Welcome to Day 16 of 25 Days of Vintage Summer and Patriotic Art!

Here’s yet another cool illustration from my 1912 encyclopedia set. I’m a little curious as to why the editors thought that a snare drum called for an illustration, especially when so many other things went unpictured. But this drum is almost iconic when it comes to thinking of early 4th of July celebrations – I can just hear that fife in my head as the military drum corps march off to war!

Old Ink Drawing of a Patriotic Drum - Click for larger clip art file

Interestingly, drums were used extensively in the military from the 16th to 19 centuries. It was customary for each company of 100 or so men to be assigned 2 fifers and 2 drummers to sound signals, hours & alarms, as well as play music on the march. That’s really, really hard to imagine happening today —

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