Sunday, December 28, 2014

Confederate Drum



The drum was found in Blaine, Tennessee, twenty miles east of Knoxville, in a former Confederate camp. Drummer boys on both sides could be as young as nine years old. Drums communicated group activities in camp as well as orders on the march and in battle. At the Battle of Fort Sanders, the youngest person killed was Charles Gardner, a 14-year-old drummer, from the 2nd Michigan.

Source: http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/collections/highlights/

The McClung Museum at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, aims to advance the understanding of natural history and culture through our collections, exhibitions, research, and outreach programming. The McClung Museum, which was opened in 1963, has strong collections in anthropology, archaeology, material and visual culture, and natural history.

Exhibits at the museum showcase the geologic, historical, and artistic past of Tennessee, as well as cultures from around the globe. In doing so, the museum seeks to promote a better understanding and respect for the world’s cultural heritage.

As a part of the university, the McClung supports and participates in the mission to serve the state, region, and nation through scholarship, teaching, artistic creation, professional practice, and public service. The McClung is one of only eighteen museums in Tennessee to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, reflecting the institution’s commitment to excellence.

Wurlitzer Bass Drum, Model 1460



The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company was established in 1856 in Cincinnati, Ohio by Rudolph Wurlitzer (1831–1941), a German immigrant whose family had manufactured and sold musical instruments for over a century before his birth. Wurlitzer’s Catalog Number 118, dated 1921, states that Wurlitzer is the “Largest General Musical House in the World,” and as such, manufactured and sold all types of drums and percussion instruments.



Page 75 of the catalog bears the heading “The Unrivaled Wurlitzer Bass Drums” and includes the Model No. 1460 Bass Drum, a rope-tuned drum available in ten different sizes, ranging from 12 to 14 inches in depth and from 24 to 36 inches in width. The drum was available in either maple or mahogany shells, and it had detachable leather ears with “improved type cord hooks.” Twelve ears, each with a pair of hooks, are shown on the catalog picture.



This 12 x 26-inch drum was part of a collection belonging to Tom Lonardo, Sr., who owned Lonardo Piano Co. in Paris, Tennessee from 1963 to 1991. It features a 3-ply mahogany shell—reinforced inside by two maple hoops—and natural-finished maple counterhoops. Though originally manufactured with twelve leather tuning ears, only eleven decorated, leather tuning ears remain. These ears, in conjunction with the eleven “improved” cord hooks on each side of the drum, provide tension on the rope for tuning the two calfskin heads. Inside, a prominent paper label identifies the maker: “The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. Manufacturers of Drums, Band Instruments. Cincinnati, O. Send for Catalogue.”

Source: Rhythm Discovery Center website at http://rhythmdiscoverycenter.org/onlinecollection/wurlitzer-bass-drum-model-no-1460/.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Early American Patriotic Painted Drum


Early American Patriotic Painted Drum

Lot #: 20
Ca 1795. 15.75" height x 16" diameter. Void of maker's label. Black stenciled letters Liberty and initials AJF. "Chicken head" eagle with patriotic shield. The eagle is clutching a 16-star American flag in one talon and olive branches in the other. Body of drum is secured together at the seam with rivets.
Price Realized $6,325

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/20/early-american-patriotic-painted-drum

Sanford Augustus "Gus" Moeller Wooden Polychrome Painted Field Drum


Sanford Augustus "Gus" Moeller Wooden Polychrome Painted Field Drum

Lot #: 454
Sanford Augustus "Gus" Moeller Wooden Polychrome Painted Field Drum, c. 1957, for the "Sons of the American Legion Post," Manhasset, New York, impressed mark, with a pair of drumsticks, related books and pamphlets.  
Estimate $300-500
Price Realized $356

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/454/sanford-augustus-gus-moeller-wooden-polychrome-painted-field-drum

