The Civil War Drums of Edward Baack

Drum maker, flute maker, politico, scoundrel? -- Who was Edward Baack?
Terry McGee reports in the "Chiff & Fipple" blog under the topic "Edward Baack Flute":"Edward Baack rates as one of the more interesting characters in flute making history. Born Hamburg in June 1809, died NY 14 Dec 1893. Flourished NY 1837-1893. According to an unsubstantiated family tradition, he went to the US as a deserter from the German army in 1832. Set up as an importer and dealer with Paulus from 1837, then listed as a maker 1864-1872. Then retired insolvent due to wartime debts and economic crises. His premises included the retail downstairs, manufactory upstairs, and his home, wife and 12 children."

The New York Times for June 23, 1858, p. 5, reported that an Edward Baack (possibly the same person as the drum and flute maker) was one of many supporters of Hon. John B. Haskin, Representative to Congress from the 9th Congressional District who met at the principal hall in Morrisania (now part of the Bronx) to support the congressman. And the Times for November 16, 1871, p. 1, reported that an Edward Baack, Jr. ran (but lost) for Receiver of Taxes as an Independent Democrat from the Town of West Farms (also now part of the Bronx but apparently part of Westchester County at the time).

Interestingly, the "Annual Report of the State Engineer & Surveyor of the State of New York", etc. for the year ending September 30, 1868 (p. 684) reports that Edward Baack was President of the Harlem Bridge, Morrisania and Fordham Railway Company as of December 15, 1868 and both Baack and the same John B. Haskin (both of Fordham, New York, now part of the Bronx), were listed among the directors.

And "Thomas" reports in his blog "I Wear Tight Genes":
"I've found a few obits so far, but this little bit from Jan 12, 1871, caught my eye:

'Judge Blatchford, of the United States Court, has granted the motion of the plantiffs in the case of the Manufacturer's National Bank of Chicago vs. EDWARD BAACK and EDWARD BAACK, Sr., of this City, for the appointment of a receiver and for an injunction, holding that the court had full jurisdiction in the case.'

"Interesting, eh? At the time, the Baack clan was living in West Farms, Westchester Co. (for the most part), and 2 years after this notice, Ed Jr. loses an election to become the county receiver of taxes. G.E. Valley Jr. did a lot of research regarding a family legend centering around the Baack dynasty: That H. Edward Sr. had gained quite a lot of money, but then lost most of it after the Civil War due to having sold bugles to the Confederates. His research eventually turned up nothing surrounding this legend, but this little hit in the NY Times may be some indication that the family was going through financial troubles anyway at around the same time period."

Analysis:
So, were there two Edward Baack's? Yes, father and son. Were there three? Who knows? Seems unlikely that the politico from West Farms (now part of the Bronx) would have been able to maintain a shop to make drums on Fulton Street (downtown Manhattan) and commute daily in pre-subway times. Also, the obit referred to above indicates that he lived with his family in the same building as his "manufactory" which appears to have been on Fulton Street (decidedly not West Farms). And although musical instrument makers are generally skilled people, the thought of Edward Baack the German-born drum-, flute- (and oboe-) maker moonlighting as (or becoming) President of a railway is just too far fetched to be probable. So, my conclusion is that Edward Baack the musical instrument maker and Edward Baack the railroad president were two different people, but possibly father and son.

Eric Totman (www.horncollector.com) generously posted photos of his 1860s restored Edward Baack drum for the world to see.








Another Baack Drum:



The Dec. 7, 2006 sale for $3,500 by Cowan's in its Fall Historic Americana and Militaria auction of another Baack drum (the eagle drum pictured above) was reported by LiveAuctioneers.com and described as follows:

