Description
A collection of lithographic print panels on paper, used to decorate the shells of Noble & Cooley toy drums, about 1892. One of the panels commemorated the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World in 1892. Another depicted the 1893 Columbian Exposition which also commemorated the anniversary. One panel depicts the Palmer Johnson "Brownies" cartoon characters, popular in newspapers at the time. The remaining panels feature patriotic themes.
The Noble & Cooley company was founded in 1852 and remains in business, making high quality professional drums. The panels shown here are framed and hang in the N&C office at 42 Water Street in Granville.