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Creator
Kirstein, Lincoln, 1907-1996
Call number
(S) *MGZMD 97
Physical description
445 folders in 25 document size boxes
Language
English
Preferred Citation

Kirstein, Lincoln, 1907-Papers, (S) *MGZMD 97, 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.
Portions of this collection have been digitized and are available online.

The papers of Lincoln Edward Kirstein, b.1907, cover the period from c. 1914 to 1991, and pertain both to his career and to his private and family life.

Biographical/historical information

American ballet director, writer, and dance historian, 1907-1995. Lincoln Kirstein was born in Rochester, NY, educated at Harvard (B.A. 1929, M.A. 1930). He married Fidelma Cadmus, sister of artist, Paul Cadmus, in 1941 and served in the U.S. Army 1943-45. He co-founded School of American Ballet with George Balanchine and Edward M.M. Warburg in 1934. Participated in the founding and/or direction of American Ballet in 1935, Ballet Caravan 1936-41, Ballet Society in 1946, and became general director of the succeeding company, New York City Ballet in 1948. Lincoln Kirstein career included work with visual artists and writers on various projects. His publications in dance include: Dance Index, 1942-48; books on Fokine, Nijinsky, New York City Ballet, a history of theatrical dance, and assistance to Romola Nijinsky in the biography of her husband, 1932-33. He retired from New York City Ballet and School of American Ballet in 1989. Kirstein was known as a sponsor (1959-60) of Japanese theater in the United States. He was the recipient of many distinguished awards.

Scope and arrangement

The papers of Lincoln Edward Kirstein, b.1907, cover the period from c. 1914 to 1991, and pertain both to his career and to his private and family life. The bulk of the collection consists of originals and some copies (with some photos, negatives and clippings enclosed) of correspondence with dancers, artists, sculptors, musicians as well as with family and friends including war letters to his friends and letter re his testamentary wishes. The collection also contains typescripts of articles, poems, stories, libretti and scenarios; clippings of reviews; miscellaneous materials representing Kirstein's interests other than ballet: i.e. theatre, art, architecture, photography and Japanese cultural traditions. The headings added for clarity are in brackets []; Lincoln Kirstein's notes written on the original folders are in parenthesis (), also his are "cf"notes [confer, compare]. Many items are fragile and require special handling. Language: English, French, Spanish and Japanese

The collection has been left as arranged by Lincoln Kirstein with his headings established for the folders. Some rearrangements were made to follow the chronological order within the folders. Files are arranged alphabetically by person or subject, with many subjects kept under Kirstein, Lincoln [under respective headings]. A separate list of see under for major companies and some other titles is appended to the folder list. Some organizations and people have correspondence in two or more places. The items were left where they were found, and "see also" headings were added. With the larger alphabetical listing, items are mostly in chronological ascending order within the individual person's or organization's folders, with the exception of "no date" items.

The headings added for clarity are in brackets []; Lincoln Kirstein's notes written on the original folders are in parenthesis (), also his are "cf" notes [confer, compare].

The Lincoln Kirstein papers are arranged in twenty-four series:

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift. Lincoln Kirstein. Received: November 29, 1993.

Processing information

Processed by Henley Haslam.

Separated material

The following items were received with the original gift but have been separated from the manuscript collection. The current location of these items (as of May 1994) is indicated.

  • New York City Ballet Press Book - Location: in process
  • Martha Graham and Dance Group Press Book - Location: in process
  • Kobashi -duplicates of programs - Location: in process
  • Photographs from Movements and Metaphor - Location: in process

Key terms

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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