Ballet & Dance Autographs (over $500)

Russian painter, and scene costume designer (1866-1924), famous for his work for Diaghilev's Ballet Russes. Card from the first and limited edition of the book "L'Ouvre de Leon Bakst pour La Belle au Bois Dormant" (1922) signed by him and by the French publisher Maurice De Brunoff (1861-1937).  Size is 9.25 x 6.75 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a half-tone photograph where he appears, plus composer Igor Stravinsky, and painter Mikhail Larionov).

Very rare poster from the 1970s, from the then recently premiered production of Balanchine´s "Jewels". He created the choreography. This ballet became very popular and has been staged many times around the world after the original, first production with Balanchine and the NY City Ballet in 1967..  Poster belongs to an original set of 3, each representing a precious stone: Diamonds (white), Emeralds (green) and Rubies (red). This poster corresponds to Diamonds, the part of "Jewels" that had music by Tchaikovsky.  Signed by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, plus a third, unidentified signature over the center, near the right border. Signatures have faded a bit but are still very clearly visible. Poster is 13.25 x 25 inches, has minor stains and damage over borders, but still is in very good condition. 

Russian-American ballet choreographer (1904-1983), who was considered one of the most influential in the 20th century. Fine page with his silhouette caricature signed by him and mounted on hard cardboard. Total size is 9 x 8 inches, in very good condition.

Georgian-born American choreographer (1904-1983), one of the most influential figures, co-founder of the New York City Ballet, and was its artistic director for over 35 years. Beautiful black-and-white photograph signed by him. Size is 7 x 10 inches, minor creases, in very good condition.

Russian-American ballet choreographer (1904-1983), who was considered one of the most influential in the 20th century. Fine black-and-white photograph signed by him, shown at home, ink markings on verso indicates "Bloomingdale Benefit 1975". Size is 7.25 x 9.3 inches, in very good condition.

Copy #27 of 250 numbered copies - SIGNED & dated "London ´77" by Baryshnikov on the title page. Features 6 silkscreen mezzotint prints one for each of the Ballets noted in the title. (10" X 8" images printed on 17" X 15" sheets), photographs by Jennie Walton. Published by Megara Screenprinting, London, first edition 1977. All prints, covers, and pages are fine. Housed in a black portfolio with silver stamped titles & black satin ribbon ties. (18" X 16"). In excellent condition. A notably uncommon production highlighting the charm & grace of the dancer in his prime. RARE! sold at a bargain price. SEE PRICE BELOW  WATCH M. BARYSHNIKOV DANCING - Legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov Solos: Don Quixote/Giselle

Beautiful program for the American tour of the Bolshoi Ballet in 1990 signed by many artists from the Bolshoi on the front and back covers and inside.  Size is 9.5 x 13 inches, 48 pages plus soft covers, in excellent condition. Signing artists include Alexander Vetrov, Yuri Posokhov, Mikhail Sharkov, Mark Peretokin, Gedeminas Taranda, Nina Speranzkaya, Svetlana Filipova, Maria Bylova, Aleksei Lazarev, Lyudmila Semenyaka, Yuri Klevisov, Alla Mikhalchenko, and many others.

Italian ballet dancer (1850-1928), mime, and pedagogue. Fine black-and-white photo postcard signed by him with a short sentiment dated 1913. Size is 3.5 x 5.4 inches, some silvering around borders, otherwise in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a modern photo postcard (from the 1990s) of him and Anna Pavlova in rehearsal in 1907.

Italian ballet dancer (1850-1928), mime, and pedagogue. Page from a magazine or book signed by him and dated 1916, shown in costume. Size is 7.5 x 10.4 inches, trimmed corners, repaired crack at the bottom center.  On verso there is an image of Lydia Sokolova and Nicholas Kremneff.

Program for the 1936 season (June-September) at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, for performances of the Ballet Russes from Montecarlo, signed inside by many artists including Colonel W. De Basil, Leonide Massine, Antal Dorati, Lubov Tchernichova, Alexandra Danilova, Irina Baronova, Tamara Toumanova, David Lichine, Paul Petroff, and few others. Size is 10 x 14.2 inches, full program with all pages and covers, pictures, beautiful color illustrations; loose covers, stains on covers, spine in poor shape, internal pages in excellent condition. Sold as it is!

Russian art critic (1872-1929), ballet impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes, from which many famous dancers and choreographers would arise. Envelope signed by him  (no letter included) sent by him from Monte-Carlo to Serge LIfar in Turin.  Size is 5.6 x 4.3 inches, cracked opened, in overall very good condition. Autographs by Diaghilev are very rare to find!

Famous American-French dancer (1878-1927), highly acclaimed in Europe, who died tragically in 1927. Signed photo postcard with a short sentiment ("I thank you for your kind thoughts"), size is 3.5 x 5.4 inches, in excellent condition.

