Bidding Goes Wild on 1862 Civil War Bass Drum with Painted Star Spangled Banner, Possible Battle of Fort Donelson Veteran

Bidding went wild as this magnificent specimen broke the bank at almost $3,000 on eBay. Here's the play-by-play. You can see where the pros got in and took over. In the last 12 minutes of the auction, the price tripled and the drum ultimately went to a seasoned pro who out-sniped two other snipers in the last 9 seconds of the auction.

js580( 395) US $2,851.00 Jun-18-08 08:22:03 PDT
js580( 395) US $2,851.00 Jun-18-08 08:22:03 PDT
o***s( 648) US $2,801.00 Jun-18-08 08:22:02 PDT
c***t( 138) US $1,601.00 Jun-18-08 08:21:54 PDT
d***d( 103) US $1,470.00 Jun-18-08 08:21:59 PDT
a***l( 161) US $1,200.00 Jun-18-08 07:26:20 PDT
a***l( 161) US $1,160.50 Jun-18-08 07:25:48 PDT
e***e( 71) US $1,160.00 Jun-18-08 08:19:54 PDT
e***e( 71) US $1,110.00 Jun-18-08 08:18:25 PDT
e***e( 71) US $1,059.99 Jun-18-08 08:17:00 PDT
e***e( 71) US $1,009.99 Jun-18-08 08:15:42 PDT
e***e( 71) US $985.00 Jun-18-08 08:15:11 PDT
e***e( 71) US $965.00 Jun-18-08 08:14:37 PDT
e***e( 71) US $935.00 Jun-18-08 08:13:48 PDT
5***h( 4 ) US $910.00 Jun-18-08 04:35:13 PDT
a***l( 161) US $755.50 Jun-17-08 09:52:42 PDT
a***l( 161) US $655.00 Jun-09-08 07:25:50 PDT
r***c( 717) US $575.00 Jun-17-08 19:51:22 PDT
d***d( 103) US $500.00 Jun-08-08 18:42:28 PDT
js580( 395) US $165.00 Jun-08-08 21:16:35 PDT
m***e( 82) US $152.75 Jun-08-08 19:34:17 PDT
s***s( 99) US $10.00 Jun-08-08 17:51:27 PDT

Starting Price US $0.99 Jun-08-08 08:22:06 PDT

This big beauty (25" diam. x 20") appeared early last week on eBay in a 10-day auction as item #160248970372 and described as follows:

United States Union Army Civil War Rope Tension Bass Drum in well aged condition. There is a hole and a tear in one side of the drum. I think it is a bass drum that was carried vertically. A good portion of the original strap harness is still attached. The drum measures 20 inches tall and 25 inches in diameter. Most of the artwork has faded but you can still see the distinct remnants of the Star Spangled Banner on the side. I cannot make out enough of the art to describe. Please refer to the photographs. The drum is still very solid and sturdy. The history of this item is remarkable in that it came from Tennessee, the sight of the Battle of Fort Donelson where Ulysses S. Grant defeated the Confederate Army, one of the first major Union victories of the Civil War in 1862. However, this information cannot be confirmed. This item was discovered in early 2008 while taking inventory of an estate of a collector in Missouri who had recently passed. Along with the drum was found a Display Sheet (also included) which states the following.

This drum came from Fort Donelson - Feb. 6, 1862. The fort is on the Cumberland River at about the place where the State Line separates Kentucky from Tennessee. The Confederates surrendered to U. S. Grant.

The date on the sheet is in error because February 16 was the true date of the victory. This may have just been a transcription error. Either way, this is quite the collectable for any History or Civil War Buff.

The "Streetor Drum" by William S. Tompkins at the Missouri Historical Society -- a Photo Essay

1863 Wm. C. STREETOR PRESENTATION DRUM
Wm. C. Streetor / Co. F 7th Inf'y E.M.M. / July, 1863
(Collection of the Missouri Historical Society)

These photos were generously provided by Jeff Meyers, Associate Curator, Missouri Historical Society. We have here photos of an original William S. Tompkins presentation drum from the collection of the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis. (For another article in this blog on Tompkins' drums including this one, see Tompkins 1860-1863 Masterpiece Drums -- Where Are They Now? from which some of the discussion of this drum is taken.)

Note: E.M.M. stands for Enrolled Missouri Militia. Click here for a brief history of the E.M.M.

The drum has a silver plate on its face engraved “W.S. TOMPKINS / MAKER / YONKERS, NY”.


Also, inside the shell is handwritten in script “Wm. S. Tompkins & Sons / Makers / Yonkers, N.Y. / Drums of all sizes made to order / June 1st / 1863”.

Who was Wm. C. Streetor?

