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Eight scarce souvenir programmes and exhibition publications documenting the Ballets Russes from 1911 to the 1939 Serge Lifar retrospective. Richly illustrated throughout, they trace the company's artistic development from its early Paris seasons to the American tour of 1916 and its later productions, featuring designs by Bakst, Pruna, Benois, Picasso, Braque, Matisse, Derain, de Chirico, Laurencin, Gris, and others, together with Ida Rubinstein, Nijinsky, and the principal Ballets Russes repertoire. As Sjeng Scheijen observed of Diaghilev, he "would never allow quality to suffer" (Diaghilev: A Life, 2009, p. 405). [Souvenir programme:] Théâtre Sarah-Bernhardt Mai-Juin 1911. Grande Saison Russe: Opéras et Ballets. Paris: Publications Willy Fischer, 1911. Square quarto, 32 pp., original pictorial wrappers by Jean Portalez. An attractive programme for a rival "Saison Russe", inspired by the success of Diaghilev's first Paris seasons. One copy traced on Library Hub (New York Public Library). Com dia Illustré Numéro spécial. Les Russes au Châtelet. Paris: Com dia Illustré, 1911. Quarto, original pictorial wrappers with Bakst's design for Narcisse. Special issue devoted to Le Martyre de saint Sébastien, with Bakst's scenery and costumes for Ida Rubinstein. Com dia Illustré Théâtre du Châtelet. Hélène de Sparte. Salomé. Paris: Com dia Illustré, 1912. Quarto, richly produced in colour and metallic inks. Dedicated to Hélène de Sparte and Wilde's Salomé, with numerous illustrations after Bakst. One copy traced on Library Hub (BnF). Com dia Illustré Grande Saison de Paris. Programme officiel des Ballets Russes. Paris: Com dia Illustré, 1912. Quarto, colour Bakst cover showing Nijinsky in L'Après-midi d'un Faune. Celebrates the seventh Ballets Russes season, illustrating Petrushka, The Firebird, Le Spectre de la Rose, Daphnis et Chloé, and others. One copy traced on Library Hub (BnF). Souvenir Serge de Diaghileff's Ballet Russe: With Originals by Leon Bakst and Others. New York: Metropolitan Ballet Company, 1916. Quarto, cord-tied wrappers with Robert Montenegro's striking cover of Nijinsky in Schéhérazade. An uncommon variant of the official programme for the first and only American tour, lavishly illustrated with Bakst's costume designs. Souvenir Serge de Diaghileff's Ballet Russe. New York: Metropolitan Ballet Company, 1916. Quarto, cord-tied embossed wrappers. A substantially different issue for the American tour, covering the full repertoire from Les Sylphides and Schéhérazade to L'Après-midi d'un Faune and Daphnis et Chloé. [Souvenir programme:] Ballets Russes de M. Serge de Diaghilew. Paris: Les Publications Willy Fischer, 1925. Quarto, pictorial wrappers by Pedro Pruna. Art Deco programme for productions including Les Biches, Les Matelots, Pulcinella, La Boutique fantasque, and Train Bleu, retaining the publisher's advertising slip and an inserted performance programme. Only a handful of copies traced on Library Hub. Ballets Russes de Diaghilew 1909 à 1929. Exposition organisée par Serge Lifar. Paris: Jacques de Brunhoff, 1939. Quarto, printed wrappers with Bakst design. Catalogue of the landmark retrospective, surveying the company's productions through illustrations of costume and stage designs by the leading artists associated with the Ballets Russes. 8 works, quarto. Original variously illustrated wrappers, cord-tied or wire stitched as issued. Illustrated throughout in colour and monochrome. Overall condition is very good to excellent. Most retain their original wrappers, several preserve their fragile translucent or glassine outer wrappers, and only minor handling wear, occasional light creasing, small edge nicks, or isolated faults are noted.
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