Union Manufacturing Co. Civil War Eagle Drum


Civil War Era Hand-Painted Drum with Eagle Motif

Lot #: 203
17" width x 14" height. Body of drum with a worn image of an eagle and patriotic shield with motto E. Pluribus Unum in a riband. Label inside drum reads, Drum materials of all kinds major staffs, flag staffs, ornaments, fife and drum sticks. Union Manufacturing Co., West Baltimore St.  Baltimore, M.  
An almost identical drum is located in the Maryland Historical Society was owned by Union drummer boy James W. Sank. It bears a silver plaque that reads, James W. Sank, by the officers and men of Camp A Purnell Legion May 1863. Sank was one of the many young men who were drummers marching beside the ranks and often facing the most fire during battles.
Price Realized $1,725

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/203/civil-war-era-hand-painted-drum-eagle-motif

Third Maine Infantry Regiment Drum


Third Maine Infantry Regiment Drum

Lot #: 202
16" width x 15.25" height. Hand-painted lettering on face of drum forming a circle Third Maine Infantry Reg. Opposite side of drum with large hand painted eagle clutching a patriotic shield rendered in yellow, red, white and blue.  Paper label inside reads Drum and Fife Made and Sold by J. & G. Dennison Freeport. 
Estimate: $800-1,200

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/202/third-maine-infantry-regiment-drum

Metal Field Snare Drum



Snare Drum

Lot #: 158
12.5" height x 15" width. Metal body complete with leather tension heads and possibly the original cords.
Price Realized $588

Horstmann Field Snare Drum



Civil War Snare Drum

Lot #: 157
14" high x 16" wide. One of the tension mounts is stamped Horstmann's Phila. Buff snares are in excellent condition and complete. See Graf (2006:200) for illustration of a similar drum.
Price Realized $705

Fife, Drum & Bugle



Pair of Drum Sticks, PLUS Fife and Bugle

Lot #: 676
Pair of drum sticks with holder, plus fife and bugle.
Price Realized $403

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/676/pair-drum-sticks-plus-fife-and-bugle

Field Drum



Painted tin drum with an American flag, 6'' h., 11

Lot #: 671
Painted tin drum with an American flag, 6'' h., 11'' w., together with a bentwood drum, 13'' h., 15'' w.
Price Realized $608

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/671/painted-tin-drum-american-flag-6-h-11

Eli Brown Drum, ca. 1833




Eli Brown Drum, ca. 1833

Lot #: 166

Paint-decorated Field Drum, Eli Brown, Windsor, Connecticut, c. 1833, the drum with lapped-seam maple shell applied with a distinctive brass tack geometric pattern of a circle and diamonds around the vent hole, and with polychrome-painted American eagle, shield, and stars, which was possibly painted after the drum was purchased; the interior bearing a paper maker's label reading "ELI BROWN, DRUM MANUFACTURER, HAS CONSTANTLY FOR SALE BASS AND SNARE DRUMS/MADE IN THE NEATEST AND BEST MANNER/Windsor (Wintonbury Soc.) Conn. 1833 No. 1712."; with red-painted hoops, later ropes and leather ears, accompanied by a later pair of drumsticks, (imperfections), wd. 13 1/2, dia. 17 1/2 in. 
Note: Eli Brown descended in a family which settled in the Windsor, Connecticut, area, and whose ancestors served in the Revolutionary War. The Browns of Wintonbury were mainly subsistence farmers and it is proposed by some that a few members used their additional skills of coopering to make drums, some possibly carried in the Revolutionary War. The drum business operated until the mid-19th century by Benjamin, Moses, William, and Eli (the most prolific of the four) Brown. It is reported that over 100 Brown-made drums are held in museums, fife and drum corps, and historical societies.  
Estimate $800-1,200
Missing 13 tacks, paint loss on both hoops, losses to edge of top hoop, varnish on paint-decorated area on shell is darkened and alligatored, probable replaced heads, the bottom head has a loss and a 1 in. tear, and is slightly separated from hoop about 10 in. around edge, it also shows evidence of a previous snare device on the bottom drum head, later ropes and leather ears (which were put on upside down). 
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Price Realized $2,040



March 3rd, 2013

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/166/paint-decorated-field-drum

Oliver Ditson Drum


Drum and Two Pairs of Sticks

Lot #: 154
Drum and Two Pairs of Sticks, c. late 19th century, wooden drum made by OLIVER DITSON COMPANY, BOSTON, NEW YORK with calf skin heads, leather tabs, and iron rope hooks, two pair of wooden sticks, and one single, ht. 8 3/4, wd. 16 in.  
Estimate $200-400
Some tears in calf skin heads, leather tabs dry from age. 
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Price Realized $720

