Oliver Ditson Drum Co. Bass Drum

eBay seller rmagiccds ( 3184), item no. 200512716955, sold Sep. 2, 2010 for $119.50, described as:

Antique 1800's Bass Drum; OLIVER DITSON DRUM CO. Boston

Here is a recent estate find. This is a rare Original Antique Bass Drum Made by The Oliver Ditson Drum Company Boston USA. It has a Maple Shell with Wood Hoops and Gut Heads. The Original paper manufacturers label is inside which reads "Oliver Ditson Company Manufacturers Of Drums and Drummer's Traps Boston New York." The shell measures 24" x 9 1/2". This Drum is complete but will need some attention. One of the heads has a split and will need to be replaced, it has been repaired for display purposes. The original rope binding is frayed and split from age and needs attention, I placed the ropes loosely on the drum for the photos but they need to be fixed. The hoops and shell are in excellent condition.

For more information on Ditson, please search this blog (upper left).

Note that about 1850 Elias Howe (Boston Drum Factory) sold out his entire business to Oliver Ditson and retired. Boston of To-Day, Richard Herndon, Edwin Monroe Bacon, Post Publishing Company, 1892, US 13181.28A, PP. 265,6. Field Drums: Elias Howe Drum, ca. 1861

Thus, a Ditson drum and a Boston Drum Factory drum could have much in common.