An extraordinary document listing the extravagant sums paid out in the year 1773 for carriage and other related transport expenses by the famous last mistress of Louis XV of France. 22 pp. Tall Folio, on laid paper bound with blue silk tie. Titled to head of recto of sheet one "Memoire Pour Madame La Comtesse De Dubaris D'Ouvrages faites par quenel charron du Roy Scavoir," following with expenses from January and concluding on the final sheet of ledger entries, ending 22 December at Versailles, signed "M thomas De quenel." Detailed descriptions of purchases or services, often with specific providers or locations are recorded with dates and amounts paid. First and final leaves separated, scattered foxing and general toning but very good condition throughout. Read More...
Pair of striking black and white photographs by Wolfgang von Wangenheim, later reproduced in the book "Danse Africaine" by Germaine Acogny. Gelatin Silver Prints ca. 1980, one of a female figure with upturned palms oustretched, the other, a male figure with arms extended. 8.75 x 11.75 inches. Each print initialed lower right. Each with surface creasing to the upper left quarter and to a lesser degree, center left, else fine. Provenance: From the Estate of Marcuse "Cusie" Pfeifer (1936 - 2020), founding member and president of the Association of International Photography Art Dealers. Read More...
Signed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater portrait photograph of the important dancer, choreographer, and activist, who has inscribed "For Paul— / with many good wishes + many more memories— / Alvin Ailey" in black felt tip. A couple of stray ink marks, light wear to edges and mounting remnants to verso, else in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Original ca. 1960 Will Rapport photograph of the dancers in performance in Ailey's first masterpiece, signed in black ink by each of the dancers with their names alone. Photographer's stamp to verso. In fine condition. 7 x 5 inches (17.8 x 12.7 cm.). Read More...
Original photograph of the Cuban ballerina taken immediately after disembarking a Cubana de Aviacion airplane. A typed caption to verso, translated from the Spanish, reads "Alicia Alonso arrives at the Rancho Boyeros airport after the triumph of the Ballet Cubano in Mexico," and a handwritten label dates the photograph to May 1968. Alonso can be seen just to right of center, laden with bouquets. Wear to edges, surface crease to left margin, crease to lower right corner, else in fine condition. 10 x 7 inches (25.4 x 17.8 cm.).
Original candid photograph of the legendary dancers, who have boldly signed their names in black ink. In fine condition. 3.5 x 5 inches (8.9 x 12.7 cm.). Read More...
Group of seventeen original photographs of dancers from the American Ballet Theatre, ca. 1980's, most by the American theatre and dance photographer Martha Swope. The dancers pictured include Danilo Radojevic in "Cinderella"; Cynthia Gregory in "Swan Lake"; Marianne Tcherkassky, Danilo Radojevic, and ensemble in "Donizetti Variations"; Cynthia Harvey in "Romeo and Juliet" and "Cinderella"; Leslie Browne, Robert La Fosse, Susan Jones, Danilo Radojevic and Wes Chapman in "Romeo and Juliet"; Patrick Bissell in an unidentified role (photograph by Kenn Duncan) and Gelsey Kirkland in an unidentified role (photograph by Kenn Duncan.) All 8 x 10 inches and stamped on the verso by the photographer and the American Ballet Theatre. Some very light edge wear to a few; overall in very fine condition.
Signed photograph of the American dancer movie stars mid-dance in the 1951 musical comedy film Royal Wedding. Powell and Astaire have both signed to the lower portion of the image. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Signed Ernest Bachrach photograph, inscribed and signed to the popular Argentine Mundo Argentino magazine, "To King[?] of Mundo Argentino / Sincere good smiles for the Holiday Season / Fred Astaire." Part of the signature and inscription have been traced over in white, so that the inscription contrast could be shown when reproduced in the magazine (a tiny portion of the publication is affixed to the verso). Scattered marks and creases, margins trimmed, else fine. 7.5 x 9.5 inches (19.5 x 24 cm).