"121st Regiment U.S. Infantry Painted Snare Drum, brown wood drum with typical hand-painted patriotic eagle bearing a US shield and banner in its beak that reads 121st Reg. U.S. Infantry. Stylized sunrays with white painted stars scattered against the blue background. Red painted top and bottom wood rims. Nine brown leather tension mounts. Bottom drumhead with stenciled black letters D.C. Connely, Stewart's Run, PA. Green paper label on inside of drum reads Edward Baack No. 87 Fulton Street New York Manufacturers and Importers of Drums, Banjos and Tamborines and All Kinds of Brass and Wooden Instruments. Bands Supplied on the Most Reasonable Terms. 15" height, 16.5" diameter. Complete with pair of 17" black painted wood drumsticks. The generic eagle drum with regulation military symbols is not specifically identified to a particular state and the high-numbered 121st painted banner could pertain to a volunteer regiment from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, or USCT. The cryptic reference to Steward's Run, PA is a good starting point for further research.
Condition report: Rope is a replacement. Both drumheads are in good condition, but soiled and showing water stains. Hand-painted eagle with numerous regions of severe paint loss. Rims retain ca 90% original red paint."

And a Baack Bass Drum:


Images on Prices4Antiques.com website courtesy of Garth's Auctions.

Described by Garth's as follows:

"CAMPAIGN DRUM FOR GROVER CLEVELAND. An early Civil War era drum by "Edward Baack, 87 Fulton St., New York" with worn original paint and an inlaid star on the side. The hand painted bust of Cleveland and banners, "Grover Cleveland", "Our Next President" are on one side only and have areas of wear. Cleveland was elected in 1884 and then again in 1892. Died in 1908. Restoration to one head and a tear on the other. 36 1/2"d. 18 1/4"h."

Also, Kovel's (www.kovels.com) auctioneers lists having sold an Eagle Baack with red hoops and a New York label and stencil in 2000 for a mere $795.

In addition to making drums, Baack made flutes. See three examples in the Dayton C. Miller Flute Collection Here they are:




And Baack flutes (plus many Civil War drums) are reported to be part of the collection of the MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Maine History Gallery, Wadsworth-Longfellow House), 485 Congress Street, 04101 (207-879-0427) FAX (207-775-4301).

Wait, there's more -- Baaack oboes: "The Oboe", by Geoffrey Burgess and Bruce Haynes, Yale Musical Instrument Series, p. 169 refers to "[A]n oboe bearing the name of Edward Baack (1802 - p.1871), who ... operated out of New York ...."

Boy Size "John C. Haynes" Rope Drum Has Clean Label But Poor Artwork

Although the "artwork" and "eagle" on this drum are hideous, the label inside this little drum is almost worth the price asked -- an intact clean readable John C. Haynes printed label.




A good-looking brass snare mechanism and oversized leather ears (probably stock intended for full-size drums), add to this drum's alure.



"Fine Civil War Drummer Boy size drum, excellent as they come along! Crisp example with original skins, pulls, ropes and Massachusetts maker label inside! This superb little item measures 10 ¾” wide and about 9” tall and is a perfect scaled down example of the full size military issue eagle drum. The body has a fine Infantry eagle motif painted on the side, too. $1,750." See eBay #220212331993. See Civil War Shop.



Will & Lynn Gorges
Civil War
Battleground Antiques Inc.
dba CivilWarShop.com
3910 U.S. Hwy 70 East
New Bern, N.C. 28560
Phone (252) 636-3039
Fax (252) 637-1862
tarheelrebel2000@aol.com

Confederate Drum Draws $18,000 at James D. Julia Auction

In an auction March 11 by James D. Julia, Civil War rope drums drew mixed interest. This confederate drum was far and away the winner, going out at $18,000. The inscribed head and provenance no doubt did a lot for its value, the drum being otherwise relatively unexceptional.

Another good specimen, a Horstmann eagle drum (discussed below), did fairly well. It was knocked down at $6,500 (against a pre-auction estimate of $7,000 to $9,000).

However, the depth of the market was surely tested (and found to be relatively shallow this week) when three other specimens drew no interest (discussed below -- See "A [Not So] Hot Week in Eagle Rope Drums", posted March 10, 2008) and appear to have been sold to a lucky floor bidder for $1 each.




