I have not tried to analyze or research why there are holes or cracks in the wrap. I just assumed that it got brittle, and little fractures occurred. The thinner and inferior sparkle wraps used by some European and most Asian drum makers in the mid 20th century tended to crack. The outer surfaces of those wraps would feel like sand paper after a few years of being on the drums.

I'm gonna blame Jamin Sam's tape method. Air under the wrap make rot.:D

Fair enough. I was just curious if it was possible the glass shards could cut through the wrap over time. All my current vintage offerings are pearl wraps. So no first hand info to contribute. I wonder if that red Slingy tom had the blue sparkle wrap on the other side. And if that may be adding to the cause or not. I don't know the years Slingerland used the double sided wraps. I do think your correct with the mold affecting them. With enough dampness and moisture it could happen I'd think. :)

The ones with glass "bits" are a lot more lumpy, so if polished maybe rubbed through?

Yeah, bad lighting in the pic and taken with an iPhone 3. (Super hi-tech!) They're definitely orange though. The walls look light blue but are actually bright white.

FFR428 - I don't mind the age spots either, actually. I always thought it was character. I just hope it doesn't get to the point of the red kit in question.

That finish is gold sparkle. Slinger land did make orange until the '70s. That freckling and spotting is very common with that era gold sparkle.

I think it's usually a matter of humidity that contributes to the cancer spots. I've encountered drums that were from the early 1930's that were completely without them and others that are covered with them. I do think that tiny ruptures in the top surface allow moisture inside.

spots or no, they still are pretty and the chrome is gorgeous

...for $600, I think that was a pretty good buy

Yes.

No any surprising in these age spots and cracks --- old wrap was produced from natural celluloid which wellknown as an unstable chemical product and sensitive to the impact of atmosphere and aggressive environments.

Imagine my embarrassment! It looks quite orange to me, but then my wife tells me my color sight is off.