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No prima ballerina in the history of dance has had a career that matched that of the extraordinary Anna Pavlova. During her lifetime she thrilled audiences with a technique that was so astonishingly graceful it was likened to poetry and even to coloratura singing. More than half a century has passed since her death, but time has not diminished the impact of her career, for it was Pavlova who brought ballet out of Europe's aristocratic opera halls and royal palaces and into local theatres where everyone could enjoy it. |
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This
18" doll is the first ballet doll ever offered by Franklin Mint in 1986.
She is crafted in fine porcelain and costumed in satin and lace trimmed
with sequins, faux pearls and plumes of maribou, capturing the magic of
the greatest ballerina of all time in one of her favorite roles. She
wears an authentic re-creation of the costume Pavlova wore on stage.
Born
in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1881 into a peasant family, Pavlova was a
frail child. She was accepted into the
Imperial School of Ballet at the age of ten in 1891 and despite frequent
illnesses, became a star pupil.
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She began dancing with the Maryinsky Theatre in 1899, accepted into this prestigious company as a member of the corp de ballet. She quickly advanced from second soloist to first, and became prima ballerina in 1906. She began her first foreign tour in 1907, leaving Russia permanently in 1913. "Dancing is pure romance," she once said, "and it is by the grace of romance that man sees himself not as he is, but as he should like to be . . . beautiful, free, healthy, happy, carefree." |
 The
doll, issued in 1986, is mint in her original box, with her Certificate
of Authenticity & other original papers. The box itself is worn,
taped, and in fair condition |
 Winner
pays by postal money order or cashiers check only plus $15 for insured
shipping in the continental US (no international sales unless approved
in advance on this auction). Payment must be received within 10 days of
end of auction. Whenever possible, I use recycled and/or earth-friendly
shipping supplies. |