About this Item
First edition, first printing. The autobiography of one the greatest prima ballerinas of all time, and an exceptional rarity to encounter autographed by her. This wonderful gem of a book is SIGNED in full by Tamara Karsavina to the first front blank end-paper, and has also been dated by her "1930" - the year of publication. The book covers Karsavina's account of her early life at the Imperial Ballet School, and her subsequent career at the Marinsky Theatre and the Ballets Russes. The reminiscences make for a charming, engaging read indeed. Complete with photographic illustrations. 341 pages. Tamara Karsavina (1885 -1978), the great Russian prima ballerina, renowned for her beauty, was a principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and later of the Ballets Russes of Serge Diaghilev, where she was Nijinsky's chief partner. Her technical perfection, wit, rare intelligence, and deep feeling made her a legend in her own lifetime. Born in St. Petersburg in 1885, Karsavina's early career saw her dance with the Imperial Ballet alongside her celebrated rival dancer Anna Pavlova, before appearing with the distinguished Diaghilev ballet in 1909 as perhaps the greatest of Russian dancers. Condition: The book is in very good preservation for its age, and is in its original dark blue cloth boards, with gilt lettering to spine. The boards are in clean preservation, free from soiling, and the binding remains sound and true. As we carefully open the covers, we notice that the pages within are secure and tidy in the binding and, although there is some light foxing throughout due to age, the overall feel and look of the book is one that displays only modest indications of edge-wear commensurate with age. To the top of the second front end-paper is written "Janet Cranmore School of Dance" - which is nice to see, and provides interesting provenance. All in all, an absolutely fabulous rare book for anybody interested in classical dance, ballet, theatre, and the performing arts. Offered by D B WATERS RARE BOOKS: Professional, full-time booksellers of fine, select 1st editions, established in 1998. As befits a rare book, all dust-wrappers are housed within transparent, removable protectors. All our stock is fully guaranteed as authentic, a sample of which is presented here on this website. As long-established specialist sellers, we never stock any first edition that is devalued by serious flaws such as price-clipping, dedications, remainder dots, or owner markings, etc. Managed by David, a holder of a Masters degree in Modern Fiction from the UEA, and published author by Nightjar Press. Contact us for friendly assistance in building your collection of modern highlights.
Seller Inventory # 000576
Contact seller
Report this item
