Small archive of correspondence, documents, photos, and ephemera

San Diego, 1945. Some tears and wear; very good. 21 pieces, various sizes and formats. The Mission Beach Ballroom, part of an ambitious development of the ocean-front property, was one of the premier West Coast dance halls of the swing era attracting top-tier talent. This collection derives from the hall's manager, Richard Costenborder and comprises twelve typed letters to Costenborder concerning the hiring of dance bands for the venue, two original contracts, two vintage photos of the hall, lists of attendees, ticket stubs, receipts for expenses, and a printed program from a 1945 event. The contracts are for appearances by Gene Krupa and Count Basie. The letters concern hiring the bands of Jimmy Dorsey, Eddy Duchin, Jimmie Lunceford and Earl Hines, among others. The printed program is from an appearance by the then-popular German-born trumpeter Henry Busse and his orchestra and has been signed by Busse and six of his musicians.