Awards, certificates, citations, decrees, diplomas, invitations, letters, medals, notifications, prizes, proclamations, resolutions, scrolls, testimonials, and other articles presented to Duke Ellington in recognition of his achievements. Among the awards are appointments, appreciations, fellowships, a Grammy Award nomination, honorary degrees, honorary memberships and citizenships, jazz polls, and a television tribute. Items of special interest include a Presidential Medal of Freedom, several pieces of original artwork (including one from Charles Schulz), piano music by Dave Brubeck dedicated to Duke Ellington, postage stamps issued by the Chad and Togolese Republics, a document certifying that five trees were planted in Israel honoring Duke Ellington, and numerous civic proclamations of "Duke Ellington Day." In addition, there is an anonymously compiled list of Ellington's honorary degrees.
The records document the recognition that Duke Ellington received from the academic, civic, international, musical, and political communities for his achievements as arranger, band leader, composer, diplomat, and musician, as well for his charismatic character and his general contributions to the human spirit.
The records are arranged chronologically. Undated items are located at the end of the series. Oversized items are physically located at the end of the series but are listed chronologically.
Box 1
Folder 1, NAACP, Certificate of Life Membership, February 11, 1939.
Box 6
Folder 1, Hobby Lobby Radio Program, Award of Merit, August 30, 1939.
Box 1
Folder 2, U.S. Treasury Department, Citations, August 29, 1942.
Box 8
Folder 1, United States Treasury Department, Citation of Recognition, August 29, 1942
Box 1
Folder 3, College of the City of New York, New York, Insignia, 1943.
Box 8
Folder 2, Younger Citizen's Coordinating Committee, Boston, Massachusetts, Testimonial of Appreciation, January 28, 1943.
Box 6
Folder 2, Howard University, Washington, D.C., Honorary Membership in Student Council, March 5, 1943.
Box 8
Folder 3, New York University James Weldon Johnson Society, Certificate of Merit, April 1943.
Box 1
Folder 4, Philco Radio Hall of Fame, Citation, April 16, 1944; 5, United States Treasury Department, Citation, December 20, 1944.
Box 8
Folder 4, Hampton Institute, Virginia, Omicron Social Club Honorary Membership, January 5, 1946; 5, New Masses, Awards Dinner, January 14, 1946.
Box 1
Folder 6, Newspaper Guild of New York, Recognition of a Contribution, May 5, 1948; 7, List of Honorary Degrees, 1949-1973; 8, Wilberforce University, Ohio, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, May 9, 1949; 9, NAACP, Scroll of Honors, January 21, 1951.
Box 6
Folder 3, Pyramid Club of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Testimonial of Appreciation, January 25, 1951.
Box 1
Folder 10, Minnesota, "Ambassador Extraordinary of the Duchy of Duluth," May 23, 1952; 11, "American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Salutes Duke Ellington," November 21, 1952 (click here to see a sample from this folder); 12, The Academy of Musical Recorded Arts and Sciences, "Honorary Membership for Creative Achievement in Recorded Arts," New York, New York, 1954; 13, Who is Who in Music Foundation, Membership Certificate, July 1, 1954; 14, Sociedad de Autores, Compositores y Editores de Musica de Puerto Rico, Honorary Membership, March 7, 1955; 15, Jacksonville, Florida, Honorary Citizenship, April 11, 1955; 16, Alpha Zeta Lambda Fraternity, Bluefield, West Virginia, Membership, April 28, 1955; 17, Station WMGM, New York, New York, Certificate of Award, August 2, 1955; 18, National Association of Negro Musicians, Certificate of Merit, September 18, 1955.
Box 6
Folder 4, City of Dodge City, Kansas, Appointment to Marshall of Dodge City, December 13, 1955.
Box 8
Folder 6, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, Certificate of Appreciation, April 17, 1956.
Box 6
Folder 5, Endorsements, Inc., Big Name Award, 1957; 6, Playboy Magazine, Certificate of Merit, 1957.
Box 1
Folder 19, Hot Club of France, "Grand Prix du Disque de Jazz 1957"; 20, Beta Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Citation, January 16, 1957; 21, Beta Eta Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Southern Illinois University, Citation of Achievement, January 26, 1957; 22, NAACP, Scroll of Honor, November 22, 1957.
