These include the significant, personal collections of RAD founders Adeline Genée, Phyllis Bedells and Philip Richardson which provide further insight into the lives and careers of these important figures. The GBL Wilson photographic archive provides a unique overview of the British Ballet scene between 1940 and 1980 and includes several RAD functions and events. The author and book designer Peter L. Moldon researched extensively on Margot Fonteyn and his papers include many notes on performances, article proofs and photographs as well as the full unpublished manuscript for his stage biography on Fonteyn. Beryl Grey’s personal collection of photographs and press cuttings provide an overview of her extensive career, while less extensive personal archives include materials from early RAD Members and teachers Dorothy Chaplin, Theresa Heyman and Sissie Smith, which complement the RAD Heritage Archive. Recent acquisitions include the Dancing Times photographic archive which complements and extends the photographic coverage of the existing photo collections, and the Kenneth MacMillan archive collection documenting the life and career of one of British ballets most important and influential choreographers.
The collection includes scrapbooks, notebooks, articles and illustration alongside Richardson's personal collection of ballroom and charity matinée programmes. Photographs were added to the collection in 2021 and given by the Dancing Times who also donated Richardson's typewriter and bookcase.
Richardson, Philip John Sampey (1875-1963)Contains handwritten manuscript for an article about Mrs Cornelys and proposed title page for book? (author unknown). Press cuttings announcing meetings at Carlisle House from 1763-1780, and related press coverage are also included, along with an obituary for Mrs Cornelys and the only known portrait of Mrs Teresa Cornelys, dated 1772, plus social dance cartoons by George Cruickshank. Many loose prints, drawings and lithographs related to London Assembly rooms in second half of the 18th century are also inserted.
The letter was written to enclose the particulars of the assembly for His Royal Highness's inspection, and is addressed to York House, Portman Square - the residence of HRH Prince Fredrick, Duke of York
In the letter he is seeking the Duke's patronage for an assembly.
The notice is addressed to the 'Nobility and Gentry, Resident at Richmond, and its Vicinity', and gives details of four subscription balls, under the direction of Mr D'Egville (Ballet-Master at the Opera House), to take place during November and December 1804.
The notice records the resolutions passed at a meeting held for the purposes of taking into consideration the best mode of conducting this assembly for the present season, presented by T. Southwood, Treasurer.