Hi,
I have been away from my cleaning and restorations for a few months in order to help Cathy Felter (our good friend and fellow collector Bruce Felter's widow) to sell off Bruce's Rogers drum collection and his prized cymbal collection. 99% of the drums are sold and we are now selling the cymbals. I just want to take this moment to thank all of the Vintage Drum Forum members who were so supportive of this endeavor. All in all it was a good run as some of Bruce's fellow collectors/friends were able to get some of the drums that they sold or traded to Bruce back into their own personal collections. There were a few tire-kickers, one sour deal (the drum is going to someone that really wants it) and one complainer but the vast majority of you (and outside of the VDF, eBay etc.) were gems to deal with. This has been a bit of a roller coaster ride for Cathy but she is genuinely touched by all of the kind words here at the VDF and the many emails that she has received.
Here's the latest to enter into the collection:
1926-27 Ludwig & Ludwig 5x14 Ludwigold/brass Standard Model
This one came to me from a collector that was moving out of state in order to be able to take care of a family member. He was happy to see the drum go to a good home.
Standard Models in Ludwigold and Stipel Gold are a little harder to find, we see more Super-Ludwig Models than Standard Models...at least I do.
The Ludwigold shell was in pretty good shape and needed just a basic cleaning. There was one good sized dent that I contemplated taking care of myself but once I disabused myself of that silly concept (as you all do not know what damage I am capable of with a hammer) I brought the shell to my guys at Avenue Plating where Les saved the day with his special hammers. Les was able to "massage out" the dent like the pro that he is...and...with no loss or damage to the Ludwigold finish. Crisis averted and the shell was complete.
The Artgold hardware was all there and in very good shape with at least 95% of the Artgold lacquer intact. There were a few tarnished areas on the ends of the tube lugs/collar hooks and some rust on the threads of the tension rods but all that was easy to clean up. I love that "Ludwig Chicago U.S.A." engraving on the top rim!
Calf heads top and bottom and some correct of-the-era James Snappi wires finished off this cleaning/restoration.
You all know me and my quest of obtaining "sets of"...I already have a 6.5x14 brass Ludwigold Standard so I'm still looking for a 4x14 brass Ludwigold Standard.
You know where I am.
Enjoy!
Mike Curotto
