The initial algebra of maximal minors of a generalized hankel matrix

One deals with a certain generalization of the (generic) Hankel matrix. Fixing a field K, for a suitable diagonal term order on the polynomial ring B over K generated by the entries of this matrix, one considers the K-subalgebra A ? B generated by the set of initial terms of the the maximal minors of the matrix. The algebra A detects the underlying combinatorics in terms of certain generalized standard tableaux and these give a way of showing that A is normal. A more involved technique also yields that the Rees algebra of the ideal of B generated by the generators of A is normal. In particular, both algebras are Cohen-Macaulay. We also present a Gröbner basis for the presentation ideal of A and compute some numerical invariants using the simplicial complex associated to A.