A wonderful set of 4 large-size, color photographs by famous performing arts photographer Costas, one signed by photographer, 3 are signed by dancers, one of them is unsigned. See details below. Costas Cacaroukas, aka Costas, Greek American dance photographer and photographer-in-residence for over 40 years for the NYC Ballet.  All photos are mounted on mats, where they were signed by the artists. - Suzanne Farrell signed photo in performance in "Tziganne", signature on the mat by dances, and also by photographer Costa, who dated this in 1979. - Suzanne Farrell and Peter Martins, in performance in "La Chaconne", signed by both dancers on the mat. - Jean-Pierre Frohlich signed photo in a rehearsal of "Apollo", next to George Balanchine, signature on mat. - George Balanchine curtain call photo, unsigned. Photos are approx. 13.4 x 10.3 inches (visible window size), total mat size is 20 x 16 inches. All in very good condition, with a couple showing a pinhole at the top and minor scratches. Ready to frame if desired. SOLD AS A SET of 4 ONLY, not sold separately.

American actor (1927-1987), dancer, choreographer, and stage director; an influential figure in jazz dance in the XX century. Black-and-white photograph signed and inscribed by him with a long sentiment, shown young. Size is 8 x 9.9 inches, some creases, otherwise in very good condition.

American actress and dancer (1862-1928), a pioneer in modern dance and theatrical lighting techniques. A copy of a typed letter ink-signed by her dated June 23, 1917, addressed to the director of the Cleveland Art Museum, about some pieces of artwork.  Size is 8.3 x 10.9 inches, 1 page, central fold, small loss of paper, in overall very good condition. Autographs by Loie Fuller are extremely rare!

Russian Prima Ballerina (b.1940), also choreographer, whose performances were considered standards of artistry and aristocracy of dance and marked her as the finest ballerina of her generation in the West.  Signed single pointe shoe, worn in performance, signature is in Russian. Approx. 3 x 8.5 inches, in very good condition.

South African dancer (1927-2008), one of the most important ballerinas of the Royal Ballet in the 1950s and 60s.  Signed pointe shoe, dated by her in 1961, she also wrote "Fille Mal Garde", the name of the ballet she performed using this shoe. Nerina created the role of Lise in this ballet by Frederick Ashton, in the world premiere of 1960.  Size is 8.5 x 3 inches approximately.

Russian ballet dancer (1890-1950) and choreographer, probably the most celebrated male dancer in the entire history of dance. Original front cover of the magazine "L´Illustration", published in Paris on May 22nd, 1909, right after his debut in Paris at age of only 19!. Nijinsky caused quite an impression in the Parisian public, and this publication calls him "The French Vestris" (referring to famous French dancer Auguste Vestris (1760-1842)) on the front cover. Boldly signed by Nijinsky in diagonal, in black ink, across the lower right corner and next to his image dancing in the ballet "Le Pavillion D´Armide" (Fokine, with music by Nikolai Tcherepin, world-premiered in St. Petersburg, 1907), presented in Paris for the first time in May 1909 by the Sergei Diaghilev company, with a very young Nijinsky. This is an exceedingly rare item from a crucial moment in young Nijinsky´s career, now starting outside Russia, on tour.  Autographed front cover is 11 x 15.25 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a full magazine, unsigned, containing the article about his debut, in French, and a separate, 2-page translation into English (see scans of translation and the article page).    

Superstar Russian ballet dancer (1938-1993) and British ballet dancer (1919-1991), each one considered by many among the greatest dancers of the 20th century.  Rare double signed ballet shoe, signature by Fonteyn is on the top front and is dated by her in 1966. Nureyev signed on the back side with a felt tip pen. Not used in performance, a shoe by Fred K Freed, England, in excellent condition. Highly desirable, and very rare!! SEE PRICE BELOW WATCH Nureyev and Fonteyn Dancing in Swan Lake (1966)

Superstar Russian ballet dancer (1938-1993), one of the greatest of the 20th century. Large size, original poster signed by him. Autograph poster is from the time after his 1961 defection from Russia, and before he had representation and important ballet companies supporting him. Size is 36 x 48.75 inches, it is mounted on hard cardboard and can not be rolled. This fantastic autograph poster is signed and inscribed with a short sentiment over one of his legs with a felt tip pen. Ink is a bit lighter but clearly visible, and in good condition. There is an extra cost in shipping due to the size and weight of this important item.

Superstar Russian ballet dancer (1938-1993), one of the greatest of the 20th century. Rare signed single ballet slipper, in pink color, inscribed, a note by an anonymous hand, inside the shoe, indicates that this was signed on May 3rd, 1976, after a performance of "Romeo et Juliette" with the Royal Ballet, London given at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. A slipper by Capezio, USA, with very little signs of having been worn, in excellent condition.

American ballerina and choreographer (1899-1991), introduced to ballet by Anna Pavlova, Page was later to have a very successful career and found the Chicago Opera Ballet. Page was also a very famous teacher.  Pair of pointe shoes, each signed by her, adding "with love" to one, and "love" to the other. Each one is 9.25 inches long x 3.4 inches wide, they were used in performance or rehearsal, in very good condition.

