Hello Forum,
First time here.
My Dad was a professional drummer for many years (as was I).
He was with Benny Goodman when he was 19 years old. He went on to tour and record with Bob Crosby, Stan Kenton and many others.
He settled in L.A. about 1949 and began working in the studios. He was under contract at Universal - when they had such things. He worked in L.A. until he retired from music about 1973.
I have had 2 of his snare drums since 1973 - they have been stored. I know these drums are quite unique and possibly quite valuable. One of them is a Leedy & Ludwig Piccolo snare, 4 x 13. The other looks like a Ludwig Super Sensitive, although there isn't any Ludwig marking on it. Both of them still have the calf heads that he played.
My Dad used these drums on nearly every film Universal produced from 1950 to 1972, as well as films and television shows at MGM and Fox. In fact, the Super Sensitive was played by him on the film "Spartacus", including a very exposed solo section in the Overture of the film. I believe he also used it on "How The West Was Won".
I'm wondering how I would go aboout getting a realistic appraisal of these drums?
He also has (in my possession) a Pre-Communist Chinese hand-hammered gong, which like the snare drums, can be heard on probably hundreds of films.
Any ideas for appraisal and selling would be greatly appreciated.
Ken
