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Rosalind Shaffer Collection Relating to Adolf Bolm

An inventory of the collection at Syracuse University


Finding aid created by: MRC
Date: 19 Jan 2010



Biographical History

Adolf Bolm (1884-1951) was a noted choreographer, director and dancer. Born in Russia, his compatriots included Anna Pavlova, Sergei Diaghilev, and Vaslav Nijinsky. He eventually relocated to the United States where he continued to dance, teach, and mentor performers such as Syd (Cyd) Charisse, Rosalind Shaffer de Mille, and Ruth Syndon-Jenkins.

Rosalind Shaffer was a close friend of Adolf Bolm's wife Beatrice for many years; Bolm's son Olaf and Shaffer's son George were good friends as children, and Shaffer's daughter (also named Rosalind) studied ballet with Adolf Bolm. A journalist by profession, Shaffer and Mrs. Bolm compiled notes and research to be used in documenting Bolm's life and contributions to dance. The material passed to her daughter, Rosalind Shaffer de Mille, on Rosalind Shaffer's death in 2008.


Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Rosalind Shaffer Collection Relating to Adolf Bolm consists of subject files relating to Adolf Bolm. Material includes articles, photographs, correspondence, and notes (both Bolm's and others').

The Marilyn McLeod folder contains material added by the donor, reflecting her early involvement with Olaf and Rosalind, and the project. Included in this folder are a portrait of Adolf and his son Olaf (photocopy), a photograph of Rosalind de Mille standing in front of her portrait at age 17 (photocopy), a photo collage of the Bolm's Sycamore home in Hollywood, and a printout of the Adolf Bolm website's page on "Adolph Bolm and Rosalind Shaffer de Mille."


Arrangement of the Collection

Material is arranged alphabetically.


Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.


Related Material

See also the Adolf Bolm Collection. Additional information is available online at the Adolf Bolm website, http://www.Adolphbolm.com. (Note: the website uses the "Adolph" spelling; in this finding aid we have adhered to the Library of Congress Subject Heading (LCSH) spelling, "Adolf.")


Subject Headings

Persons

Bolm, Adolph, 1894-1951.
Diaghilev, Serge, 1872-1929.
Shaffer, Rosalind.
Stravinsky, Igor, 1882-1971.

Subjects

Ballet -- History -- 20th century.
Ballet dancers.
Ballet dancing.

Genres and Forms

Correspondence.
Notes (documents)
Photocopies.
Research notes.

Occupations

Ballet dancers.
Choreographers.
Dancers.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Rosalind Shaffer Collection Relating to Adolf Bolm,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Marilyn McLeod, 2009.


Table of Contents

Subject files


Inventory