International Tanzwettspiele Anlässlich der 11. Olympiade Berlin, 1936 (International Dance Competition at the 11th Olympiad Berlin, 1936) [With] Two Original Silver Prints of the "Tanzchor Lotte Wernicke," One Original Costume Drawing and Five Programs
Berlin: Maurer & Dimmick GmbH, 1936. First edition. Softcover. Octavo. 27 (1)pp, 2 original Silver Prints of the Tanzchor Lotte Wernicke, 6 programs, one containing an original Drawing on verso. Original tan wraps with orange lettering and Olympic rings on cover.
Introducing thirty-four dance companies from fourteen countries and their program for the competition. Notably missing from the dance competition was the American delegation with Martha Graham. England, France, Sweden and Russia also declined to send performers to Berlin, in protest against Nazi ideology. The dance companies included are Irene Vera Young (Australia), Lea Daa with Trui Hoste and Karin Gross (Belgium), the dance group directed by Boris Volkoff (Canada), Mary Wigman and her dance group, Palucca (both Germany), Angelo Grimani (Greece), Menaka and her dance group (India), Lili Green (Netherlands), Ziuta Buczynska (Poland), among others. Illustrated with b/w photographs of performances by dance companies and ballets.
The two silver prints (7 x 9 1/4") show the performance "Geburt der Arbeit (The Birth of Work)" by the Tanzchor Lotte Wernicke during the 11th Olympiad in Berlin, 1936. Stamped "Wide World Photos" on versos. Imprint "New York Times G.m.b.H.," the Berlin office. Lotte Wernicke was a master student of Mary Wigman.
Although the Olympic Committee had rejected the German request to add competitions in the art categories, dance played an important role in these Olympics. To highlight the achievements of Hitler Rudolf von Laban, known for his mastery in arranging mass scenes in choral dancing, was commissioned to direct the celebration of German Dance at the Dietrich Eckart Freilichtbühne and organize the international dance competition.
Among the noted dance companies that performed were the German companies of Mary Wigman and Harald Kreutzberg. The performance by the Tanzchor Lotte Wernicke, shown in the enclosed two silver prints, engaged some thirty male and female dancers. The dance groups depicted in the b/w photographs include folkloristic groups from Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy and various companies from Yugoslavia. The Canadians feature American Indian costumes and performances from Indian legends. Harold Kreutzberg and Angelo Grimani feature more contemporary costumes while others preferred traditional or folkloristic appearances.
A four page photo-illustrated insert introduces four companies of European Theaters and Opera Houses. Laid in are five of the official original programs, including four one page flyers and one double page program for the competitions on July 16, 22, 23, 28 and 29, 1936, all held at the Volksbühne, Theater at the Horst-Wessel-Platz.
The program for July 22, 1936 introduces the participants Menaka, Ramnayan, Gauri Shankar (India ), the Dance Group Gertha Hepper (Austria) & Mascha Arsenjew (Yugoslavia), contains an intricate original pencil drawing on its blank verso, executed professionally, showing an elegant dance costume and a detail of the costume.
Text in German. Wraps lightly age -toned with very light wear along edges and lightly rubbed. Programs and insert with very light wear along edges and lightly age-toned. Center signature loose but present. Photographs with very light wear along edges. Good- to very good condition. Item #48675
Price: $1,250.00