ORBISON, Roy & DEES, Bill. Breakin’ Up Is Breakin’ My Heart (Signed by Roy Orbison)

London: Acuff-Rose Music Ltd., 15 St. George Street, London W.1, c.1961. First UK sheet-music edition. Quarto, 275 × 215mm. Original publisher’s pictorial wrappers, the striking pink and black cover featuring a photographic image of Roy Orbison, with title lettering in bold display type. 2s 6d net as issued. Signed by Roy Orbison on the front cover.

A very good copy, clean and well-preserved, with only light handling wear to the extremities. The title page bears the credit “by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees”. The central bifolium contains the complete vocal score with piano accompaniment and chord symbols. The rear wrapper carries the Acuff-Rose catalogue list of contemporary popular songs, a characteristic and desirable feature of early-1960s British sheet music.

Breakin’ Up Is Breakin’ My Heart was a major international hit for Roy Orbison in 1961, reaching the UK Top 10 and the US Billboard Top 40, and remains one of his most recognisable early compositions. Sheet music for Orbison titles from this period is increasingly scarce, particularly in attractive, unfaded condition with intact covers, and appeals to collectors of rock ’n’ roll ephemera, Orbison memorabilia, and classic Brill Building–era songwriting.

An excellent example of early 1960s British popular-music publishing, visually strong and highly displayable.

[WR music]