Howdy, Yes, it is a calfskin batter head for the top of a drum.  Most likely it is for a 13" tom tom mounted on top of the bass drum.  I love the fact that it looks like it has been repaired since it has stitching on the edge of the head.  I think it is a wonderful artiface and a real piece of jazz history.  

Hi Pedal Pusher!

Thank you so much for your response. Do you know if Art ever used a 13" calfskin tom tom drum head like this? Do you have any advice on how I could find more information about that 1/2/63 Japan concert. I don't think any audio or video exists. This drum head could be one of the only artifacts from that concert. Could Art have hit this drum so hard that it split and he had it repaired and kept using it? Was it common for a drummer to repair/reinforce (stitch) a drum head and keep using it? Caravan was recorded in October 1962 with this lineup of players. Art had lots of great drum solos on that album. Any advice on how I could find out if Art used a 13" tom tom on Caravan?

Does anyone else have any insight?

Thanks gang!

Pretty cool!

I would have to check some references in the drum room to find out about the sizes of the drums that Art Blakey commonly used.  Since the concert was in Japan he may have used a set of drums provided by the venue.  The tear is near the edge of the head so it could easily have been repaired and not affect the sound too much.  It is also possible that if the head was a batter (top) head and became split, it was swapped with an undamaged bottom head from the same drum.  Of course the damaged head could have been removed and replaced from the drum and they decided to use the damaged head for signature purposes.  Sorry I am generating more questions than answers.  I will be out of town for a week but will try to get some more information.