1951 BILLY GLADSTONE 6x14 8 LUG GOLD LACQUER/GOLD PLATED “CHARLES CORDES” SNARE DRUM

[Mike Curotto]

Hi,

Happy Holidays from the San Francisco Bay Area.

This drum was one of my first big purchases back in the mid-1990s. I purchased this drum from a collector on the east coast who at the time had 7 or 8 Billy Gladstone snare drums. This drum is on pages 6-7 in my book: VINTAGE SNARE DRUMS THE CUROTTO COLLECTION. I never did an article on the drum so here goes.

1951 BILLY GLADSTONE 6 x 14 8 LUG GOLD LACQUER/GOLD PLATED “CHARLES CORDES” SNARE DRUM


From my book:
“This drum is known as the Charles Cordes Gladstone. Mr. Cordes machined all the Gladstone hardware and assembled most of the Billy Gladstone snare drums. There were approximately 50 Gladstone drums made of which fewer than 30 are accounted for as of this printing. Of these 50 snare drums the Charles Cordes drum is the only 6 x 14 gold lacquer/gold plated drum known. The only other drum similar was Billy’s *personal drum which was a 7 x 14 gold lacquer/gold plated model. Noted Gladstone authority Chet Falzerano has stated that the nameplate on this drum has the most inscription of any Gladstone.”

*A good friend and fellow collector now owns this drum.

Enjoy!

Mike Curotto

[Round Badge]

Absolute Beauty Mike, and Back at you with Happy Holidays also. Stay Safe. Round Badge

[grantro]

Stunning!! Beautiful snare drum!!

Cheers

[O-Lugs]

Beautiful! What would you value the drum, today, Mike?

[Mike Curotto]

Originally Posted by O-Lugs

Beautiful! What would you value the drum, today, Mike?

I'm told 30-35K...

Mike Curotto

[jda]

WoW it "looks" like America (all the good parts) in 1951. Just "Representative" of a great time.

yea I see everything thru automotive/society/ eyes..

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=...TZIrJ7tWoTd91M

[vintagemore2000]

Wow!!! home run all the way !!!!

[Rob the drummer]

Originally Posted by Mike Curotto

Hi,

Happy Holidays from the San Francisco Bay Area.

This drum was one of my first big purchases back in the mid-1990s. I purchased this drum from a collector on the east coast who at the time had 7 or 8 Billy Gladstone snare drums. This drum is on pages 6-7 in my book: VINTAGE SNARE DRUMS THE CUROTTO COLLECTION. I never did an article on the drum so here goes.

1951 BILLY GLADSTONE 6 x 14 8 LUG GOLD LACQUER/GOLD PLATED “CHARLES CORDES” SNARE DRUM


From my book:
“This drum is known as the Charles Cordes Gladstone. Mr. Cordes machined all the Gladstone hardware and assembled most of the Billy Gladstone snare drums. There were approximately 50 Gladstone drums made of which fewer than 30 are accounted for as of this printing. Of these 50 snare drums the Charles Cordes drum is the only 6 x 14 gold lacquer/gold plated drum known. The only other drum similar was Billy’s *personal drum which was a 7 x 14 gold lacquer/gold plated model. Noted Gladstone authority Chet Falzerano has stated that the nameplate on this drum has the most inscription of any Gladstone.”

*A good friend and fellow collector now owns this drum.

Enjoy!

Mike Curotto

Mike, I played in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point back in the early 90's. We had two Gladstone drums, both covered in White Marine Pearl. The nameplates were inscribed with the band's name as the owner. I assume they are still there. One of them sounded pretty good, but we never could get the other one to sound decent at all.

[DRUMR69]

Nice Xmas present

Wayne

[Mike Curotto]

Originally Posted by Rob the drummer

Mike, I played in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point back in the early 90's. We had two Gladstone drums, both covered in White Marine Pearl. The nameplates were inscribed with the band's name as the owner. I assume they are still there. One of them sounded pretty good, but we never could get the other one to sound decent at all.

I also knew a guy that played there also...it's so long ago that I forgot his name...I also bought 2 great snare drums from him a while back. If you name some of your fellow percussionists from the West Point Band I would probably be able to pick him out.

Mke Curotto