Russian star prima ballerina of the late 19th and early 20th century (1881-1931), she became the first ballerina to tour around the world.  Beautiful large signed photo shown in performance.  Size is 7.1 x 9.4 inches, mounted on cardboard, with minor signs of aging and wear, in overall good condition.

Russian star prima ballerina of the late 19th and early 20th century (1881-1931), she became the first ballerina to tour around the world. Fabulous, larger size photograph showing her in The Dying Swan (see HERE), her most famous solo dancing piece, signed by her in white ink and inscribed to Mrs. Smalley, who directed her only film. "The Dumb Girl of Portici" (see HERE) is a 1916 silent film with Pavlova in the title role (title should actually be "The Mute Girl of Portici"). The movie was directed by husband and wife Phillips Smalley and Lois Weber (who Pavlova refers to as Mrs. Smalley in her inscription). This was Pavlova´s only film.  Pavlova writes and signs "To Mrs. Smalley, my first and never to be forgotten teacher in the fascinating art of the cinema, Anna Pavlova". Original photograph, size is 10.4 x 13.3 inches, mounted on a black cardboard mat to a total size of 11.9 x 14.6 inches. Photo has been mounted with paper hinges and can be carefully removed from the mat if desired.  A moderate amount of silvering around borders, and some creases over the right border and near the signature, but in overall very good condition. This is a rare, truly one-of-a-kind Pavlova collectible! ALSO INCLUDED is a brand new DVD with "The Dumb Girl of Portici" (see scan of the DVD´s cover).   WATCH a 20-min COLORIZED CLIP FROM "THE DUMB GIRL OF PORTICI", with added music.    

Russian star prima ballerina of the late 19th and early 20th century (1881-1931), she became the first ballerina to tour around the world. Great signed photo, shown with some flower, inscribed. Size is 6.5 x 9 inches, in excellent condition.

Russian star prima ballerina of the late 19th and early 20th century (1881-1931), she became the first ballerina to tour around the world. Signed program with Pavlova portrayed on the cover as the Dying Swan, her signature piece. Pavlova signs in ink below the oval photo, which has a facsimile (printed) signature in the center. Performance at the Boston Opera House, 1923, full program with photographs of the dancer, detached cover with minor damage on borders, otherwise in excellent condition.

Russian star prima ballerina of the late 19th and early 20th century (1881-1931), she became the first ballerina to tour around the world. Rare double signed photo postcard, showing both in performance, dated by Volinin in 1921. Size is 3.4 x 5.4 inches, minor crease over the top right corner, in very good condition.

Russian ballet dancer (1925-2015), choreographer, ballet director, and actress. Set of 2 pointe shoes, one of them signed by her on the top, over the toes. Shoes have ink markings inside and also outside, by another hand. Autographed pointe shoes by Plisetskaya are quite rare. Each shoe is approx. 2.75 inches wide by 9.2 inches long, both are in excellent condition. See pictures.

Austrian poet (1819-1904). Manuscript poem in German for famous Austrian ballerina Fanny Elssler (1810-1884) signed below by the poet himself.  Size is 5.7 x 8.8 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet, folds, minor stains, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a transcription in German and a translation into English.

Swedish-born ballet dancer (1804-1884) of the Romantic ballet era partially of Italian descent, a central figure in the history of European dance. Fine autograph letter in French (sold with translation) signed by M. Taglioni, about an appointment; postal markings indicate the year 1844.  Size is 5.25 x 8.2 inches 1 page, in excellent condition; envelope is 5.4 x 2.25 inches. ALSO INCLUDED is a modern colored postcard of Taglioni shown young in the dance "La Gitana", size is 4 x 5.75 inches, in excellent condition; and an old lithograph of the dancer with her facsimile (printed) signature, size is 4.7 x 6.9 inches, in good condition.

Swedish-born ballet dancer (1804-1884) of the Romantic ballet era partially of Italian descent, a central figure in the history of European dance. Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by her, dated 1840. Size is 4.9 x 7.8 inches, 1 page, folds, in excellent condition.

Swedish-born ballet dancer (1804-1884) of the Romantic ballet era partially of Italian descent, a central figure in the history of European dance. Beautiful vintage carte-de-visite (CDV) of the dancer shown at an old age by photographer E. Albert (London), signed on verso by Taglioni as "Gilbert de Voisins nee Taglioni", inscribed with a long sentiment in French, dated 1878.  Size is 2.5 x 4.1 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a modern colored postcard of Taglioni shown young in the dance "La Gitana". Size is 4 x 5.75 inches, in excellent condition. Photos signed by Marie Taglioni are exceedingly rare to find!

Russian-American prima ballerina and also an actress (1919-1996).  Pair of pointe shoes, worn by her in performance, with a signed card "Best Wishes, Tamara Toumanova". Approx. 3 x 8.75 inches, in very good condition.