Bass drum used by David "Panama" Francis

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

Bass Drum with "Panama Francis" on the front head. Iridescent white shell that resembles mother-of-pearl. Manufactured by the WFL Drum Company. Small metal plaque on drum shell with a round hole in the center has lettering that reads [WFL / DRUM CO / 1728 N. DAMEN AVE. / CHICAGO, U.S.A.] Rims are black plastic with center band of material matching shell. Four (4) pieces of white felt are stuck into the rims, two (2) on the front rim and two (2) on the back. Drum has twenty (20) silver lugs, ten (10) around the front rim and ten (10) around the back. Each has [WPL] engraved on the side. Drum has a silver handle on the top; shell is cracked around the handle. Front head has black text that reads [REMO / WEATHER KING / BASS DRUM / MADE IN U.S.A. / PANAMA / FRANCIS / MANNY'S MUSIC / 48TH ST. / N.Y.C.

Explore Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture ↗