Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo "Les Sylphides" performance photographs by Sasha

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Preferred citation:

Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo "Les Sylphides" performance photographs by Sasha, C0481, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 3 photographs
Creator:
Sasha, 1892-1953
Abstract:
Three black and white photographs taken by Sasha to promote a London tour performance of "Les Sylphides" by Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, circa 1934.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo "Les Sylphides" performance photographs by Sasha, C0481, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

Three black and white photographs taken by Sasha to promote a London tour performance of "Les Sylphides" by Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. The first photo features the ballet dancers Andre Eglevsky and Alexandra Danilova posed together. The second and third photos feature Eglevsky with a trio of corps de ballet dancers in different poses. On the back of each photo is a typewritten description, labeling the prominent dancers' names, the company name, and that they will be performing at the St. James Theatre in London. The photographer's stamp is also on the back of the first photo.

Biographical / historical:

Alexander Stewart, known by the mononym Sasha, was a Scottish photographer known for his portraits of theatrical productions and entertainers, particularly of the London theatre scene. Born in 1892, he was also the inventor of the Sashalite, a popular camera flashbulb that was used internationally and created the signature dramatic look of his photographs. Sasha passed away in 1953.

The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was a ballet company founded by René Blum and Colonel W. de Basil in 1932. Blum and de Basil created the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo after the death of Sergei Dhivagilev and the dissolution of the original Ballets Russes. The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was the first major platform for choreographer-dancers like George Balanchine and Leonide Massine. However, the original company did not last long and split in 1938, with one faction following de Basil and the other following Massine, the latter's which lasted much longer, until the 1960s.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by Steve Gerber from Schubertiade Music on February 18, 2010.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Amanda Brent in April 2021. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in April 2021. This item was formerly part of the Performing Arts Manuscript Materials collection, C0215.

Arrangement:

This is a single folder collection.

Physical location:
R 72, C 3, S 5
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard