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Creator
Deakin, Irving
Call number
(S) *MGZMC-Res. 21
Physical description
107 folders 1010 items plus 41 duplicate items
Language
English
Preferred Citation

Irving Deakin, (S) *MGZMC-Res. 21, Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Repository
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

The major part of this collection consists of correspondence to and from Irving Deakin primarily in relation to his association with Hurok Attractions and as General Manager of the San Francisco Civic Ballet in 1947-48 and in relation to his personal and professional associations with Adolf Bolm, Anton Dolin, and Antal Dorati. The collection falls into a natural chronological arrangement that gives a broad view of Deakin's associations with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, the Original Ballet Russe, the beginnings of Ballet Theatre, the WQXR Music and balletradio program, the San Francisco Civic Ballet, and the first American tour of the Sadler's Wells Ballet.

Biographical/historical information

Irving Deakin (1894-1958) was an English-born American writer on music and dance, and a novelist, lecturer, publicity man, and radio commentator. He was educated at Eastbourne College and the Royal College of Music.

He was an editor and music critic for the British-American,London (1925-1927) and European music and theater correspondent for the International Feature Syndicate (1926-1930). He worked for a number of years, during the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's, in the press department of Hurok Attractions, Inc. He originated the radio program, Music and Ballet,on Station WQXR, New York, which ran from 1937-1943. From 1947-1948, he was general manager of the San Francisco Civic Ballet Association, and during 1957-1958 he was company manager of Ruth Page's Chicago Opera Ballet. His books on ballet are To the Ballet(1935), Ballet Profile(1936) and At the Ballet(1956). He also wrote several novels.

Irving Deakin died December 26, 1958, in New Milford, Conn., of pneumonia, following a heart attack.

Scope and arrangement

The major part of this collection consists of correspondence to and from Irving Deakin primarily in relation to his association with Hurok Attractions and as General Manager of the San Francisco Civic Ballet in 1947-48 and in relation to his personal and professional associations with Adolf Bolm, Anton Dolin, and Antal Dorati. The collection falls into a natural chronological arrangement that gives a broad view of Deakin's associations with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, the Original Ballet Russe, the beginnings of Ballet Theatre, the WQXR Music and balletradio program, the San Francisco Civic Ballet, and the first American tour of the Sadler's Wells Ballet.

Correspondents include Sol Hurok, Antal Dorati, Tamara Toumanova, Ruth Page, John Taras, Adolf Bolm, Anton Dolin, Alicia Markova, Agnes De Mille, and Dame Marie Rambert.

A small section of miscellaneous materials includes ballet scenarios, programs, Hurok notes on various aspects of the dance world, and brochures for art shows and concerts.

The Irving Deakin correspondence is arranged in two series:

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift. Natasha (Mrs. Irving) Deakin. Received: 1962-1969.

Processing information

Processed by Lacy H. McDearmon.

Using the collection

Location

Jerome Robbins Dance Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor