john Lowell
Manufacturer of Musical Instruments and Fancy Goods
John Lowell is listed as an "umbrella maker" in the 1859 Bangor Business directory. In 1864, his profession had changed to "jeweler." But an advertisement from the 1864 directory shows the diversity of goods he offered from clocks, watches, and jewelry, to drums, guitars, violins, fifes, and even soaps and brushes.
14” Diameter by 10” Tall
The drum consists of a maple shell which has aged to a reddish brown color. The larger size of the vent hole, as well as other examples, leads me to think that some sort of vent insert existed on this drum as some point, but has fallen out.
The dark counter hoops are drilled for eight holes, which is common for drums of a smaller diameter. Holes drilled into the counter hoop above the snare gate indicate that a strainer was in place.
As seen on the left, John Lowell offered a variety of goods not limited to instruments, including umbrellas, parasols, and canes. Repair services are also mentioned on this label.
17 ¼” Diameter by 14” Tall
A plain maple shell is decorated with red, white, and blue painted vertical lines and five pointed stars. The seam is secured with a single row of iron nails. The vent hole is adorned with an ivory/bone vent insert and is also surrounded by a blue painted star with 8 points.
A variety of leather braces exist on the drum from simple tab style to the more complicated heat shaped. The drum is roped upside-down, or the hoops have been switched. It is hard to say for sure without looking inside to see where the snare beds have been cut.
The label is identical to that of the previous example, albeit in worse shape, and is perfectly readable.
16 1/4" Diameter by 15 1/4" Tall
The body of the drum is brass painted blue, with red wooden hoops drilled for nine holes. New rope, some replacement leather braces, and what appears to be a new snare stainer have been added during restoration.
"The front of the drum has a portrait of George Washington done on canvas and then cut into an oval and applied to the drum." Guns International
This label differs from the previous two and is quite aged, most likely due to the interaction with the brass.