Photograph: Courtesy Of Society Of Illustrators

Known as “the dean of illustrators,” Al Parker (1906–1985) produced dozens of best-selling Ladies’ Home Journal covers, many of which depicted an identically dressed mother and daughter engaged in some heartwarming homemaking. (Hey, it was the ’40s.) Back in his college days, however, Parker paid his tuition to Washington University’s School of Fine Arts by moonlighting as a jazz drummer in St. Louis nightclubs. He continued playing well into adulthood, jamming with fellow artists Norman Rockwell, Al Dorne, Coby Whitmore and Ben Stahl—all of whom signed the bass drum he kept in his studio. Other famous friends who autographed the instrument included King of Swing Benny Goodman, big-band legend Gene Krupa and silver-screen siren Gene Tierney. The tradition continued even after Parker’s death: The Society of Illustrators had Al Hirschfeld and Tony Bennett affix their John Hancocks to the drum’s underside. (Good thing Parker didn’t play the piccolo.) The instrument is now is on permanent display at the Society’s Museum of American Illustration (128 E 63rd St between Park and Lexington Aves, societyillustrators.org).