Leedy Drum Topics compilation book

Description

8.5x11 paperback, 476 pages
Leedy Manufacturing, founded by U.G. Leedy, was one of the world’s largest drum manufacturers in the early 1920s. U.G. Leedy recruited George Way to  restructure Leedy’s distribution from direct-to-consumer to a network of authorized retailers across the country. The other primary charge for Way was to establish an advertising plan.  Way combined the tasks through the periodical he established, the Leedy Drum Topics. Through the Topics, Way established a relationship with Leedy’s dealer network. It was clear that the paper was meant to support not only Leedy, but the local Leedy dealers. Dealers were encouraged to submit photos and stories featuring not only their stores, but also local drummers and percussionists. Each issue of the Topics included news of new product introductions, endorser photos and news, playing tips, and even editorials such as the effect that movies with sound would have on the theater drummer profession. Publication of the Topics continued into the Conn era in 1929, but on a much more limited scale; 17 issues were published in the 1920s, 10 issues were published by Conn in the 1930s, and the last issue was published in 1941.