David Letterman donates hundreds of items to Ball State

An early David Letterman audition tape at Bracken Library Friday afternoon.

A photo of David Letterman with Barack Obama donated to Ball State's Bracken Library archives.

A "Letterman Jacket" donated to Bracken Library at Ball State. The jackets were given to guests of Late Night. A "Letterman Jacket" donated to Bracken Library at Ball State. The jackets were given to guests of the Late Show.

Michael Szajewski, head of archives for Bracken Library at Ball State University, holds one of David Letterman's donated Emmy Awards Friday afternoon. Letterman donated thousands of items from his career to Ball State's archive.

Photos from David Letterman's early career donated to Ball State's Bracken Library archives.

Michael Szajewski, head of archives for Bracken Library at Ball State University, holds one of David Letterman's donated Emmy Awards Friday afternoon. Letterman donated thousands of items from his career to Ball State's archive.

Michael Szajewski, head of archives for Bracken Library at Ball State University, visits the Late Show marquee housed in a storage facility off campus.

Photos from David Letterman's early career donated to Ball State's Bracken Library archives.

David Letterman's Kennedy Center Honor donated to Ball State's Bracken Library is positioned on a table Friday afternoon.

Michael Szajewski, head of archives at Ball State University, uncovers the Late Show desk used by David Letterman stored temporarily in a back room of Bracken Library.

Michael Szajewski, head of archives at Ball State University, uncovers the Late Show desk used by David Letterman stored temporarily in a back room of Bracken Library.

Sound proofing under David Letterman's desk at Ball State's Bracken Library.

David Letterman's Kennedy Center Honor donated to Ball State's Bracken Library is positioned on a table Friday afternoon.

A photo of David Letterman with Michelle Obama donated to Ball State's Bracken Library archives.

A "Letterman Jacket" donated to Bracken Library at Ball State. The jackets were given to guests of Late Night. A "Letterman Jacket" donated to Bracken Library at Ball State. The jackets were given to guests of the Late Show.

Michael Szajewski, head of archives for Bracken Library at Ball State University, visits the Late Show marquee housed in a storage facility off campus.

A "Letterman Jacket" donated to Bracken Library at Ball State. The jackets were given to guests of Late Night. A "Letterman Jacket" donated to Bracken Library at Ball State. The jackets were given to guests of the Late Show.

Copies of Esquire featuring David Letterman donated to Ball State's Bracken Library archives.

David Letterman's Late Show desk donated to Ball State's archives.

Michael Szajewski, head of archives for Bracken Library at Ball State University, visits the Late Show marquee housed in a storage facility off campus.

David Letterman's Late Show desk donated to Ball State's archives.

Michael Szajewski, head of archives for Bracken Library at Ball State University, visits the Late Show marquee housed in a storage facility off campus.