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New WMP from 1963 Last viewed: 4 hours ago

Posts: 520 Threads: 167

So I got this old Ludwig kit, and the people who sold it had a giant drawer full of drum sticks and random stuff. When I went through the whole drawer later that night, there was a letter from Ludwig dated 1963, January. The letter answers a few questions (both from the letter, and things that were said about the kit from the sellers) and included in this envelope were 5 or 6 pieces of new WMP sections! They have been covered up in the envelope for the last 40 years or so, and they aren't faded at all!!

I'm not real sure what to do with these things, I don't know if they are worth anything, but it is really neat to see the true color of these WMP.

Thoughts and comments always appreciated.

-Kevin

1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22,13,16,18, WFL BR Snare WMP
1951-52 Slingerland Radio King Krupa Outfit 24,13,16 Champagne Sparkle
1960s/70s Polaris MIJ 20,12,16 Red Sparkle
2005 Gretsch Catalina Club WMP First Run
2008 Pearl Masters MCX 20,10,12,14f,16f & 14 Diamond Glitter
1999 Yamaha Stage Custom 22,10,12,14r,16f. Marina Green

...& many more...
Posted on 17 years ago
#1
Posts: 3268 Threads: 715

Yes, they are.

Is it Ludwig letter head? Is it signed by someone from Ludwig?

Clarify the letter a little more.

David

Posted on 17 years ago
#2
Posts: 520 Threads: 167

I have scanned a copy of the letter I recieved. I erased the name and address for privacy reasons to the family. Letter is signed by Richard Gerlach as you can see at the bottom.

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letter.jpg
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1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22,13,16,18, WFL BR Snare WMP
1951-52 Slingerland Radio King Krupa Outfit 24,13,16 Champagne Sparkle
1960s/70s Polaris MIJ 20,12,16 Red Sparkle
2005 Gretsch Catalina Club WMP First Run
2008 Pearl Masters MCX 20,10,12,14f,16f & 14 Diamond Glitter
1999 Yamaha Stage Custom 22,10,12,14r,16f. Marina Green

...& many more...
Posted on 17 years ago
#3
Posts: 3268 Threads: 715

Very cool letter and with the swatches and envelope I would say probably $50 - $100.

I have a bunch of different letters in my collection.

Click Here

If you decide to sell it let me know...

David

Posted on 17 years ago
#4
Posts: 679 Threads: 8

That is very cool indeed. I have some letter envelopes that have the date stamps on them and one of the postal stamps has Wm F. Ludwigs head on it! I would love to see that unfaded pearl sometime.

"wfl does not stand for world football league!"
Posted on 17 years ago
#5
Posts: 520 Threads: 167

I am in the process of getting pictures of the the newly restored Ludwig kit I have. I will make sure to get some pictures of the WMP unfaded in with the pictures.

1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22,13,16,18, WFL BR Snare WMP
1951-52 Slingerland Radio King Krupa Outfit 24,13,16 Champagne Sparkle
1960s/70s Polaris MIJ 20,12,16 Red Sparkle
2005 Gretsch Catalina Club WMP First Run
2008 Pearl Masters MCX 20,10,12,14f,16f & 14 Diamond Glitter
1999 Yamaha Stage Custom 22,10,12,14r,16f. Marina Green

...& many more...
Posted on 17 years ago
#6
Posts: 67 Threads: 28

I didn't realize that letters signed by WF Ludwig are collectable. After seeing a pic in MD showing Mr. Ludwig presenting a snare to Ringo(I think backstage at Ed Sullivan Show) I wrote asking if he would send me a signed copy of that pic w/ Ringo....told him that I'd been using Ludwig's all my life and learned on my Dad's 63 kit. He wrote a nice letter regarding Ludwigs etc along w/ the picture of Ringo and added another signed photo of himself in the boardroom... fortunately I saved those along w/ other nice signed stuff that I've hung in my teaching studio. Not that I'd ever sell, but is there a market for Wm. F. Ludwig signed items? I also have an early 70's Zildjian cataloge of famous artists of the time who use their brand, features, Bobby Colomby, Louis, Buddy, Alan Dawson, etc, I got it signed by my former teacher Alan Dawson and Buddy when he came to the legendary Lennie's on the Turnpike in Peabody, MA.

Posted on 17 years ago
#7
Posts: 3268 Threads: 715

For sure. The Ludwig family goes a long way back in history and they are important to the history of drums in the US. So items that are signed by him are worth something, exactly depends on what it is and when he signed it...

David

Posted on 17 years ago
#8
Posts: 679 Threads: 8

I have a N.A.R.D. card from the 40's signed by Wm F. Ludwig senior and James Burns Moore. That's kind of cool.

"wfl does not stand for world football league!"
Posted on 17 years ago
#9
Posts: 51 Threads: 0

Hey Nail,

I sent you a pm. Incase you didn't see it, I'll take those scraps of WMP off of you if you want to part with them. Let me know...

:::Ryan B
Posted on 17 years ago
#10
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