"CAPTURED CONFEDERATE DRUM. You are bidding on possibly the only confederate used drum ever offered at an auction. We can find no record of another drum with such provenance as this one. Similar identified drums are in institutional collections including, The Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond Virginia, and the Atlanta Historical Society. This drum is intact and is in as found condition. Drum is a standard military drum used both North and South; 16" X 14" with about 2" high red painted hoops, a natural wood body with a geometric design, a bone vent hole plug, and orig tied on carrying strap. The drum is consigned by a direct descendant of the soldier who captured this drum and carried it home as a souvenir. There is a 15 line ink inscription on the top head which is no doubt contemporary to the capture of the drum. Because of their bulk, a drum would have been a difficult souvenir for a soldier to obtain, unless he was stationed on a ship such as soldiers fighting at Port Royal, at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where other large souvenirs have known to have been collected. The inscription though worn and weathered, is still mostly discernible as follows. "This drum was found 3 miles from Fort Walker, Hilton Head, S.C. on the 8th of November 1861, by WM. Car.... the Steward of Steamship Manion. The drum was left in that spot by one of the drummers of the Berry Infantry of ... 7th day of ... Georgia on the named month..... after their defeat in the battle for Port Royal. The drummer ... in the hand during his... was on the drumm...SECESSION DRUM FROM PORT ROYAL, S.C." If you ever wanted a confederate used drum you better buy this one, I doubt another with iron clad provenance will ever turn up. Accompanied by copy of article from Brooklyn, NY newspaper, cs 1948-1950, in which previous owner states, "he wouldn't let anyone play my Civil War Drum...it was given to me by a friend several years ago." CONDITION: Drum appears uncleaned and untolled since the war. Surfaces of heads, hoops, and body have numerous scratches, soiled areas, and scuffs. Drum head has stain marks which could be blood. The two hoops retain most of their orig red paint. Both heads have several age cracks measuring from 1/2" to 2" long. Roping is completely original and intact though worn at high spots. Only one original leather tightener is present and it has contemporary string repair, and is quite fragile. A second retained tightener is made from a loose piece of cloth with a small civil war era buckle. The original drum strap is frayed, but mostly complete though lacking most all of it's leather attachment. The original roller buckle is retained by a safety pin. 4-31692 JS9 (10,000-15,000)." See James D. Julia, Inc. See eBay #140211734514.

Civil War or Earlier "Porter Blanchard" of Concord, New Hampshire

First, Who was Porter Blanchard?
According to "American Military Goods Dealers and Makers, 1785-1915" (p. 13), Porter Blanchard of Concord, New Hampshire, was born in 1788 in Amherst and was a cabinet maker from 1809 until his death in 1871 (he would have been 83 years of age at death). "Along with furniture he made churns and military drums. His sons continued the churn business thru the 1890's. The surviving drums date from the Civil War era. In 1864 he is listed as drum & churn maker h 211 Main along with sons, Chas. P. and Thomas. In 1849 the 'New England Mercantile Union Directory' shows Blanchard under 'drums' indicating a business in this type of manufacture at an earlier date. A label in a drum in NH Hist. Soc. collections shows bass & tenor drums, ebony sticks, B & C fifes manufactured by Porter Blanchard, Concord, NH."

What the Seller Said About This Drum:
"An early pre war drum by Porter Blanchard of Concord N.H. Drum has been restored, new ropes, tugs and heads. This is a nice rare label which dates 1850. Size 18" high 16 wide.

"Bass and Tenor Drums / Ebony Drum-sticks / B and C FIFES / Manufactured / and For Sale / by / Porter Blancard. / A few rods north of the State-House / Concord New Hamshire.
"There is no snare hardware, just indents in bottom hoops."

See eBay #220210748329. [This drum sold at eBay auction March 16, 2008 for $786.00 to ebayer "horncollector", a collector and dealer in brass instruments with 1001 eBay evaluations under his belt. See horncollector's webpage.]

Note that the absence of a brass snare mechanism is not fatal to authenticity. See, e.g,. the 1862 Wm. S. Tompkins drum discussed in our Feb. 27, 2008 posting, "Tompkins 1860-1863 Masterpiece Drums -- Where Are They Now?" and pictured below. There was no snare mechanism there either. The snares were tightened up at the same time at the heads but pulling down on the leather tugs.





