Beginning in 1825, John Ashton began selling drums and other musical instruments in his store. This was quite an odd combination of goods, but began somewhat of a trend in the Boston area for nearly two decades. The next Bostonian, and umbrella maker, was Frederick Lane who worked on Court St. from 1821-1837. And finally Henry Prentiss, also on Court St, began offering drums and musical instruments starting in 1834.
16" diameter by 15 1/2" tall.
Label reads, "John Ashton & Co. / Music, Umbrella, Parasol, and Cane Store, / No. 197, Washington Street, / Near the Old South Church, / Boston."
Two tiger maple sticks accompany the drum, but would be difficult to determine their exact age, and whether they were actually used with the drum.
A close-up of the painting shows the font of the phrase, "E Pluribus Unum," which is painted on a blue field between the eagle's outstretched wings.
The label indicates a manufacture date of 1834-1843, according to Boston City Directory addresses.
The tack design is reminiscent to that of Abner Stevens. A large bone vent insert adorns the center of two concentric circles of brass tacks. Tacks arranged in a diamond shape stand above and below the vent. One single vertical row of tacks spans the length of the overlap, and three groups of tacks run parallel to the seam on the opposing side.
"Frederick Lane's Music Store was at 92 Court St. (opposite of the Old Court House) from 1820-44. He had bought out N. H. Henchman's Music Shop at 79 State St. in April 1813. He manufactured bass drums for the militia, wind instruments and violins. By the 1830, he also made umbrellas at his shop on Court St."
Source: 1855 Court St Boston BPL 08 02 003376-1 detail2Public Domain Author unknown - Bos
Label reads, "FOR SALE AT / FREDERICK LANE's/ Musical Magazine,? No. 92 COURT STREET - BOSTON, FOLLOWING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, Bass Drums; Tenor Drums, Bass Viols; Vio-lins; Clarionets; Flutes; Hauthoys Fife[s]; Bassoons; Bu- [missing;] Trumpets; French [illegible], &c, [illegible] &c [illegible] ...gs, reeds - and Instruction Books. [missing]
[missing], which we will sell on [missing]"
24 7/16 diameter by 23 5/8" tall.
This bass drum is part of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts collection. Their website attributes the drum to Frederick Lane. According to their website, the drum was made between 1813-1819.
24” diameter by 22 ½” tall.
"Painted with a view of Massassoit beneath a raised arm brandishing a sword, encircled by a red banner inscribed with the state motto "ENSE PETIT PLACIDEN SUB LIBERTATE QUIETEM (With the Sword We Seek Peace, But Only Under Liberty)".
The interior bearing a partial paper label inscribed "Frederick Lane Keeps Constantly For Sale at His Music Store at No. 79 State Street, Boston, Bassoons with Trumpets, Bird Organs, Tenor Violins...." Frederick Lane was at the address listed on the label of the drum between 1813-1819.
This advertisement was taken from an 1832 Boston City Directory. As seen here, along with musical instruments, Lane also sold "ivory billiard balls, sword canes, walking canes, and umbrellas."
Label reads in part, “HENRY PRENTISS/ No. 23 Court-Street-Boston/ Keeps Constantly for Sale/ Umbrellas, parasols, and musical instruments/ ….Drum Sticks all Prices,/ ….Bass Drums – Common Military,”
Prentiss is listed in the Boston directories at 23 Court Street from 1825-1827. From 1828-1833, he is listed as being at 52 Court Street, but in 1834 he had a pianoforte and music store at Pemberton Hil
16 9/16" diameter by 14" tall.
The Prentiss labeled drum is part of Boston's Fine Arts Museum's collection. According to their website, the drum dates to about 1834. Though the shell of the drum may date to 1834, the counter hoops, iron hooks, rope, and leather braces are certainly modern additions.
17" diameter by 18" tall.
"The drum is painted with the seal of the First Corps of Cadets organized in 1726 as a bodyguard unit to the royal governor of the Province of Massachusetts." Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Collections.
Made by Henry Prentiss and painted by Charles Hubbard.
(fielddrumsblogspot.com)
A very wordy label reads in part, "PAINO-FORTE AND MUSIC STORE./ HENRY PRENTISS,/ HAS CONSTANTLY ON HAND, AND FOR SALE AT HIS STORE,/ COURT -52-STREET,'"
Part of the Boston Fine Arts Museum's Collection. Thought to be painted by Charles Hubbard.
Signed and dated below the shield, “Painted by Ch. Hubbard, / Boston 1824.”
16 ½” diameter by 13” tall.
"This drum was carried by Avery Deane (1789-1861) of Plympton, Massachusetts, in the Hanover Rifle Company. This Rifle Company was formed in 1816 and included men from several local towns. This drum was donated to the Hanover Historical Society by Avery Deane’s great-grand niece." (Hanover Historical Society)
"Portrait and commercial painter, Charles Hubbard was working in Boston from the late 1820's to c.1869. In 1834 he advertised as a sign and ornamental painter, and painter of military standards and masonic regalia. He moved to other professions, but continued to paint seascapes along the New England coast until as late as 1869."
askart.com
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