1886-87 Minnesota Militia Drummer

Appearing on Cowan's website without further description:

(EST $50-$100)
Price Realized: $998.75
Price includes buyer's premium.

Note, the print is reversed (not uncommon), the drum is held together by 8 rods rather than by ropes. And the drum has a bell strategically located to the drummer's left where it could be struck with the right hand reaching over the drum and remain conveniently out of reach when the drum was played normally. The bell strike must have looked pretty too as the drummer's right hand moved across the drum to strike the bell at the top of the upper counterhoop.

Finally, the drum looks to be reflecting light on the part of the shell facing the floor suggesting that it might have been made of metal. And, the drum appears to be relatively shallow which is consistent with its steep angle from the suspension point. A deeper drum would have hung more upright.

The card reads, "Overland & Holand, Fergus Falls, Minn. That photography shop is listed in the Minnesota Historical Society's "Directory of Minnesota Photographers" to have been in operation during 1886-1887.