Military collectors keep eye out for drums

Collectors seek out military antiques to preserve veterans’ stories and honor historic heroes. Civil War drums are some of the rarest of these antiques, and they convey powerful imagery along with their historical importance. A Civil War-era drum that sold for $2,783 at Donley Auctions was previously displayed in a museum. Still in excellent condition, it features bold blue trim and is decorated with a painted eagle and shield, as well as all 13 stars representing the Union.

These drums were usually painted with patriotic images; eagles were, of course, one of the most popular symbols for both Union and Confederate forces. There is a visual cue that can help collectors tell them apart: Designs on Union drums usually include 13 stars, while Confederate drums have 11. However, there were no standards or regulations for how drums were decorated, so, like many hints for identifying antiques, these cues are not always 100% accurate.

Still, one visual cue from Civil War drums carries some of their most poignant significance. Civil War drums, which are usually about 12 to 14 inches deep and 16 inches in diameter, are visibly smaller than drums from earlier American wars. This is because Civil War drummer boys were younger. (There are also claims that some “drummer boys” were girls who disguised themselves as boys to join the army. While there are confirmed cases of women who served in the army as men during the Civil War, the stories of “drummer girls” have been contested.) There are records of boys joining the army as drummers as young as 9 years old.

While these might have made exciting stories for children, they are also important reminders of the dangers and tragedy of war. Drummers were in dangerous positions and were the youngest casualties of many Civil War battles.

Q: Upon my grandma’s death, I received a brooch given to her by her mother’s mother that has been reported as being a brooch worn by mourning widows of the Civil War. The time frame would certainly fit that. I have not had success finding someone to look at the piece for me. Would you happen to have any suggestions?

A: Mourning jewelry was extremely popular in the United States at the time of the Civil War, and more broadly from about 1820 to the 1880s. The death toll of the war, the sentimentality of the Victorian era, especially its mourning traditions, and the Industrial Revolution introducing manufacturing methods that allowed for fairly inexpensive, accessible jewelry were all factors.

Generally, if you want to identify or appraise a piece of antique jewelry, we recommend contacting a jeweler or antique dealer in your area. Because your brooch is so old and a specialized type of jewelry, you may want to contact an auction house that handles jewelry. Many major auction houses provide free assessments or appraisals, can conduct them remotely from photographs, and have their contact information online.

Q: I have a six-place dinner setting of Noritake Folkstone china. There are plates, saucers, mugs, and side plates, plus a milk jug and a medium serving bowl and platter. I am downsizing and looking to sell it. Can you tell me the possible value?

A: Folkstone was a stoneware line of dinnerware by Noritake, a popular porcelain manufacturer in Japan, about 1970. Muted, earthy colors, a more “natural” or rustic look, and casual table settings were growing popular about that time, and folk art, especially stoneware pottery, was gaining recognition as an art form and collectible. The Folkstone line fit in with these trends.

Complete sets of vintage dinnerware can be difficult to sell and usually go for fairly low prices. We have seen groupings of an individual type of Folkstone dish (for example, a group of six dinner plates) sell for about $30 to $75, depending on the condition and pattern. Serving pieces sell for about $20 to $50 each. You may want to look up matching services that buy and sell antique and vintage china and silverware. They often buy vintage dinnerware sets and may pay more than you would get from an antiques dealer, consignment store, or auction.

TIP: Never wash vintage silk, satin, banners, flags or embroideries. The dyes may fade, and the lightweight fabrics wear out very quickly.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Kovels answers readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, (Name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.