Box 6
Folder 7, Playboy Magazine, Certificate of Merit, 1958.
Box 1
Folder 23, Delta Kappa Beta Fraternity, Honorary Membership, 1958; 24, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, Florida, "Honorary Membership in its Marching and Symphonic Bands," January 20, 1958.
Box 8
Folder 7, City of New Orleans, Louisiana, Proclamation of Honorary Citizenship, January 23, 1958.
Box 1
Folder 25, Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Leeds, England, Invitation to Reception, October 18, 1958; 26, Hot Clube de Portugal, Lisboa, Portugal, Diploma, October 26, 1958.
Box 6
Folder 8, Playboy Magazine, Certificate of Merit, 1959.
Box 1
Folder 27, Hot Club de France, "Grand Prix Mondials du Disques de Jazz 1960".
Box 8
Folder 8, Conseil Municipal de Paris, France, "Ami de Paris," 1960; 9, Conseil Municipal de Paris, France, "L'Accueil de Paris," c. 1960.
Box 1
Folder 28, NAACP, St. Paul Branch, Appreciation Award Certificate, March 23, 1960.
Box 6
Folder 9, Academie du Jazz, Paris, France, Prix "Fats" Waller, December 19, 1960.
Box 1
Folder 29, Paris, France, "Ami De Paris," December 21, 1960; 30, Boy Scouts of America, New York, Certificate of Appreciation, 1961-1962; 31, New Zealand, Fifth Annual Jazz Journal Poll, 1961.
Box 6
Folder 10, Club Internationale, Inc., Washington, D.C., Certificate of Honorary Membership, May 20, 1961; 11, Club Internationale, Inc., Washington, D.C., "Universal Brotherhood Award," May 20, 1961; 12, Playboy Magazine, Certificate of Merit, 1962.
Box 1
Folder 32, Hot Club de France, "Prix du Disque de Jazz 1962 Categorie Petit Orchestre 'Nouveautes" (click here to see a sample from this folder)
Box 8
Folder 10, Columbia Records, Chicago, Illinois, Award of Merit, March 15, 1962.
Box 6
Folder 13, Playboy Magazine, Certificate of Merit, 1963; 14, Dave Brubeck & Ed Colker, New York, New York, Piano Music, Drawings and Gravure in Portfolio, 1963.
Box 1
Folder 33, Hot Club de France, "Grand Prix du Disque de Jazz, 1963"; 34, Melody Maker, London, England, Jazz Poll Awards, Musician of the Year, Top Composer, Top Arranger, May 1963.
Box 9
Folder 1, Lyndon Johnson, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, "On This Hallowed Ground" Poster, May 30, 1963.
Box 6
Folder 15, Playboy Magazine, Certificate of Merit, 1964.
Box 1
Folder 35, Milton College, Wisconsin, Honorary Degree, June 7, 1964; 36, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Hollywood, California, Notification of Nomination for "Grammy" Award, 1965.
Box 6
Folder 16, Kansas City Jazz, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, Honorary Membership of Kansas City Jazz Hall of Fame, March 21, 1965.
Box 8
Folder 11, Grace Cathedral, Resolutions of Gratitude, September 19, 1965; 12, National Urban League Guild, New York, New York, Certificate of Tribute, November 14, 1965.
Box 1
Folder 37, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, "Best Original Jazz Composition," 1966.
Box 8
Folder 13, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, Honorary Membership in the Order of the Paul Revere Patriots, January 1, 1966.
Box 1
Folder 38, Alpha Kappa Alpha Society, The Cultural and Merit Award, Thirty Fifth Annual Conference Program, April 16, 1966; 39, Niigata, Japan, Honorary Citizenship, May 1, 1966; 40, White House, Washington, D.C., Invitation to Conference, June 2, 1966; 41, California College of Arts & Crafts, Oakland, California, Honorary Degree, June 11, 1966; 42, City of Boston, Massachusetts, Citation, July 22, 1966; 43, American Society for the Preservation of the Big Band Sound, Honorary Membership, September 15, 1966; 44, Oakland, California, "Duke Ellington Day," September 16, 1966.