BRS Militaria
P.O. Box 178
24 School Street
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Phone: 207 967-2906
FAX: 207 967-2997
Shop hours 10am-5pm On-line 24 hours
Email: cleartheway@roadrunner.com

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Field Drum collector Bob Benton writes:

"Hi Ellis:

"I own an early Porter Blanchard Snare Drum that is currently under restoration (see attached photos taken prior to restoration). The drum has several nasty splits on the shell as you can see in the photos. Like the Porter Blanchard currently on eBay, my drum has no evidence of ever having snare hardware mounted. However, I can see where the shell and rims were hand carved (the snare bed) to make clearance for the gut so the snares could be tucked in place. My label is in place and in fine shape for the age. The label speaks of Porter Blanchard, furniture maker. My drum's label is somewhat different from that on the Porter Blanchard drum on eBay. No date is listed on my label. My restoration is about 75% complete. When finished I will post photos to the FieldDrums.com blog.

"Thanks,

"Bob Benton

Printed Label in Bob Benton's Porter Blanchard Drum:





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Compare with the 1862 Wm. S. Tompkins drum that also lacks snare hardware: As shown in the photographs below of another drum by a different maker (Wm. S. Tompkins of Yonkers, NY), there is no snare hardware at all on that drum either. The snares were tucked in and pulled down along with the heads. Imagine how difficult that was to perform.

A [Not So] Hot Week in Eagle Rope Drums

This week Civil War eagle drums seem to be coming out of the attics and hitting the auction houses (or James D. Julia, Inc. at any rate).

This sampling looks good and is sure to test the depth of the market by offering three relatively good (but not the best) quality drums at the same time. In the past, at the eBay level, an abundance of rope drums at auction at any one time has tended to drive prices down as the buying portion of the market has only so much appetite (remember supply and demand). Let's see whether that holds true at this level as well.

[Note: All quotes below are the seller's descriptions.]

Eagle Drum by Horstmann, Philadelphia
Sold at $6,500 to a floor bidder, March 11, 2008 (below original estimte of $7,000 to $9,000)

"CIVIL WAR EAGLE DRUM. You are bidding on a beautiful Civil War Eagle Drum about 13" t, 16-1/2" across. A similar painted drum is pictured in Mark Elrod's book, A Pictoral History of Civil War Era Musical Instruments and Military Bands. That drum has a label noting manufacture by Horstmann of PA. This drum is full-sized and not cut down as so many were for later service. Upper head, rope, and leather braces may be restorations, as is usually the case, but now have appropriate age look. Upper rim considerably worn perhaps from too many rim shots where the drummer rests one stick on the rim while he strikes it with the other. Drum still has its original gut snares. The body of the drum is tiger-eye maple. An old coat of varnish has preserved the painting, but has darkened with age. Colors underneath are strikingly vivid worth[y] of professional cleaning. CONDITION: Overall, very good. Top head is restored as are tighteners; otherwise, drum is in as-found condition. Paint is very good and bright with scattered scratches, scrapes, and soiling. Top hoop is broken and separated, but sits on drum well, and does not affect aesthetics. 87566 (7,000-9,000)." See James D. Julia, Inc. See eBay #140211734523.



Eagle Drum by John D. McCarthy, Lewiston, Maine
No bids (per conversation 3/14/08 with Bill of James D. Julia) at March 11, 2008 auction (original estimate was $5,000 to $8,000)

"MAINE-MADE CIVIL WAR ERA DRUM. This eagle-and-shield hand decorated drum is labeled on the interior "John D. McCarthy Drums...Lewiston Maine". The fierce eagle decoration with "E Pluribus Unum" banner in beak, peace branch and arrows in its talons, all on a red, white, and blue shield. Thirteen gold rays and stars are arrayed over the wings. All but one of the original tighteners are present, skin on the top appears original, the bottom one an old replacement. CONDITION: Drum side has a split radiating the entire circumference of the drum, painted eagle is strong, two retaining bands on top and bottom appear to be repainted. 4-32242 JJ15 (5,000-8,000)." See James D. Julia, Inc. See eBay #140211734332.



