Includes: Approx. 100 letters from La Meri to Charles (“Chet” or “Chuckie”) Miller, a “concert ethnic dance-dramatist” and apparently one-time lover and later friend of La Meri, from the 1940’s to the 1980’s, about half with envelopes. * Over 50 copies of letters from Miller to La Merie (addressed to “Dickie,” his nickname for her), many multiple pages, most from the 1960’s. * Approx. 10 large and 7 small photographs of La Meri and others, including Miller and other members of her dance troupe, plus candid photographs from later in life. * Original water-color and charcoal drawing by Miller of La Meri, done in 1943. * Seven books by La Meri. * Two large charcoal drawings of La Meri (“Dickie”) by Miller. * Plus flyers, newsletters, programs, and other ephemera relating to La Meri.
Fascinating and significant archive on the internationally known dancer, dance teacher, choreographer, and dance ethnologist, who died in 1988 at the age of 89. The “undisputed queen of ethnic dance,” La Meri was long considered the leading American authority on the subject, particularly the dance of India and Spain. She toured the world at the height of her career, in the 1920’s and 30’s. In 1940, she founded the School of Natya with Ruth St. Denis in New York, where she taught and performed with her company, the Five Natyas. Of particular interest in the archive is the long correspondence between her and Charles Miller, a member of her troupe in the 1940’s and early 50’s. The letters bespeak a lifelong friendship, and are rich with discussion of the world of ethnic dance. A complete listing of the archive is available on request.