Scope and arrangement
The collection contains mostly black and white 35mm negatives photographed by Dr. Johann von Kuffner from 1937 to 1970 (bulk dates 1937-1966). There are also 11 albums (1 is unnumbered) of black and white prints (ca. 4 x 5 1/2" or smaller). The photographs were taken during live performances, rehearsals, as well as ballet classes, in New York, Paris, Monte Carlo, and Vienna. Ballet companies include Ballet Theatre, Ballet International, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Ballet Society, Joos Ballet, New York City Ballet, L'Opera de Paris Ballet (Paris Opera Ballet), Original Ballet Russe, Sadler's Wells Ballet, Stanislavsky Ballet, and Wien Volksoper.
Well-known ballets, as well as infrequently performed ballets, may be found in the collection, including Le Beau Danube, Graziana, Igrouchki, and Tricorne. Also included are classes with legendary teachers such as Lubov Egorova, Nora Kiss, and Olga Preobrajenska. Of special note are negatives of Nijinsky's interment at Montmartre Cemetery in Paris.
There are also 19 reels of microfilm. These appear to be microfilms of the 35 mm negatives. (Numbers have been assigned by archivist.) Original envelope titles do not always reflect the contents accurately.
Arrangement
By format, then alphabetically by company name, title, or personal name; photograph albums are arranged numerically; photographs are listed in the same order as within the albums.