Eagle Drum by John F. Stratton, New York City
No bids (per conversation 3/14/08 with Bill of James D. Julia) at March 11, 2008 auction (original estimate was $4,500 to $6,500)

"CIVIL WAR ERA NEW YORK MADE DRUM. Eagle and banner decorated regulation infantry drum retaining maker's label on inside: "John F. Stratton Military Drums, 105 East 22nd Street, New York". Drum retains all but one of the leather tighteners, the cord a later replacement. Both at top and bottom have old but possibly not original skins (top with a split along the edge). CONDITION: We do not guarantee how old paint and and eagle is, otherwise generally good condition. 4-32243 JJ16 (4,500-6,500)." See James D. Julia, Inc. See eBay #140211734250.



Compare the artwork on this drum by "Ernest Vogt, Phila. Pa., contract Dec. 29, 1864," J. Craig Nannos Collection, pictured at p. 50 of "A Pictorial History of Civil War Era Musical Instruments & Military Bands":



Eagle Bass Drum
No bids (per conversation 3/14/08 with Bill of James D. Julia) at March 11, 2008 auction (original estimate was $8,000 to $12,000)

"LARGE PRE-CIVIL WAR EAGLE DECORATED DRUM. This large period drum in original old paint and decoration features a large wonderful folk art spread-wing eagle with flag and a round wreath of foliate design. Also a second painted spread-wing eagle on the opposite side of the drum. CONDITION: Many of the original leather tensioners are present. Original cord has at some time been replaced with later cord. Drum includes its original leather harness. Skins are intact, but each has a small split. Wooden retainer bands at top and bottom feature the original old red paint; both have age splits, one reinforced with four early handmade raisin-head nails. 4-32241 JJ14 (8,000-12,000)." See James D. Julia, Inc. See eBay #140211734250.

The Real Deal Heavily Tacked Drum on eBay Auction

"Genuine Original Civil War Drum

[3/16/08 Update: eBayer "horncollector" snagged this beauty in a hotly contested bidding war with 39 bids, winning the drum at $860. "horncollector" sniped in 6 seconds before the whistle blew (possibly using ezsniper.com), making his first and only appearance in this auction really count.

He cleverly hung back, staying out of the frey as other bidders punched themselves out in real time, including four other bidders who entered their offers manually within 2-1/2 minutes of the gavel, contributing to an almost $500 run-up in the price as the end of the auction drew near.

"horncollector" seems to know value, having also spent $786 to win the Porter Blanchard drum which was the subject of a March 10, 2008 posting to this blog. In that auction, his technique was the same -- hanging back, staying out of the bidding until the last 6 seconds then striking with a snipe outbidding a manual eBayer by $10.

So, eBay rope drum bidders beware, we have a new player in the game and he appears to have money to spend and knows how to bid. Welcome "horncollector".]

"Fresh from a local upstate NY estate comes this genuine period Civil War drum measuring just under 17" wide by 11.5" tall. The drum has brass tack design and an ivory or bone inspection hole along with all of it's original leather tensioners, gut snares and red painted hoops. Also included are the original 12.5" sticks the drum was found with. The bottom head bears the letters "CAW" stenciled in faded black ink or paint. The top head does have a couple of rips but is still quite intact. The wood is in fantastic condition overall with a few minor nicks and scrapes and superficial cracking to the overlapping ply at the tacked seam. All in all, a very nice example of a true Civil War period drum."

Unremarkable Alleged "Civil War" Drum Sells for $285.13 in Quiet eBay Auction

The eBay Auction:
Not much interest shown in this little beauty. Only three bidders throwing money at this one. slick-58 (664; a Civil War collector) hung in from the start after opening with an automatic bid that went all the way home. Valiant efforts by m***m (115; a Civil War collector) were insufficient to stave off slick-58's check-mate opening. One last test of the water by 1***s (467; an art collector) six hours before bidding ended, and slick-58 was the winner.

