The Maple Leaf Rag is, with The Entertainer, Scott Joplin's most well-known piece. The Maple Leaf Rag was actually written and published before The Entertainer (in 1899), with the help of publisher John Stark. Scott Joplin received a one-cent royalty for each sale of the Maple Leaf Rag, giving Joplin a small, but continuous income. The popularity of the Maple Leaf Rag increased slowly, and by 1909 half a million copies had been sold, despite the fact that the Maple Leaf Rag, like most rags, is actually very difficult to play. We recommend that unless you are a seasoned piano-player that you opt for one of the easier Levels of the Maple Leaf Rag.