United States Military Drums 1945-1865, A Pictorial Survey, by G. Craig Caba. Civil War Antiquities (1977 PB).

This extremely rare and autographed book was sold in February 2009 for $295. I've removed the link because Harry's copy was apparently the only copy available anywhere on the Web. I'm leaving the listing here for historical purposes, as the book may still be found in some libraries. Only a thousand softcover copies were published in 5-1/4 x 8-1/4-inch format. Text featured pictures of military drums throughout six chapters, with chapter 7 being a "Manual for Drumming” that included several pages of drum music. A directory of drum makers and dealers rounded out this unique book.

Percussion Instruments and Their History, by James Blades. Bold Strummer (1992 Revised 2nd edition)

Harry's beautiful copy of this book sold for $175; but Amazon may have another copy in time. There are earlier editions of this book on the Web, but few of this revised edition. First published in the UK in 1971, this book by a celebrated British percussionist quickly became one of the standard works on percussion instruments. Historians and musicologists loved its lavish photographs and drawings. (See the other Blades book in Harry's Collection, below.)

This book tells the story of the part played by drummer boys and drum majors, side drums, and kettledrums in the British Army. Text pages are bright, printed on a glossy stock that shows off the book's many photographs, several of which are in color. A book any drummer would love!

THE TRUMPET AND DRUM, by Sousa--A Book of Instruction for the Field-Trumpet and Drum Signals Now in Use in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

Sousa was the bandmaster for the U.S. Marine Corps when this book was first published in 1886. This sweet little 1961 reprint of Sousa's book is a true collector's item, and it appears to be the ONLY like-new copy anywhere on the Web. This very rare reprint was published by W. F. L. Drum Company in 1961, five years before the company was bought out by Ludwig. The cover, which may appear tattered, is actually designed to replicate the appearance of the 1886 edition in Ludwig's collection. Measuring 4-1/2 x 5-1/2 in.. with 23 bright pages, it is remains in like-new condition.

This very rare book, originally published in the UK by Faber & Faber, is the First Quality Book Club Edition printed and bound in England in 1978. A center section features 36 photos on glossy page stock; fronticepiece has an original drawing of the author. In this memoir, Blades tells his fascinating life tale, from his adventures as a circus and dance band drummer, and his experiences in film studios (it was he who made the actual sound of the Rank Organization's gong), to his career on the concert stage. Blades hoped to live to 100 so he could experience the music of A.D. 2000, but he died in 1999 at the age of 97.

Edward B. Straight’s American Drummer, Enlarged Tenth Edition. 124 pages. 3-1/2 x 9-1/2 in. Paper wrapper. This extremely rare Frank's Drum Shop  Edition was probably purchased by Harry sometime in the early sixties. Like every other Chicago percussionist of that era, Harry spent many happy hours at this famous drum shop. (You can find over 300,000 references to Frank’s on the Web.) Owner Maurie Lishon died in 1997.

LEFT: Harry, whose sense of humor was as
legendary as his musical talent, hams it up during the break at a Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra rehearsal.

For many articles related to percussion, and to meet some legendary percussionists of Harry's era, visit The Drummer Drives website, companion to Barbara's memoir, THE DRUMMER DRIVES, EVERYBODY ELSE RIDES--The Musical Life and Times of Harry Brabec, Legendary Chicago Symphony Percussionist and Humorist.