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[Kirstein, Lincoln. (1907 - 1996)] Robbins, Jerome. (1918-1998) . Collection of Autograph Letters from Robbins to Kirstein. Group of autograph letters from the great dancer/choreographer, Jerome Robbins to Lincoln Kirstein, the American writer, impresario, art connoisseur, and cultural figure in New York City who, with George Balanchine, founded the New York City Ballet (first known as the "Ballet Society") in 1948. Two postcards, three notecards on his stationery, a typed letter signed, and a photocopy of a magazine article with an autograph annotation at the head, various dates, all addressed to Lincoln Kirstein and signed "Jerry." An interesting record of the friendship between these two important cultural figures during the later years of both their lives. In fine condition overall.

A postcard from Vienna (n.d.) sends Kirstein the cheery message: "lots of Kultur, lots of Schlag, lots of deutsch, lots of love - Jerry." On another postcard with a drawing of a dancer by Toulouse-Lautrec, Robbins writes: "By the looks of this, it was never easy! [...] Thank you Lincoln for your last letter. As always you fire me up, and your enthusiasms for the Copeland [sic] give me a lot of steam. It also helped me get out of a terrible funk I'd been in since early June. It will be good to see you soon..." With the note, "Lincoln - maybe we're on the wrong track!", Robbins sends Kirstein a photocopy of an article on a modern Nutcracker, titled "Revolutionary Tidings" (December 18, 1987). A postcard from Paris (postmarked November 14, 1989) mentions that Robbins has read a piece on Kirstein by [John] Russell, and continues: "The 'organization' of the Opera has done a complete swing around since last week, turning from total obstruction to fawning attention: don't know if it's because of my leaving our company, [or] my blasting them in the press -- probably neither -- they just want another ballet."

A later typed letter (2 pp., December 28, 1994, with original envelope) thanks Kirstein for the gift of his book on Pavel Tchelitchev and describes his enjoyment of reading about the 1928 ballet Ode, whose scenery was designed by Tchelitchev: "I burrowed right in. It has been a long held fixation of mine, to delve into it and to try to fathom out, among other things, what that lineof diminishing dolls suspended over the heads of the dancers meant..." Two final notes on Robbins' letterhead notecards (May 9, 1995, and September 14, 1995, with original envelopes) send best wishes to Kirstein near the end of his life, and mentions his West Side Story Suite ballet ("W. S. S. S."): "If you don't want to come to the opening, I'll arrange a showing for you."


[Kirstein, Lincoln. (1907 - 1996)] Robbins, Jerome. (1918-1998) Collection of Autograph Letters from Robbins to Kirstein

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[Kirstein, Lincoln. (1907 - 1996)] Robbins, Jerome. (1918-1998) . Collection of Autograph Letters from Robbins to Kirstein. Group of autograph letters from the great dancer/choreographer, Jerome Robbins to Lincoln Kirstein, the American writer, impresario, art connoisseur, and cultural figure in New York City who, with George Balanchine, founded the New York City Ballet (first known as the "Ballet Society") in 1948. Two postcards, three notecards on his stationery, a typed letter signed, and a photocopy of a magazine article with an autograph annotation at the head, various dates, all addressed to Lincoln Kirstein and signed "Jerry." An interesting record of the friendship between these two important cultural figures during the later years of both their lives. In fine condition overall.

A postcard from Vienna (n.d.) sends Kirstein the cheery message: "lots of Kultur, lots of Schlag, lots of deutsch, lots of love - Jerry." On another postcard with a drawing of a dancer by Toulouse-Lautrec, Robbins writes: "By the looks of this, it was never easy! [...] Thank you Lincoln for your last letter. As always you fire me up, and your enthusiasms for the Copeland [sic] give me a lot of steam. It also helped me get out of a terrible funk I'd been in since early June. It will be good to see you soon..." With the note, "Lincoln - maybe we're on the wrong track!", Robbins sends Kirstein a photocopy of an article on a modern Nutcracker, titled "Revolutionary Tidings" (December 18, 1987). A postcard from Paris (postmarked November 14, 1989) mentions that Robbins has read a piece on Kirstein by [John] Russell, and continues: "The 'organization' of the Opera has done a complete swing around since last week, turning from total obstruction to fawning attention: don't know if it's because of my leaving our company, [or] my blasting them in the press -- probably neither -- they just want another ballet."

A later typed letter (2 pp., December 28, 1994, with original envelope) thanks Kirstein for the gift of his book on Pavel Tchelitchev and describes his enjoyment of reading about the 1928 ballet Ode, whose scenery was designed by Tchelitchev: "I burrowed right in. It has been a long held fixation of mine, to delve into it and to try to fathom out, among other things, what that lineof diminishing dolls suspended over the heads of the dancers meant..." Two final notes on Robbins' letterhead notecards (May 9, 1995, and September 14, 1995, with original envelopes) send best wishes to Kirstein near the end of his life, and mentions his West Side Story Suite ballet ("W. S. S. S."): "If you don't want to come to the opening, I'll arrange a showing for you."