archives.nypl.org -- David Libidins papers (original) (raw)

The David Libidins Papers document his professional life from 1936 to 1958. Although primarily concerned with his roles as administrator and artists' manager, Libidins' correspondence reflects frequent crossovers between professional relationships and personal friendships. He was widely known as a man for whom there was no separation between the two spheres.|||In English, French and Russian with some Italian and German.

The David Libidins papers are arranged in four series:

• 622 items
  The first series of the collection (622 items) contains papers relating to World Art, Inc., later known as Universal Art, Inc. Correspondence with and between Sergei Denham, Leonide Massine, Rene Blum, Sol Hurok, Jacques Rubinstein and others, documents the purchase of Blum's Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the formation of the new Ballet Russe in 1938. As all papers are arranged chronologically, an alphabetical list of frequent and/or important correspondents is included in the register. It should be noted that the correspondents frequently use nicknames: “Libby”, “Smith” and “Clifford Smith” for Libidins; and “Clyde” for Sergei Denham.
• 886 items
  The second series of papers (886 items), relating to Igor Youskevitch, trace the long personal and professional relationship between the two, from 1941 to 1958. The correspondence, while largely relating to tours, contracts, etc., often has updates on Youskevitch's family, including his wife, the dancer Anna Scarpova. The financial papers include many exchanges with the accountant Isador Magidoff, and income tax preparations for Youskevitch.
• 2 items
  Includes A manuscript and diary written by Libidins (the third series of the collection, 2 items), present a more anecdotal description of the Ballet Russe, as well as offering insights into Libidins' own character.
• 13 items
  The fourth series contains 13 miscellaneous items.