An unusual signed program from a 26 May, 1957 an appearance by the legendary dancer, singer, and actress at the Théâtre du Palais, Dakar during the centenary of the city. The program "Un Hommage à Josephine Baker," featured the "Freres du Theatre d'Afrique / Theatre de L'Ouest Africain / Union Artistique de la Jeunesse Guineenne," with Demba Kanouté performing a poem composed for the occasion, and Mamadou Kouyaté ("coraïste virtuose") and concluded with the official proclamation awarding to Josephine Baker the title of "Présidente d'Honneur de L'Union." Baker has signed "votre grande soeur [your big sister] Josephine Baker" in blue ink to the first page. 8 pp. Gray printed wrappers. In very fine condition.
Signed vintage sepia Walery postcard photograph of the legendary African American entertainer. A full length portrait, boldly signed and inscribed in blue ink in 1937. 9 x 14 cm. Baker's death year of 1975 written in ink in the lower border (obviously in another hand), otherwise fine. Read More...
Vintage 8 x 10 inch doubleweight original photograph of the great singer/dancer "in a happy good mood when she arrives at London airport" in 1959. Fine.
Baker was most noted as a singer, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer. She was given the nicknames the "Black Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Créole Goddess" in anglophone nations, while in France she has always been known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker."
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...
ALS on a postcard from the influential Russian pianist and composer written to his student, the conductor Mikhail Karpov. The letter reads, in full, translated from the Russian, "I ask you to visit me on Wednesday, November 22nd at 3 a.m. and to notify me immediately on the return form that you have received this invitation. / M.B. / November 18, 1906." Toned, light edgewear, else in fine condition. 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14 x 9 cm). Read More...
Striking signed portrait photograph of the choreographer known as the father of American ballet. A Martha Swope photograph, with her signature in the negative lower left and NYCB stamps to verso, boldly signed in black ink by the great choreographer who is shown here seated with his cat. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm). Very fine.
Signed title of Balanchine's Complete Stories of the Great Ballets (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1956). Cut from the book. 8.25 x 5.25 inches (20.8 x 13.3 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
Original publicity photograph from the Great Performances series, broadcast information printed at bottom, showing the NYCB dancers Kay Mazzo and Peter Martins in Balanchine's great ballet "Stravinsky Violin Concerto." In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Original photograph of the great choreographer with the popular ballerina/choreographer and musical theatre actress who was his second wife. According the clipping attached to the verso, they are shown while attending the premiere of Pinocchio. Stamps and stickers on verso, small creases and marks to margins, overall in very good condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Grouping of three original ca. 1910 postcard photographs of ballet dancers in costume for various unidentified productions, issued in Florence, London, and Moscow. Minimal edge and corner wear, silvering to top half of one postcard, else fine. Approx.3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.8 x 13.5 cm.) each.
A striking sepia-toned photo of Ballet Español Ximénez-Vargas, signed by all six members, including Roberto Ximénez and Manolo Vargas, the Flamenco dancers who founded the ensemble in 1955. A number of small creases and surface creases, particularly along the lower edge, otherwise fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm)
Hand-colored glossy Rotary Foulsham & Banfield of London postcard photograph signed by the great Russian dancers who are shown in a striking back-to-back pose. Unrelated message written to verso, dated 22 August 1913. In fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.9 x 14 cm.). Read More...
Incredible signed photograph of three members of the great Messerer/Plisetsky ballet dynasty rehearsing together, including Soviet ballerina and choreographer Maya Plisetskaya posing with her younger brother Azari and an unidentified second male dancer under the direction of Maya and Azari's uncle, Bolshoi ballet master Asaf Messerer. All four individuals have signed their names in black ink. Mounting remnants to verso, else in very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Original souvenir program for a 1945 performance of Leonide Massine's Ballet Russe Highlights, featuring an attractive color lithograph cover by Marc Chagall and signed to two pages by acclaimed dancer Igor Youskevitch, who has penned his name below two halftone reproductions of Maurice Seymour portraits. 32 pp. In fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm.). Read More...
Original photograph of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo's ballet master, shown assisting Ruthana Boris as she is lifted by Leon Daniellian. Some surface damage and creasing, otherwise good condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo souvenir program, signed by dancers Alexandra Danilova, Nina Novak, Frederic Franklin (who has signed three different photographs!) and Gerard Leavitt. 68 pp. Fine. 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm.).
Three Leon Bakst Satin and Rayon Hooded Capes from "Papillons," ca. 1914. In fine condition, formerly property of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Read More...
Sepia toned gelatin photograph of the important dancer, ca. 1912. Stamped "ADOLPH BOLM / 'THAMAR' / SERGE de DIAGHILEFF'S BALLET RUSSE" on the verso in violet ink. Right edge trimmed irregularly, small loss to upper left corner, light spotting, else in fine condition. 5.2 x 8 inches [13.2 x 20.3 cm]. Framed. Read More...
Bound collection of 6 concertinos for 4 violins, viola, cello, and basso continuo in score, copied from a manuscript at the Conservatoire de Paris, as prepared for and subsequently inscribed by Sergei Diaghilev. Long attributed to Italian Baroque composer Pergolesi, these pieces are a famous case of reattribution within the canon of classical music, having been identified in recent decades as the work of the Dutch composer and statesman Count Unico Wilhelm van Wassenaer. Half a century before this musicological consensus had been established, Diaghilev wrote his opinion in an inscription on the cover of the present manuscript (translated as follows from the French): Read More...