bagpipe music turn up often in this collection. For Scottish history and other Scottish subjects beyond music, our Scottish Books collection is worth a look too.

Do you have jazz books?

Yes, including histories of the big bands and profiles of individual musicians, search or browse to see what's currently in stock.

What age are the books in this collection?

Most range from Victorian sheet music through to music history written in the late 20th century. Each listing gives the actual publication date.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, both across the UK and further afield, with free UK delivery on orders over £50.

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