The Royal Ballet School (Signed and Inscribed Association Copy)

First edition, first impression. 160pp plus 24pp of monochrome plate photographs. 8vo. Numerous monochrome and two-tone illustrations and decorations in text. Original blue cloth boards with gilt titles on spine (boards faded at extreme edges; dust-soiled along upper text block edge). Unclipped DJ chapped along upper edge with mild chipping on spine and a few marks on back. Bright, clean and crisp pages, barring mild 'splodge' on front free endpaper. Ffep inscribed "To wish you a happy birthday Love Noel, Nov: 9th '59" The recipient was Rita Smith who, for many years, was Streatfeild's secretary and typist. DJ now protected in archival quality clear film sleeve. History of Royal Ballet School from the days of its founding by Dame Ninette de Valois, providing detailed view of how pupils are selected, their curriculum and the kind of life they have, and the School's associations with both the Royal Ballet and Sadler's Wells.