Maker Name

Premier

Maker Biography

Premier is an English firm of percussion instrument makers founded in London in 1922 by Alberto della Porta (d1965) who was a dance band drummer. Following his death, Alberto was succeeded by his sons Clifford, Raymond and Gerald, who were involved with the firm until 1983. Under the three brothers, the firm produced a wide variety of percussion instruments, most notably the pedal timpani. By the end of the 20th century, Premier was a key manufacturer of percussion instruments on a global level.

Other Information

General usage of type: Dance band performance.

Technical Description

Dance drummer's console; framework on wheels with trap tray; equipped to mount bass drum, side drum, tom-toms, cymbals (on goose-necks) and miscellaneous kit. Console comprises four vertical curved arms: connected two at the front, two at the rear by pressed steel horizontal beams. The tops of the four arms are connected to the four corners of the trap tray. The lower horizontal beam on each side is fitted with casters to support the console. The four corners have adjustable clips to secure the rim of the bass drum. The rear two vertical beams carry on the right side two adjustable tom-tom mounting attachments, and on the left side a single tom-tom mount, and an adjustable aluminium casting. The latter has a hinged arm attached and carries the adjustable side drum stand.The upper horizontal beam each side has three vertical holes with thumbscrew clamps to mount the cymbal support arms. There are three of these, two are `gooseneck' type that suspend a cymbal from above, the third is a vertical cymbal rod. All are adjustable in the mounting holes for height and rotation.The trap tray has been covered in towelling and carries eight chromed instrument mounting rods. The edges of the trap tray are steel. The underside of the trap tray is fitted with two bass drum tensioner posts and clamps with a screw rod. The latter is used to secure the top of the bass drum rim to the underside of the tray (and may be a modification).The rearmost casters are fitted with brakes and the lower end of each of the front vertical arms is fitted with a boss carrying an adjustable spur to prevent movement of the console. The whole assembly is dismountable to fit in a modest-sized case. Signature marks: Front edge of trap tray has logo "PREMIER"; side drum mounting has "PREMIER" cast into it in vertically aligned letters. Tops of frame painted "L1", "L2", "R1", "R2" for assembly purposes. Repair History: The trap tray is now secured with square nuts but would originally have had thumbscrews, as would all the other joints in the assembly. The whole assembly was originally chromed but is now badly pitted and all the metalwork has been painted silver.

Provenance

ex- Wally Gurr.; Purchased with assistance from the Government's Local Museums Purchase Fund, 1984.