Haskell, Arnold L. Some Studies in Ballet.

London, Lamley and Co, [1928].
4to, 198 pp., ill.

In original wrappers and modern clamshell box.
Near very good condition, very light wear to wrappers and spine, minor loss to front cover top edge, scattered foxing.

This book, 'the impressions of an art critic on ballet in general and the Russian ballet in particular', was written by Arnold Haskell (1903–1980), a British dance critic and the most renowned ballet critic of his generation. Haskell became an enthusiastic admirer of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and played a significant role in the dance world, co-founding the Camargo Ballet Society in 1930. He was also instrumental in the development of the Royal Ballet School, later serving as its headmaster. From 1935, he was the dance critic for 'The Daily Telegraph' and edited 'The Ballet Annual' from 1947 to 1963.
The book is divided into three chapters: 'The Artists', which discusses prominent figures such as Vera Trefilova, Tamara Karsavina, Anna Pavlova, Anton Dolin, and Vera Nemtchinova; 'On Ballet in General', which explores topics like Jean-Georges Noverre and modern ballet, the role of décor, the male dancer, the literary element, and the future of ballet; and 'Studies in Choreography', which focuses on the works of Michel Fokine, Léonide Massine, Bronislava Nijinska, and George Balanchine.
Published when Haskell was just 25, this book was one of his earliest works. In the same year, 1928, he also published 'Vera Trefilova: A Study in Classicism', and 'Some Studies in Ballet' was dedicated to the great ballerina Vera Trefilova.