Whew!!
Well, as the originator of this post, I would like to thank all who have replied so far.
My question was answered with the early responses, although my question was poorly stated by me.
The intent of my question was actually to address drums, not people, as "collectors" or "players".
I wanted to get a reading of how you folks view vintage drums not just necessarily in terms of monetary value, but historical value and importance to yourselves, and how that is affected by the condition of the drums.
Obviously, the post has received some rich responses.
To share my personal experience and thoughts, maybe I had developed the impression that for some, the "perfectly collectible" vintage kit or drum would be the one that is as close as possible to the factory fresh/mint/new condition right-out-of-the-box kit or drum that one wanted but never received as a child. I know that I had a lot of those wants. Maybe that impression is really a reflection of myself.
I am very fortunate to have been able to accumulate a few vintage kits over the years, all of which I have greatly appreciated. Most are imperfect. I perhaps was beginning to wonder about the importance that their imperfections might have to observers, without fully appreciating the importance to myself the opportunity to enjoy the drums while in my possession.
Thought - is it possible that “historical value” could be in the eyes of the beholder, perhaps the one who is appreciating the imperfections and wondering or imagining what thought process or set of circumstances might have taken place so many decades ago to have created that imperfection?
How about an early Gretsch jazz kit that was thrown in the trunk of a taxi in New York City to make a gig in mid-fifties? We're talking about the invention of the 20" bass drum to replace the 26" bass drum to accommodate this!
How about Ringo Starr walking into Ivor Arbitor's shop, and choosing the Ludwig Downbeat kit in Black Oyster Pearl because he liked it and it was in stock! (He originally wanted plain black but it was a six-week special order). That day changed the Ludwig Drum Company and their employees and the future of drummers all over the world forever!
The paper tags in my mid-sixties Rogers Holiday Dayton toms are signed by "Roy" - I'm sure with pride.
If you read the books written about the great American drum companies, you can gain great insight into the companies and their strategies, their endorsees and their employees of the time.
We may not celebrate these things on a national basis, but that doesn't mean they are not historically significant.
Your responses to this post have provided me with a reinforcement of my opinion that the drums of yesterday all have their own important history, deserve our respect, and can provide us with great pleasure, regardless of their condition - and although we may never know exactly what that history was, we know that their imperfections are a reflection of the experience they have provided to their owners throughout the years, and will continue to do so.
To me, this means that over time, we as well will eventually have become a part of their history (and they a part of ours). Moreover, if cared for they will likely survive us, to serve those who possess them in the future.
Thanks again for your responses!
John