8199. Astaire, Fred. (1899–1987). Original Photograph dancing en route to French premiere of "Funny Face"
Original 1956 photograph of the great dancer, as he dances on the tarmac in front of a TWA airplane in Paris, where he was arriving to attend the French premiere of "Funny Face." French news clipping and collection stamps on verso, fine. 5 x 7 inches (12.8 x 18 cm).
A superb signed doubleweight 8 x 10 inch black-and-white photograph of the legendary dancer in the role of Bake Baker in the 1936 film "Follow the Fleet," which included some of Irving Berlin's most popular tunes. Boldly signed in black ink.
Original press photograph, ca. 1952, showing the great dancer and entertainer with one of the horses on his ranch. Press caption on the verso reads: "When Fred Astaire isn't in front of the cameras he can quickly be found at his Chatsworth ranch where the offspring of his famed horse Triplicate romp and roam..." One stain at the upper right; otherwise very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20 x 24.5 cm).
Glossy photograph still from the 1934 Hollywood film The Gay Divorcee,signed and inscribed in blue and black felt tip ink by co-stars Fred Astaire and Erik Rhodes to "Dana." Very fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Glossy photograph of Astaire and Rogers on a ballroom dance floor in Swing Time, signed in brown felt tip by Fred Astaire and in black felt tip by Ginger Rogers. Unexamined out of frame, possibly laid down to backing, but in apparently fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.), framed to 13.5 x 11 inches (34.3 x 27.9 cm.) overall. Read More...
Wonderful image of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing in formal attire, boldly signed by both. The poster measures an impressive 40 x 28 inches and has been dry mounted to foam core board. The signature of Ginger Rogers measures 5.5 inches and the Fred Astaire signature measures 3.5 inches. Small tape damage and repair in the center just above one of the bows, some fold-lines from before the mounting, slight area of moisture damage to lower right corner, otherwise fine. Certainly the largest signed photograph of these two film and dance icons that we have ever encountered!
Original silver gelatin photograph of the iconic singer and actress, as captured by the 25-year-old Richard Avedon for Harper's Bazaar, 1948 around the time of the filming of The Foreign Affair, and depicting the actress with her famous and very problematic African lenci doll. On the original photographer's mount, signed "Avedon" in black ink beneath the photograph and with the photographer's stamp to mount verso. A few areas of expert restoration and retouching, overall in very fine condition. Print 10 7/16" x 11 7/16" ; mount 11 11/16" x 14 7/8". Framed to 26 x 19 inches (66.5 x 49 cm); 24 x 17 (61 x 43cm) overall. Read More...
Oversize portrait contact sheet of Liza Minnelli and Fred Astaire, in 12 images, photographed by Richard Avedon for the December 1974 issue of Vogue. Signed by Avedon at the lower right. Astaire and Minnelli are shown in several light-hearted posed portraits, and taking direction from Avedon in front of the camera. Original gelatin silver print on card stock. Virtually unhandled; very fine overall. Sight size 12.5 x 16 inches, matted and framed to an overall size of 16.75 x 21 inches. Read More...
Original program for a June, 1973 performance at Carnegie Hall by the American-born entertainer, who was celebrating her golden jubilee as a performer. The evening included some two dozen songs in both English and French. 28 pp. Wear to cover, overall in fine condition. 8.25 x 11 inches (21 x 27.9 cm.). Read More...
Autograph letter from the Russian painter and scene and costume designer, known for his extensive work for the Ballets Russes. 1 p. June 21, 1915. To architect and art critic Frantz Jourdain (1847–1935), Bakst writes (translated from the French): "Dear maître, I am very touched by your kind letter and thank you sincerely. I will act according to your advice. Until then, please believe my devoted and cordial sentiments. Leon Bakst." In very fine condition. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.3 x 17.3 cm).
Paris: Imprimerie Modern Style. P. Marmy. Oversize elaborate printed invitation to the 1911 Bal des Quat'z'Arts. The design by the French painter, illustrator and decorator H. Rapin, featuring a highly stylized illustration on Babylonian themes. 19 x 33 cm. Dampstained along the lower edge, left edge and upper margin chipped with a few small losses, else fine. Read More...