Hi all,
I know these Ludwig 100 year anniversary Triumphals are pretty well known amongst collectors but there are some little known facts that you may enjoy and that add to the story.
2009 LUDWIG 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 6.5 x 14 GOLD PLATED/ENGRAVED TRIUMPHAL MODEL #1912
A FEW FACTOIDS:
Adrian Kirchler (AK Drums, Italy) was originally commissioned to produce 100 drums to commemorate Ludwig’s 100 year anniversary. Only 43 (maybe 44?) collectors stepped up and ordered the drum. Personally, I don’t understand why more people didn’t order this drum but that’s just my own opinion.
This fact is pretty well known but just in case… the drums were numbered starting with 1909; 1909 = #1, 1910 = #2 etc. I got #1912, the third one issued to the public. Number 1909 is still at the Ludwig factory so I’m told.
Before the drums were produced Modern Drummer Magazine had an advertisement for the 100 year anniversary Triumphal that offered the option of having your name engraved on the top rim. The advertisement was only around for a few issues and then was never seen again. I was able to get my name engraved on the top rim of my drum along with my good friend Bun E. Carlos. I’m not sure how many others went for this option.
As these drums were being produced I had asked AK if he was going to engrave the lugs like the original Triumphal models have. I don’t remember his immediate answer but I found out later. What AK did was very cool, he told me that he engraved the lugs on the 100 Year Anniversary Triumphals that were ordered by owners who also owned original Ludwig Triumphal models. In 2009 there were 6 different owners of the 10 known Triumphals and of those 6 only 3 ordered the Anniversary Triumphal; Bun E. Carlos, Robert Campbell and myself. I have always felt that this was a classy tribute to owners of original Triumphal models.
You will notice from a side view that the drums look like they have calf heads; these are modern day heads. AK found a spray paint that approximated the look of a calf head flesh hoop, a nice aesthetic touch from Adrian Kirchler, Master Artisan.
Many years ago AK contacted me and introduced himself. I remember that he asked me to send photos of some of my engraved snare drums which I was more than happy to do. I am pretty sure that the engraving pattern on the Ludwig 100 Year Anniversary Triumphal comes from one of my original Triumphals. NB: The photo of the Super-Ludwig is the engraving pattern that I think was used for the 100 Year Anniversary Triumphal Models.
Enjoy!
Mike Curotto