Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

La danza come un modo di essere [HANDWRITTEN HOMAGE OF THE AUTHOR TO BENITO MUSSOLINI, DATED ROME, JULY 11, 1927 (ANNO V)] [UNIQUE COPY]

Ruskaja, Jia (Evgeniya Fyodorovna Borisenko); Marco Ramperti (Preface by)

Milano: Casa Editrice I. R. A. G., 1927. First printing. Hardcover. Folio (13 1/4 x 9 3/4"; 33.5 x 25cm). Unpaginated. [126]pp (Text), [18] leaves (Plates). Original gilt-stamped burgundy crushed morocco, with gold lettering to spine and front cover. Moire endpapers. Fly leaf inscribed and signed by the author to Benito Mussolini.

Jia Ruskaja (born Evgeniya Fyodorovna Borisenko, 1902-1970) was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer whose dancing debut occurred on June 4, 1921 in Rome at the Casa d'Arte Bragaglia. She opened her first ballet school in Milan at the Teatro Dal Verme in 1929. Her stage name "Jia Ruskaja" means "I am Russian"

Her "La danza come un modo di essere" explores why dance is so important in many people's lives: as a form of fitness (la danza come educazione fisica), life (la danza come un modo di essere o l'improvvisazione), art (la danza come arte pura; la danza e la musica) or visual entertainment (la danza teatrale libera).

The book also places an emphasis on how cognitive skills are as important as technical skills, including the ability to learn and recall steps and choreography as efficiently as possible. For the author, dance is an expression of grace, benevolence and harmony.

Copy Nr. 1, and unique copy of this first edition, tête de tirage copy specially bound and inscribed on the first blank to il Duce, "A Benito Mussolini, ommagio di devozione e di infinita ammirazione, Jia Ruskaja, 11 lulio 1927, V" (To Benito Mussolini, omage of devotion and infinite admiration, Jia Ruskaja, July 11, 1927, Fifth year of the Fascist era).

Supposedly, as stated in the colophon, 225 other copies of this true first edition were published in 1927, but there is no example of this in any library holdings worldwide (not in OCLC), nor any recorded at auction. On the other hand, the 1928 edition (hardcover in grey cloth, and illustrated softcover) is more common.

This work is complete with its 10 large tipped-in photographic reproductions, and 16 b/w photographic reproductions on eight leaves at rear (two per leaf).

Binding rubbed along spine and edges, with some moderate and sporadic abrasion to leather. Text in Italian. Binding in overall good-, interior in very good condition. g- to vg. Item #46177

Price: $7,500.00