Box 6
Folder 17, Order of the Good Time, Nova Scotia, Honorary Membership, 1967.
Box 8
Folder 14, Jazz Interactions, Inc., New York, New York, Master Musician Award, 1967.
Box 1
Folder 45, U.N.E.S.C.O., Republique du Tchad, Republique Togolaise, Postage Stamps, April 23, 1967; 46, Morgan State College, Baltimore, Maryland, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, May 1, 1967; 47, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, Doctor of Music, June 1967.
Box 1
Folder 48, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, June 12, 1967; 49, Jazz Interactions, Inc., Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, "Master Musician of the Century," October 7, 1967; 50, Marin County, California, "Duke Ellington Day," October 8, 1967.
Box 2
Folder 1, Rockford, Illinois, Honorary Citizenship, February 20, 1968; 2, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, New York, New York, Tenth Annual Grammy Awards Program Booklet, February 29, 1968; 3, Daytop Village Festival of Music, June 1968; 4, Columbia College, Chicago, Illinois, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, June 4, 1968; 5, Neighborhood House, Plainfield, New Jersey, Testimonial, June 23, 1968; 6, Township of Dover, New Jersey, "Francis Hopkinson Memorial Medallion," July 18, 1968.
Box 9
Folder 2, President Lyndon Johnson, Washington, D.C., Certificate of Appointment to National Council on the Arts, July 26, 1968.
Box 2
Folder 7, American Parkinsons Disease Association, New York, New York, "An Acrostic to Duke Ellington," October 30, 1968.
Box 8
Folder 15, Lady Bird Johnson, Adios Award, November 22-25, 1968.
Box 2
Folder 8, The New England Conservatory, Boston, Massachusetts, Invitation to Receive Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, March 24, 1969.
Box 6
Folder 18, Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Boston, Massachusetts, Honorary Fellowship, April 1969.
Box 2
Folder 9, Lucette and Robert Favreaux, Original Artwork, April 13, 1969; 10, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Certificate of Life Membership, April 22, 1969.
Box 6
Folder 19, President Richard Nixon, Washington, D.C., Presidential Medal of Freedom, April 29, 1969.
Box 2
Folder 11, Jewish National Fund, Five Trees Planted in Canada Friendship Forest, Israel, on Occasion of Duke's 70th Birthday, April 29, 1969.
Box 8
Folder 16, Most Holy Father Paul XI, The Vatican, Rome, Italy, Certificate of Apostolic Blessing, May 3, 1969.
Box 2
Folder 12, Mayor of New York City, New York, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," May 20, 1969; 13, Governor of the State of New York, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," May 26, 1969.
Box 8
Folder 17, State of New York, Albany, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," May 26, 1969; 18, City of New York, New York, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," May 26, 1969.
Box 2
Folder 14, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, June 2, 1969.
Box 8
Folder 19, Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, Jamaica, Resolution Granting Keys of the City, June 9, 1969; 20, Director of Tourism, Jamaica, Scroll of Friendship, June 11, 1969.
Box 2
Folder 15, Hampton Institute, Virginia, Centennial Medallion Citation, June 27, 1969; 16, Vassal Thomas "Evening of Elegance, Dinner and Dancing Under the Stars," July 25, 1969.
Box 7
Folder 1, Vassal Thomas, Evening of Elegance, New York, New York, Citation of Recognition, July 25, 1969.
Box 2
Folder 17, Mark Twain Journal, Kirkwood, Missouri, "A Knight of Mark Twain," August & October, 1969; 18, Union United Methodist Church, Brooklyn, 83rd Anniversary Program Booklet, October 1969.
Box 8
Folder 21, Palermo, Italy, "Trinacria d'oro," 1970; 22, Governor of Kentucky, Frankfurt, Kentucky, Commissioning as Kentucky Colonel, January 26, 1970.
Box 6
Folder 20, NAACP and New York State Conference Branches, New York, New York, Gala Evening Honoring Duke Ellington, February 23, 1970.
Box 8
Folder 23, City of Bardstown, Kentucky, Award of Honorary Citizenship, February 26, 1970; 24, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts, Award of Honorary Fellowship, May 13, 1970.
