Description: PATRIOTIC TOY DRUM WITH OVAL PATRIOTIC SHIELDS AND Stars, UnSIGNED but attributed to "CONVERSE," WINCHENDON, MASSACHUSETTS, CA 1890-1900: This patriotic child's toy snare drum was around 1900. Morton Converse was from Winchendon Massachusetts and was a Civil War veteran. Converse was a woodenwares maker who began making toys in 1878. When his daughter was ill, he desired to buy her a toy, but when he went to the local stores, there were none available. He made her various toys and his first large exhibition of his work was at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, where he won a gold metal. Held in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Columbus's landing, this was a patriotic event requiring souvenir's that would appeal to the fair's massive attendance. Soon afterward came the Spanish-American War (1898), which drove American patriotism well beyond its normal level. Either of these events would serve as ample reason for the former Union soldier, Converse, to produce patriotic toys. Prior to the Chicago World's Fair he had acquired a failed metal manufactory and began to produce tin pails, drums, and other tin toys. This particular drum is especially attractive, with a color-litographed and painted, brass plated shell. The primary imagery consists of 4 oval patriotic shields with fancifully scrolling frames that resemble carousel art. This drum retains one original head although it has a substantial hole in it. The other head has been replaced with an esthetically pleasing black fabric and can easily be replaced if desired. Surface does show wear commensurate with age but is an excellent rare example of this maker's work. See pics
Price: 250 USD
Location: Boyne City, Michigan
End Time: 2024-11-11T19:29:43.000Z
Shipping Cost: 22 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Type: toy drum
Signed: Unsigned
Date of Creation: 1800-1899
Original/Reproduction: Original
Material: Metal
Region of Origin: US-Northeast
