Gordon Anthony Ballet and Theatrical Photograph Albums, 1935-1946

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Summary

Creators:
Anthony, Gordon
Abstract:
Gordon Anthony was born James Gordon Dawson Stannus (1902-1989) in Wicklow, Ireland. His photographs during the ballet revival in England in the 1930s helped the Royal Ballet obtain international prominence. His books include Margot Fonteyn (1950), Alicia Markova (1951) and A Camera at the Ballet: Pioneer Dancers of the Royal Ballet (1975). The collection consists of 8 large albums of photographs and clippings of British ballet and stage by Gordon Anthony as well as 400 original photographic prints.
Extent:
8 oversize boxes
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of 8 large albums of photographs and clippings of British ballet and stage photographer Gordon Anthony. 400 original photographic prints include images of Alicia Markova, Margo Fonteyn, Robert Helpmann, Terence Rattigan, Mrs. Sacheverell Sitwell, and John Gielgud. Collection also includes letters of appreciation from Gielgud and others.

Biographical / historical:

Born James Gordon Dawson Stannus, December 23, 1902 in Wicklow, Ireland; better known as Gordon Anthony, a theatrical photographer whose work revolved primarily around dance; his sister, Ninette de Valois, danced for Diaghilev and directed the Sadler's Wells and Covent Garden Ballets; his photographs during the ballet revival in England in the 1930s helped the Royal Ballet obtain international prominence; began his career in 1926, photographing students at his sister's ballet school in London; appointed official portrait photographer of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford, 1933; books include Margot Fonteyn (1950), Alicia Markova (1951), and A Camera at the Ballet: Pioneer Dancers of the Royal Ballet (1975); his 1948 publication, Studies of Dancers, was the first book of color photography in Great Britain; died July 21, 1989.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Original photographic prints of dancers (Boxes 1-2).
  2. Original photographic prints of dancers and actors (Box 3).
  3. Reproductions of photographs from the press depicting ballets and plays (Boxes 4-8).

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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