Box 2
Folder 19, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, Fellow Award, May 13, 1970; 20, American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York, New York, Ceremonial, May 26, 1970; 21, Christian Theology Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana, Doctor of Humane Letters, June 5, 1970; 22, Assumption College, Worcester, Massachusetts, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, June 19, 1970.
Box 8
Folder 25, State of Tennessee, Nashville, "Appointment to Colonel," September 25, 1970.
Box 2
Folder 23, Royal Swedish Academy of Music, Stockholm, Sweden, Membership Election, October 15, 1970.
Box 9
Folder 3, Svenska Musicaliska Academien, Stockholm, Sweden, October 15, 1970.
Box 6
Folder 21, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mississippi Valley State College, Citation for Meritorious Service, November 2, 1970.
Box 8
Folder 26, State of New Mexico, Santa Fe, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," November 24, 1970.
Box 9
Folder 4, City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," November 24, 1970.
Box 2
Folder 24, Thomas A. Dooley Foundation, New York, New York, Sixth Annual Splendid American Awards, December 10, 1970.
Box 3
Folder 1, Hot Club de France, Grand Prix du Disque de Jazz Cover Letter, February 23, 1971; 2, City of Burlington, Iowa, Proclamation of Appreciation, February 25, 1971; 3, Guild for Religious Architecture, Certificate of Election to Honorary Membership, April 22, 1971; 4, Berklee [sic] College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, May 22, 1971.
Box 8
Folder 27, Howard University, Washington, D.C., Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, June 1971.
Box 3
Folder 5, Howard University, Washington, D.C., Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, June 5, 1971; 6, Saint John's University, New York, New York, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, June 6, 1971; 7, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, June 14, 1971.
Box 4
Folder 1, Armstrong High School, Washington, D.C., Honorary Diploma of Graduation, June 17, 1971.
Box 7
Folder 2, Club de Jazz de Santiago, Santiago, Chile, "Socio Honorario," November 26, 1971.
Box 4
Folder 2, National Center of Afro-American Artists, Boston, Massachusetts, Declaration of Duke Ellington as a "Celebrate! Cultural Catalyst," 1972; 3, The First Niters, Detroit, Michigan, Citation of Appreciation, March 28, 1972; 4, New York Metro-News, New York, New York, Certificate of Recognition, April 1, 1972.
Box 8
Folder 28, Taurus Star Relatives, Seattle, Washington, Birthday Salute, April 29, 1972; 29, President Richard Nixon, Washington, D.C., Proclamation of Senior Citizens Month, May 1972.
Box 4
Folder 5, City of Jacksonville, Florida, Honorary Citizenship, May 16, 1972.
Box 7
Folder 3, City of Fort Worth, Texas, Proclamation of Honorary Citizenship, May 17, 1972.
Box 4
Folder 6, City of Boston, Massachussetts, Declaration of " Celebrate': Black Cultural Catalysts Days," June 9 & 10, 1972.
Box 8
Folder 30, State of Wisconsin, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Week," July 17-21, 1972; 31, Rider College, Trenton, New Jersey, Doctor of Arts Honorary Degree, September 10, 1972.
Box 4
Folder 7, Rider College, Trenton, New Jersey, Doctor of Arts Honorary Degree, Commencement Program, Commencement Address, Correspondence, September 10, 1972; 8, City of St. Charles, Illinois, Membership to the Honorary Order of Sons of Charlemagne, September 17, 1972; 9, City of Chicago, Illinois, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day in Chicago," September 23, 1972; 10, City of Knoxville, Tennessee, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," October 13, 1972.
Box 6
Folder 22, City of Knoxville, Tennessee, Honorary Citizenship, October 13, 1972.
Box 4
Folder 11, City of Baltimore, Maryland, Certificate of Honorary Citizenship, December 17, 1972; 12, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, Congratulations and Remarks on Occasion of 74th Birthday, April 29, 1973; 13, City of Cincinnati, Ohio, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," January 28, 1973; 14, President Richard M. Nixon, Letter of Congratulations on Occasion of "Duke Ellington...We Love You Madly!" Tribute, February 11, 1973; 15, C.B.S., Los Angeles, California, Television Special Program and Invitations for "Duke Ellington...We Love You Madly!" Tribute, February 11, 1973.
