ASCAP Plaque, presented to Duke Ellington

Description:

This plaque was presented to Duke Ellington by ASCAP (American Society of Composer, Authors, and Publishers) in 1969. It is a rectangular wooden plaque with an engraved metal plate. The plate is engraved:

THE NEW YORK TIMES, FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1969 [photograph of Duke Ellington]
”In the royalty
of American music,
no man swings more
or stands higher
than Duke.”

These were the words of President Nixon
at the White House on April 20, 1969. The
occasion was Duke Ellington’s 70th birthday
when he was presented with the Presidential
Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian medal
the Government can bestow.

All the Duke colleagues in ASCAP con-
gratulate him on this great honor and for his
incomparable musical achievements.
Stanley Adams
President ASCAP

[ASCAP logo]
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF COMPOSER, AUTHORS, AND PUBLISHERS