The collection of Dame Margot Fonteyn, one of the greatest ballerinas of the 20th century, is expected to realise in excess of £100,000 sterling (€166,600) when it goes for auction in London next month.
The Christie's sale on December 12th features more than 150 lots of ballet costumes and photographs from several of her most famous performances and significant items of haute couture. At 15, Margot Fonteyn (19191991) was the youngest member when she joined the Vic-Wells corps de ballet in 1934. She progressed to become their youngest principal ballerina and was regarded as one of the most gifted ballerinas of the century. Not only did she play classic roles but new roles were created specifically for her.
Her partnership with Rudolf Nureyev began in 1962 when she might have considered retirement. The partnership was to revitalise her career, extending it by close to 20 more years of dance.
She was in the Theatre Royal in Dublin in May 1957 for the first Dublin Theatre Festival. "It was the very first night of the festival. On the opening night, it was the full Swan Lake. Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes led the company," said Carolyn Swift, Irish Times ballet correspondent.
"I met her. She was a wonderful girl. The first ballet I ever went to I saw her, which was in 1941, I think. I was a teenager. I was mad about dance so I wanted to meet her. I knew someone who knew her and I went to a show and then they took me around to her dressing room to meet her afterwards. I was a total fan of hers."
On Fonteyn's achievement, Ms Swift said: "Today, dancing has progressed technically so much that technically she wouldn't be regarded as remarkable today. But her acting: it was a spirited dance. Roles she danced were never the same danced by anyone else."
Made a dame in 1956, her contribution to ballet was further celebrated when the Royal Ballet bestowed on her the title Prima Ballerina Assoluta in 1979.
Ms Carey Wallace, consultant to the entertainment department at Christie's, says the collection includes costumes Fonteyn held onto from her key ballet roles.
Fonteyn first danced the role of Odette in Swan Lake in December 1935, aged 16. The auction includes a selection of photographs from the original and later productions (estimate: £800-£1,200).
In December 1952, Swan Lake premiered at the Royal Opera House, with Fonteyn in the dual role of Odette/Odile. Tutus in the auction from the white swan Odette and the black swan Odile are estimated at £3,000-5,000 each.
In 1949, Sadlers Wells - the old name for the Royal Ballet - performed the Sleeping Beauty in New York. The New York Times pronounced Fonteyn "the world's only valid legend". Fonteyn's Rose Adagio lavishly embroidered pink silk tutu is estimated at £3,000-£5,000.
Ondine, regarded as Fonteyn's signature ballet, was premiered in October 1958. She described it in her autobiography as "a joy from beginning to end - my happiest ballet. The character of watersprite was perfect for me, naive, shy, loyal and loving and a creature of the sea. . .". The complete costume from this production, comprising an aquamarine chiffon high-waisted sleeveless dress, a rhinestone tiara, matching earrings and photographs, is estimated at £3,000-£4,000.
Two of her costumes from Romeo and Juliet, performed with Nureyev at the Royal Opera House in 1965, are estimated at £2,500-3,500.
A programme from the premiere performance of Giselle with Nureyev in 1962 is expected to fetch £200-£300.
Her Christian Dior silk wedding outfit is expected to fetch £4,000-£6,000.