Box 8
Folder 32, City of Saint Louis, Missouri, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," April 4, 1973.
Box 4
Folder 16, Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia, Doctor of Humanities Honorary Degree, April 29, 1973; 17, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, Commencement Address, Press Clippings, May 13, 1973.
Box 7
Folder 4, Columbia University, New York, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, May 16, 1973.
Box 5
Folder 1, Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee, Doctor of Music Honorary Degree, Commencement Program, Concert Program, May 28, 1973.
Box 8
Folder 33, City of Nashville, Tennessee, Certificate of Honorary Citizenship, May 28, 1973; 34, City of Louisville, Kentucky, Certificate of Honorary Citizenship, June 6, 1973.
Box 5
Folder 2, City Of Louisville, Kentucky, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," June 6, 1973.
Box 8
Folder 35, Republic of France, Chevalier de la Legion D'Honneur, July 6, 1973.
Box 5
Folder 3, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Washington, D.C., Concert Program and Souvenir Booklet, August 12, 1973; 4, University of New Hampshire 100 Club, Certificate of Appreciation and Membership Conferral, September 18, 1973; 5, City of Melbourne, Florida, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," March 3, 1974; 6, Embassy of Ethiopia, Washington, D.C., Certificate of Decoration Bestowal, April 1, 1974; 7, City of San Diego, California, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," April 29, 1974.
Box 7
Folder 5, Executive Chamber State of New York, Albany, New York, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Week," April 29, 1974; 6, Council of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Resolution of Sorrow and Sympathy, May 30, 1974.
Box 5
Folder 8, City of Hartford, Connecticut, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," June 7, 1974.
Box 8
Folder 36, City of Hartford, Connecticut, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," June 7, 1974.
Box 6
Folder 23, City of New York, New York, Letter of Condolence to the Ellington Family and the United Negro College Fund, September 20, 1974.
Box 7
Folder 7, Layman's National Bible Committee, Posthumous Citation of Appreciation, November 22, 1974.
Box 9
Folder 5, Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Cancer Center Day," December 16, 1974.
Box 8
Folder 37, City of Los Angeles, California, Proclamation of "Duke Ellington Day," January 27, 1982.
Box 5
Folder 9, Sister Elizabeth Kenny Foundation, Acknowledgement of Gratitude, undated; 10, Muscular Dystrophy Associations of America, Inc., Citation of Merit, undated; 11, Poultry and Egg National Board, Award of Membership to the "National Good Egg Club," undated; 12, Boston Jazz Society, Boston, Massachusetts, Citation of Homage, undated; 13, Eastern Michigan University Alumni Association, Certificate of Lifetime Membership, undated.
Box 5
Folder 14, Chicago Commission on National Defense, Chicago, Illinois, Certificate of Honor, undated; 15, Original Artwork by Charles M. Schulz, undated; 16, Hot Club Hanover, Hanover, Germany, "Document of Honorary Membership," undated; 17, Damon Runyon Memorial Fund for Cancer Research, Inc., Citation of Appreciation, undated; 18, Pulitzer Music Prize, In Memory of Duke Ellington, undated.
Box 6
Folder 24, Veterans Administration, Certificate of Appreciation, undated; 25, Tarrant County, Texas, Certification of Deputyship, undated; 26, City of Cleveland, Ohio, Honorary Citizenship, undated; 27, U.S. Maritime Service Center, New York, New York, Certificate of Appreciation, undated; 28, Texas Centennial Exposition, Ambassador of Goodwill, undated.
Box 7
Folder 8, City of Detroit, Michigan, Testimonial Resolution, undated.
Box 8
Folder 38, George Washington Carver Memorial Institute, Washington, D.C., Supreme Award of Merit, undated; 39, National Committee for Rural Schools, Award of Honor, undated; 40, State of Massachusetts, Special Citation of Gratitude, undated.
Box 9
Folder 6, Oregon Right to Life Committee, Portland, Oregon, Certificate of Honorary Chairman, undated; 7, City of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Diploma of Recognition, undated; 8, Ethiopia, Poster, undated; 9, Musicians of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Award of Recognition, undated; 10, Schenley Whiskey, Award of Recognition, undated.
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