Vintage 1952 Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity Paddle Rho Chapter Illinois Signed

Fraternity paddles were one of the great college traditions of the mid-century campus, personalized, passed around the house and signed by the brothers. This one comes from Sigma Alpha Mu (the Sammies), founded in 1909 at City College of New York, and its Rho Chapter at the University of Illinois, chartered in 1918. It is a lovely piece of 1950s Greek life that would look great on a den, bar or dorm-themed wall, or in a Sigma Alpha Mu or Illini collection.

Details

• The paddle is varnished wood with raised black Sigma Alpha Mu Greek letters, CLASS OF '52 and RHO CHAPTER on one face.
• The other face carries the colored Sigma Alpha Mu crest with ILLINOIS, WORM NO. 2 and STAN.
• A round Old Hickory Paddle Co., Danville, Ind. stamp is at the handle, which has a jute cord through the hole.
• Both faces are covered with signatures of brothers in green and black pen and pencil, with years running from the late 1940s into the early 1950s. The paddle weighs about 0.84 lb.

Condition: Good vintage condition for its age, with some finish flaking and scuffs at the blade end and edges. The heavy original pen and pencil signatures are part of its character, and no breaks or cracks are seen. Please look closely at the photos, which are part of the description.

It will be packed with care for the trip to its new home.