Seller's Description:
"THIS IS A GREAT OLD ANTIQUE SNARE DRUM I KNOW WAS PAST DOWN TO THERE GENERATIONS, I WAS TOLD DRUM WAS AROUND 150 YEARS OLD! AND COULD HAVE BEEN USED, IN THE CIVIL WAR, OTHER CIVIL WAR ITEMS WERE FOUND WITH IT.THE STCKS WERE ALSO FOUND IN BOX WITH DRUM. THERE ARE STARS ON THE LEATHER PIECES ON THE ROPES, HARD TO SEE BUT THERE, STORED VERY WELL FOR ALL THESE YEARS IN SUPER NICE ORIGINAL CONDITION, LIGHT DUST ONLY! DRUM HAS NOT BEEN CLEANED MEASURES, 8 1/2'' DEEP, TOP MEASURES, 14'' ACROSS TOP."

Eagle Drum Goes for $1,380 on eBay

A good price on a so-so Civil War eagle drum. Why just so-so?

What's Not So Hot About This Drum? The art work is just fair, nothing great. And the blue background does not extend the full length of the shell (the top margin might be hidden if the heads were pulled down tight, but then the bottom of the eagle's claws and the arrows would be cut off).

Speaking of which (cut-off) the misplacement of the painting viz. the vertical axis of the drum suggests that the drum was once taller and has been cut down to 11-3/4 inches.

And, not to be picky, the rope and leather snare stop look to be relatively new.

Also, the placement of the snare mechanism near the drummer's right hand for tightening while the drum is slung is wrong (should be by the drummer's left hand (higher) so whomever was assembling (or reassembling) this drum might not have been thinking about wearing and using the drum (you can tell where the strainer is from the placement of the leather snare stop -- the adjustment mechanism, if any, would be 180 degrees opposite which would be to the drummer's right [thanks Terry, good observation -- see comment below]).

Finally, the roping job is poor -- a knot? -- and no drag line. If the rope is a replacement, why not do the job right?

What's Pretty Good About This Drum? The pulls look old enough (but they could be new and artificially "aged") and the hooks and snare mechanism look vintage Civil War.

So, "dptydog" (eBay name of winning bidder), not a bad price if you had to have an eagle drum in your collection. But it appears that the pros stayed away from this one for a reason, actually probably many reasons (as above).

Any comments or other perspectives are always welcome.

The seller wrote:

"... A GREAT CIVIL WAR PAINTED DRUM. DRUM IS IN GREAT CONDTION WITH ONE OF THE RAWHIDE STRECTED SKINS REPLACED WITH A ROUND PIECE OF WOOD. YOU COULD TAKE IT TO A DRUM STORE AND HAVE A NEW PIECE STRECTED BACK ON IT. LOOKING THROUGH A LITTLE PEEP HOLE THERE IS A MAKERS STAMP INSIDE THE DRUM BUT I CAN'T MAKE IT OUT DUE TO POOR EYE SIGHT. DRUM IS ALL ORIGINAL AND FROM THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD .... LOOKING THROUGH THE PEEP HOLE I CAN MAKE OUT HARTFORD CONN. ALSO THE DRUM MEASURE'S 11 3/4 INCHES IN HEIGHT AND 17 INCHES WIDE."

Drum by John Lowell of Bangor, Maine

Believed to have been manufactured in 1850 (substantiating information to follow), this drum arrived at my office in 2006 in pretty rough condition: essentially just a lot of parts. But so many things about the drum made it special and worthy of restoration, including the union shields on the pulls, the handwritten label, the tack line at the shell seam and counter hoop laps, the snare mechanism, and the vent hole grommet.

Thanks to Jim Ellis and his craftspersons at Cooperman Drum Company in Bellows Falls, Vermont for their superb restoration work.



Design Features Revealed in Photo
Note the vent hole grommet, tacked lapped counter hoops, snare mechanism and line of tacks at seam (second photo below). Also, note the light area below the leather pull/tug/ear indicative of wear caused by prior pulls.




Brass Union Shield on Each Ear
A fine decorative touch believed to be on the originals, each ear has one of these puppies on it (3/4" x 3/4"). I have two original brass shields. I was able to obtain replacements in pewter but plan to upgrade to brass.




Staples Soldered to Rear of Union Shield



Handwritten Label in Drum
John Lowell / Manufacturer and / Dealer in all kinds of / Musical Instruments / No. 4 Maine St. / Bangor




Snare Mechanism