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/154/drum-and-two-pairs-sticks

Civil War Drum ID'd to Ayers of Chester


Civil War Drum ID'd to Ayers of Chester

Lot #: 191
13" height x 16" diameter. Only of a fragment of the inside label remains tracing its origins to a New York maker. Complete with leather tension mounts and bottom head marked in ink H.E. Ayers, Chester. 
Estimate: $1,000-2,000

Civil War Drum ID' To Company A 1st Vermont Infantry



Civil War Drum ID'd To Company A 1st Vermont Infantry

Lot #: 192

Ostensibly, an early war-used civilian drum measuring 13 x 16" with maple shell inscribed, A/1st VT./Vol. Inf. The drum is without provenance or documentation.
The 1st Vermont was a three-month organization that mustered in May 9, 1861. The regiment occupied Newport News, Virginia in late May and remained there for the duration of its service, mustering out in mid-August. The 1st Vermont was engaged during the battle of Big Bethel on June 9, 1861, losing two men killed.
Price Realized $805


Rope Tension Military Snare Drum

Lot #: 139

Rope Tension Military Snare Drum, c. 18th/early 19th century, wooden hoops with diagonal painted red and blue lines, blue painted shell with white triangle and sunburst designs, natural linen rope, leather tension pulls, and calfskin heads, ht. 15, wd. 13 3/4 in. 
Estimate $800-1,000
Some cracks in shell of drum, some paint loss overall, and a repair to the lower head. 
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Price Realized $923


November 2nd, 2013

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/139/rope-tension-military-snare-drum

Fine CDV of Confederate Musician Posed with Drum


Full-length portrait of a CSA musician holding drumsticks and posed with an intricately painted drum.  Backmark of photographer J. Jones, Rendezvous of Distribution, VA.  "Rendezvous of Distribution" was a name used for a large camp in Arlington which served as the transfer point for soldiers being exchanged from various POW camps or returning to duty after recuperating from injury or illness.
Price Realized $390

WILLIAM SEMPF FIELD DRUM

WILLIAM SEMPF FIELD DRUM
Stencil decorated, bands with marquetry inlay, mid 19th c.
Original paper label
16" dia.
Price Realized $1,063



December 6th, 2013 to December 8th, 2013

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/1458/william-sempf-field-drum

B.E. & M. Brown Painted Drum



B.E. & M. Brown Painted Drum, Winchester, Connecticut, c. 1815, the case decorated with brass tacks, (damage), ht. 13, dia. 16 in.


Estimate $200-250
tear to drum, newer red paint 
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Price Realized $554

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/884/be-m-brown-painted-drum


Discovery

March 12th, 2014 to March 13th, 2014

Rope Tension Base Drum


Rope Tension Base Drum, c. mid-19th century, red-painted hoops, calfskin heads, shell with tack pattern and ivory vent hole, maker's mark inside shell MANUFACTURED BY / WM. BOUCHER, Jr. / MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS / BALTIMORE, MD., ht. 18, wd. 25 in.  
Estimate $400-600
Drum is in good condition with some paint loss on hoops, rope and some leather tensioners are replacements. 
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Price Realized $738

Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/132/rope-tension-base-drum

U.S. Marked Early 19th Century Snare Drum with Sticks


U.S. Marked Early 19th Century Snare Drum with Sticks,wooden shell with brass tack design, faint white painted U Sat the top of the shell with a starburst pattern painted around vent hole, small carved G A S near bottom, red painted hoops with calfskin heads, replaced rope, and several Civil War era leather ears, heavy sticks, ht. 16, dia. 16 1/2 in.  
Estimate $400-600
Hoops are replaced, some missing leather ears, and the bottom calfskin snare head is damaged. 
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Price Realized $861
Source: http://www.bidsquare.com/l/87/us-marked-early-19th-century-snare-drum-sticks


P.R. Winn, Drummaker

An article by W. Lee Vinson, author and publisher of BostonDrumBuilders.com and blog.BostonDrumBuilders.com . For Lee's story about ...