12 replies to this topic

[Principessa]

Hi
I'm wondering if anyone knows if there is a place to auction ballet memoribilia other than ebay? My step mother recently passed and her and her sister have a tone of autographed pictures and significant collectibles associated with the NYCB. They both sat on the ballet guild. I was hoping they could be auctioned on a site specifically for ballet enthusiasts. I though this would be a good place to ask.
Thanks so much

[carbro]

I've seen ads for another auction site called bidz, but it is probably much like eBay.   I've never actually visited the site.  I don't know of any auction site specifically for ballet lovers -- or even arts lovers -- but perhaps other readers can suggest some.

Have you considered making a donation?  You could get a nice tax deduction.  One member who was the executor of an estate that included many NYCB artifacts donated those items to the company, and they are now (I presume) in the company's archives.

[rg]

don't know if this would help but i get mailings from an autograph dealer who may or may be interested in buying lots of ballet items.
as follows:

"Harmonie Autographs and Music, Inc." <harmonieautog@aol.com>

[California]

You might also consider donating them to the New York Public Library-Performing Arts Library for the Dance Collection. I don't believe they will do an appraisal you could use for tax purposes, but if you find listings somewhere to show market value, that should be enough. (If you look at the IRS form for charitable deductions, you do not need a professional appraisal for any items valued at less than $250.) Perhaps one of the dealers mentioned here could give you a formal appraisal.

[mira]

Would you let us know what you decide to do?  I might be interested as might others. Good luck!

[Principessa]

Thanks all for your suggestions. I will be speaking with my Father to see what he wants to do. I'm thinking though that we will probably put some stuff on ebay since that is what we are most familiar with. I did check with donating and most organizations are already filled to capacity and are not accepting donations due to limited storage. If we do ebay I will post it here just in case some of the members are interested. If anyone is interested in what we have before it goes for auction you can email me at spaggia64@gmail.com and when we get a list and photos together I can send it to you.

[carbro]

[Principessa]

HiAll I thought I would give you an update in case there was some interest. I have gone through what we have and so far these are the items we are putting up for sale. They are all pictures except for 3 items. As my father cleans out the basement and attic there will probably be more. Here is what we have so far:

Approx. 52-NYCB Publicity photos-
(Approx. 1/2 are of Edward Villela, the rest are various artists-most pics are stamped in the back by NYCB and are also stamped with the dancers name(s))
2 do have autographs but the ink has faded so you can only see the impression of the signatures
2- NYCB posters
1-Ballanchine photo book by Steven Caras-signed by Steven Caras

I also have 2 photos of Balanchine but we are waiting on an appraisal. As soon as we get the appraisal we will put them up also.

Again if anyone is interested I have a full list of descriptions of the pics. Some have already emailed me so they will get first choice, which accounts for about 1/2. You can email me at spaggia64@gmail.com. Please only serious inquiries.
Thanks so much

[richard53dog]

rg, on 28 March 2011 - 02:03 PM, said:

don't know if this would help but i get mailings from an autograph dealer who may or may be interested in buying lots of ballet items.
as follows:

"Harmonie Autographs and Music, Inc." <harmonieautog@aol.com>

This is another autograph dealer I have had good experiences with. He doesn't carry that much ballet stuff, it's mostly classical music and opera but it may still be a match:


http://www.musicautographs.com/

The outfit's name is La Scala Autographs

[Richka]

richard53dog, on 14 May 2011 - 05:56 AM, said:

rg, on 28 March 2011 - 02:03 PM, said:

don't know if this would help but i get mailings from an autograph dealer who may or may be interested in buying lots of ballet items.
as follows:

"Harmonie Autographs and Music, Inc." <harmonieautog@aol.com>

This is another autograph dealer I have had good experiences with. He doesn't carry that much ballet stuff, it's mostly classical music and opera but it may still be a match:


http://www.musicautographs.com/

The outfit's name is La Scala Autographs

[Richka]

The Ballet Russe premiere danseur George Zoritch left a considerable amount of rare ballet memorabilia. Oddly enough, after his death in 2009, the NY Performing Arts Library refused to take any of it. Also various Universities, including the University of Arizona where he taught for 18 years, refused it. Finally it was given to Kaatsbaan, the summer ballet training school in upstate NY.

[mira]

hi Principessa, just saw your post from May 14 - am wondering if either the NYCB posters
ot the Ballanchine photo book by Steven Caras-signed by Steven Caras is still available?  thanks!

[Principessa]

mira, on 11 June 2011 - 03:47 PM, said:

hi Principessa, just saw your post from May 14 - am wondering if either the NYCB posters
ot the Ballanchine photo book by Steven Caras-signed by Steven Caras is still available?  thanks!

Yes, both are still available. Please email me at spaggia64@gmail.com for the specifics. Thanks