Sgt. Major Wm. C. Streetor's service record states that Sgt. Major Wm. C. Streetor was transferred from the 7th to the 13th Reg't, E.M.M. Sept. 25, 1864 in St. Louis and relieved of duty Nov. 3, 1864. The service record is online at the Missouri Secretary of State's website, Soldiers Database: War of 1812 - World War I, Record Group: Office of Adjutant General; Series Title: Record of Service Card, Civil War, 1861-1865; Box 80; Reel: s774.

The Snare Mechanism -- Original or "After Market"?

I am puzzled about whether the snare mechanism is original equipment.

Holes in the top rim:

The holes in the top counterhoop could be the result of a once-present military carry (after-market), or a snare mechanism (if the top counterhoop once served on the bottom of the drum). Or could those holes be from the compression portion of a snare mechanism, as below?

Troughs in the top Counterhoop:

Another mystery -- what are the troughs in the top counterhoop?

Robin Engelman of Toronto, Ontario, Canada emailed me June 21, 2008 with a possible answer:

"Dear Ellis,

I visited your web site today and was delighted by the presentation of
the materials I sent you. ***

Another reason for writing was to take a guess as to why the two troughs appear on the hoop of the Streetor Drum. Perhaps the drummer simply put his sticks in those grooves while otherwise unemployed. Of course the troughs would have to be logically placed to allow this when the drum was slung and they would have to be big enough to hold a normal pair of sticks."

Possible Assembly Error:

What is that metal (brass?) attachment on the top of the counter hoop? Sure looks like the bottom of a screw-type snare mechanism. If it is the bottom of a screw-type snare mechanism, it doesn't belong there (it belongs on the bottom counter-hoop facing inward; in every example we've seen, Tompkins' red, white (in this case clear) and blue counter hoops had red on the outside, white (or clear) in the middle and blue on the inside moving longitudinally along the vertical axis). Here the paint pattern would tell us that the counterhoops are installed correctly. Could it be that someone attached the bottom of a Civil War era snare mechanism upside down and confused the top with the bottom counter hoop?

Thompson & ODell (Boston)

Information from Cowan's Auction Website:
Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium: $345.00
Auction: 2005, Historic Americana / June 9-10

1394. INDIAN WAR ERA DRUM BY STROMBERG, wood body with eight leather tensions with both rims painted black. Braided rope cording interlaced 11 top rivets and 10 bottom rivets and a snare-tightening pin.

Interior of drum with original label which reads "The Celebrated Artist Drum Thompson & Odell Co. No. 523 Washington Street Boston Mass. Charles Stromberg Maker."

Complete with black-painted drumsticks 14" and 17". 15" high x 16.5" diameter. Top drumhead with 13.5" tear, bottom drumhead with 2.5" tear. VG.

(EST $300-$500)
Price Realized: $345.00
Price includes buyer's premium.

Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
6270 Este Ave
Cincinnati, OH United States 45232
513-871-1670

Hand-painted Wooden Militia Bass Drum

Information from Cowan's Auction Website:
Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium: $2,300.00
Auction: 2005, Historic Americana / June 9-10

1046. HAND-PAINTED WOODEN MILITIA BASS DRUM, front side presents a gold-painted medallion-shaped painted image of a fierce eagle clutching a flag in its talons rendered in brown, black, gold and red. Another similar eagle placed adjacent is depicted on a smaller scale without gold medallion periphery. Both upper and lower wood headbands painted red. Complete with 13 black leather tension mounts attached to the original braided ropes. Side of drum with black leather carrying strap connected by two pieces of brass furniture. Brown leather pad attached to drum by domed brass tacks aligned in heart outline complete with waist-belt connector hook.

Interior of drum marked with inked date 1828 visible through ivory peephole. 26" height x 24" diameter. Top drumhead severed at the edges. Bottom drumhead with expected dark toning. Painted images are both very muted. One of the tensions severed in half. Part of wood rim severed from body. Some alligatoring forming on the wood in various areas. Fragment of wood rim detached. VG.

(EST $6000-$8000)
Provenance: Ex John Armiger Collection
Price Realized: $2,300.00
Price includes buyer's premium.

Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
6270 Este Ave
Cincinnati, OH United States 45232
513-871-1670

Regimental U.S. Infantry Eagle Drum

Information from Cowan's Auction Website:
Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium: $3,450.00
Auction: 2005, Historic Americana / June 9-10

1044. HAND-PAINTED WOODEN MILITIA SNARE DRUM, front with eagle with red banner with white shading in its beak Reg U.S. Infantry. Eagle bearing a patriotic shield on its breast with arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in its right. Stylized crenulated sunrays above with a star-filled blue sky. Painting is rendered in red, white, blue, yellow, green and brown. Domed brass tacks geometrically aligned to fasten the seam. Ten brown buff leather tensions with corresponding braided rope. Top and bottom headbands painted red. Bottom headband with device with tension screws for altering tautness of drumhead by six strings. 17" height x 17" diameter.Both drumheads with expected toning from aging, eagle has refreshed paint, mild paint loss along headbands. VG+.

