Benny Goodman Autograph, Dance Program University of Illinois, Huff Gymnasium, 1949. Sweet! This is a wonderful little treasure and the Benny Goodman (known as ‘The King of Swing’) autograph is signed within a dated Senior Ball dance program, May 13, 1949. “Music by Benny Goodman” is printed inside as well, located on the last page.

The class name, “49ers” is printed in black on the metallic silver cardstock cover and there is a black silk cord with tassel attached as a page marker. The Dance Theme is “All That Glitters” and the page is covered with an over-page that is textured plastic which glitters in the light. The next page lists “Senior Class Officers” with the “Ball Committee” on the opposite page. Beneath the Committee names is where Benny Goodman signed his name! Following are 3 pages of Patrons and Patronesses with Governor and Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson topping the list. Finally, there is a page titled “Golden Memoirs” where the young man who purchased the tickets to the Ball wrote a note to his date.

“33! My Dearest Darling: Words cannot very well express how I feel tonight. I believe tonight was the best of the 33 – why? You (beautiful as ever & even more so in your evening gown) My Senior Ball (the big one before graduation) and because I Love You. Dancing, listening, just being with you made the evening perfect. Here is another thought – cloud 3 is getting closer to cloud No. 2. I hope that we reach No. 2 very shortly. About 700 away. Dick”

Reading this makes me wonder aloud – Did they travel through life together after 1949?

SIZE: 4” high x 2” wide. Tassel has an 8” drop.

MARKS: Signed Benny Goodman on the Ball Committee page.

CONDITION: Very Good. There are corner bumps and small indent marks on front and back covers (more on back). They appear as narrow dents. The only writing is the Benny Goodman signature and the “Memoir” by the original owner. Paper page edges project slightly out from the heavy card cover and have bumps. There are no tears.

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