John C. Haynes
Haynes and Ditson
"In 1861 the firm of Oliver Ditson & Co. bought a bankrupt stock of musical instruments. There was no room in the Ditson store to accommodate this large stock, the purchase of which marked a new departure for the firm. A store was therefore rented, and, as it was thought unwise to have two stores in the same city under the name "Oliver Ditson & Co.," the new store designated "John C. Haynes & Co.," Mr. Haynes at that time being Mr. Ditson's only partner. The musical instrument branch has continued ever since as John C. Haynes & Co., but it has always been a department of the Ditson house. We shall remove January 1, 1904, to our new building, 150 Tremont street, with ample space for all departments under one roof. The reason, therefore, for having a separate name for the musical instrument branch no longer exists, and from that date John C . Haynes & Co. will become Department B of Oliver Ditson Company, with Mr. Charles Bobzin, for many years with Lyon & Healy, of Chicago, as manager." bostondrumbuilders.com
Because Haynes remained at his 33 Court St. address for many years, it becomes difficult, on occasion, to identify a specific date for a drum's manufacture. Therefore, one must look at the construction methods, hardware, artwork, and materials (wood) used to construct the instrument. As such, the drums chosen will share many characteristics which place them in the 1860s time period.
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16 1/2" diameter by 13 1/4" tall. Counter hoops 1 3/'8" tall.
The shell of the drum is secured by one row of iron nails, and a wooden insert has been placed in the vent. The shell is painted fully blue and eagle emblazonment is specific to the Boston area. An eagle perched on an American shield carrying a ribbon in its mouth, surrounded by gold painted stars.
A close-up of the tacked seam reveals an extremely thin section of wood. Most likely, this drum shell is plied and the outer most veneer was not only glued, but also nailed. The natural contracting and expanding of the wood has caused the nailed portion to ripple.
The hoops appear to have originally been drilled to accept rope, but iron hooks were placed over them. These types of hooks, with a distinct ridge, are seen during the Civil War. Another indication of the drum being manufactured in the 1860s.
16 1/2" diameter by 11 1/2" tall.
The shell of this drum is painted red and decorated with an eagle perched on an American shield and cannon. It carries a golden ribbon with the phrase "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Surrounding the eagle are thirty-two gilt painted stars. The drum has been put together incorrectly. The bottom counter hoop is on the top, and the ears are positioned to tension the drum from
The shell may have been slightly cut down, but the entire label still exists. It reads, "MASSACHUSETTS/ DRUM MANUFACTORY./ JOHN C. HAYNES & CO./ 33 Court Street, Boston,/ WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS IN/ SHEET MUSIC, Musical Instruments & Musical Merchandise/ Of Every Description/ Particular attention paid to repairing Musical Instruments."
This eagle motif is unique to the Boston area. Regionally speaking, painted motifs can be traced to an area, not always a maker, but certainly a city.
17" diameter by 9 1/2" tall.
This drum has been cut down considerably from the top and bottom. The diameter most likely being measured from hoop to hoop, leaving the actual shell diameter to be in the 16" range. The eagle motif is identical to the ones seen above.
A close-up of the overlap shows a single row of round-headed nails was used to secure the overlap. Judging from the scarf joint, this shell was most likely a steam bent piece of wood. The bottom portion of the leather braces have also been detached, most likely from being pulled downward to tension the drum heads.
As with the first two examples, this drum also carries the "Massachusetts Drum Manufactory" style label.
This drum also displays the eagle design shown on the above examples. The counter hoops are painted a dark blue or black and are drilled for eight holes.
Another example of the same eagle motif. The hoops are either replacements or have stripped of their original color, and the vent insert is missing.
Most "Massachusetts Drum Manufactory" labeled drums have a strainer. These are made from brass and have a thumb screw to allow the guts to be tightened at the player's discretion.
It is my belief that drums carrying the "Massachusetts Drum Manufactory" label date from 1861-1865. This label shows a handwritten note dated 1863. The drum is part of Brian Hill's collection, and while the drum was not made by Haynes, it was repaired in his shop.
This style of label dates to the 1880s.
Other Haynes' labels can be dated by comparing the style of instrument that appears on the label to the Haynes catalog. Even though this label contains the "33 Court St." address, the drum pictured is from the 1880s.
This Haynes bass drum was carried by Spears Brass Band from Rye, New Hampshire. It is a large bass drum measuring 30" in diameter.
The shell of the bass drum is made from solid steam bent maple. The seam, as on other Haynes labeled drums, is secured with copper nails.
The label displays what was known as a "Prussian drum" in the Hanyes music catalog of 1883. This detail helps date the drum to the later part of the 19th century.
An iron eyelet is attached to the shell, and reinforced on the interior, for attaching a single carry hook from the players "drum belt."
Leather braces with stamped five point stars are also found in the catalogue. Advertised as "Drum Ears" and being made from the "best oak-tanned leather."
The image to the right is of Spear's Brass Band from Rye, New Hampshire. In the center is the drum described above.
Woodbury Jenness- snare drum, Oliver Trefethen-bass drum, Frank Caswell- cymbals, L.E. Walker, Chas Trefethen; Spears Brass Band arranged 1888; Charles Spear= man in cap with cornet. Rhris Rand- Third from left."