(EST $1500-$2500)
Provenance: Ex John Armiger Collection
Price Realized: $3,450.00
Price includes buyer's premium.

Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
6270 Este Ave
Cincinnati, OH United States 45232
513-871-1670

Militia Snare Drum with Initials D.C.B.

Information from Cowan's Auction Website:
Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium: $900.00
Auction: 2006, Spring Decorative Arts, June 17

787. HAND-PAINTED MILITIA SNARE DRUM,front presents image of an eagle perched upon an oval device with a national shield inside. Background with a panoply of flags and military trophies, resting upon flourished scrolls. Right side of image is flanked by a vertical shield with the initials D.C.B. with intricate scrollwork border. Drum paintings rendered in orange, blue, red, white, brown and gold. Twelve buff leather tensions with corresponding braided rope. Top and bottom wood headbands painted dark brown. Bottom headband with tension screw device and ten wires for altering tautness of drumhead. With pair of 17" drumsticks. 14" high x 17.5" diameter.Orange paint ca 95%. Alligatoring present throughout.

(EST $3000-$6000)
Provenance: Ex John Armiger Collection
Price Realized: $900.00
Price includes buyer's premium.

Cowan's
Auctions, Inc.
6270 Este Ave
Cincinnati, OH United States 45232
513-871-1670

WWI Ludwig Snare Drum with Union Shield and Drumsticks

Information from Cowan's Auction Website:
Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium: $184.00
Auction: 2006, Spring Americana, May 10, 11 & 12

540. WWI LUDWIG SNARE DRUM W/ STICKS, with interior printed paper label, made in Chicago, with all hardware and original strap and sticks, 16" x 14.5". Includes letter from the manufacturer stating that the only this drum was part of an order placed by the U.S. Government in 1914.One head with split (6"), and normal wear from use, VG-.

(EST $200-$400)
Price Realized: $184.00
Price includes buyer's premium.

Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
6270 Este Ave
Cincinnati, OH United States 45232
513-871-1670

Abner Stevens Civil War Drum

Information from Cowan's Auctions Website:

Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium:
$660.00 Auction: 2004 Spring Historical Americana, May 20, 21

474. LABELED CIVIL WAR ERA DRUM, with interior label Abner Stevens...Springfield Mass.; in original red and cream paint with skin heads, older replaced cordage and leather slide tighteners; 14.5" high x 24" diameter.

As above with minor flaking paint, VG.

(EST $300-$500)
Price Realized: $660.00
Price includes buyer's premium.

Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
6270 Este Ave
Cincinnati, OH United States 45232
513-871-1670

126th Ohio Volunteer Infantry

Information from Cowan's Auctions Website:

Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium: $780.00
Auction: 2004, Fall Historic Americana / Dec 2-3

473. ID'D CIVIL WAR 126TH OVI SNARE DRUM, belonging to Joseph Harper. Bent wood snare drum with original band in red wash, skin heads and rope strapping with sinew snares bands on bottom and cut leather tighteners and original turned hickory sticks; no label on interior; 8" high x 15.5" diameter. Includes a copy photograph of the extended Harper family in which Joseph is identified in 1910, letter from the heir who consigned the drum to us and printed soldier's and unit history.

The 126th O.V.I. saw considerable action during the war including at their 1st encounter with the enemy at Martinsburg, W.V. in 1862 losing an entire company captured, Bristoe Station, Spotsylvania, and at Cold Harbor, at which Joseph, our drummer was severely wounded and later discharged for disability. The unit lost 9 officers and 111 men KIA. Untouched, EXC.

(EST $400-$600)
Price Realized: $780.00
Price includes buyer's premium.

Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
6270 Este Ave
Cincinnati, OH United States 45232
513-871-1670

John C. Haynes (Boston) Eagle Drum

Information from Cowan's Auctions Website:

Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium: $4,887.50
Auction: 2004 Spring Historical Americana, May 20, 21

473. CIVIL WAR ERA DRUM WITH EAGLE AND SHIELD, interior printed label from John C. Haynes & Co. Boston, beautifully hand painted with patinated blue ground with eagle in flight clutching ribbon banner in beak with E. Pluribus Unum and red, white and blue U.S. shield and cannon below with crescent of 27 gold 5-pointed stars surrounding; with original heads and leather wrapped hemp or jute cordage bindings; snare bands across bottom head intact; 17" diameter x 14" high. Fine patina with light crazing.

A few slight scratches and very slight paint loss to blue ground; paint is
98%; top head with short 4" split, bottom head with crack 3" long, VG+.

(EST $4000-$6000)
Price Realized: $4,887.50
Price includes buyer's premium.

Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
6270 Este Ave
Cincinnati, OH United States 45232
513-871-1670