Dearest Emma O'Donovan (formally at Hachette now at Templar Books) spotted this absolute gem and kindly bought it for me. What a beautiful book! Thank you Emma, such a thoughtful thing to do. I will reciprocate with trips to the ballet and cake!
Published in 1946 by Sylvan Press in London, it retells just two stories, Swan Lake and Petrushka. The writer is Deryck Lynham, who was a bit of a ballet expert in the first half of the 20th century it seems and wrote other "serious" books on the subject. Although sadly, this seems to be the only volume of "tales" that he produced, which is such a shame.
Of course, what makes the book so cherishable is the illustrations, which are in fact stunning lithographs by Sylvia Green, a little known printmaker and artist who I shall have to find out more about. Redolent of Eric Ravilious (and latterly Angie Lewin and co. of "St Judes" in Aylsham, Norfolk, where my parents live), they are exactly the touchstone of reference I am always searching for when working on Ella Bella Ballerina. This has to be one of my absolute favourite vintage ballet books ever. Here are some pictures from Swan Lake. Petrushka will follow another day...
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