Rare Nureyev ballet slippers being auctioned

A pair of leather ballet slippers used by legendary ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev will be sold this Sunday, August 30 at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine. Originally sold through a WGBH Boston PBS fundraiser event in 1967 when the station was sponsoring a Royal Ballet program including a performance by Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, the family of the original buyer has consigned them to auction.

Thomaston Place Owner and Auctioneer Kaja Veilleux said, “We are honored to present these rare slippers from one of the greatest dancers of all time at our August auction.”

Housed in a Plexiglas display case, the Capezio slippers are size 7EEE and signed by Nureyev in Cyrillic and Latin letters.  They are also marked “Boston” and dated March 8, 1967. 

Nureyev was known for being protective of his ballet slippers, often using them until they were in tatters. Therefore, it is rare that a pair in this condition would be available to the market.    

The auction will also include large collections of American, European and Old Master artwork, fine luxury objects (such as a circa 1900 Faberge gold and guilloche enamel pen and Georg Jensen silver flatware), estate jewelry, antique furniture and folk art.

The auction will begin at 11 a.m. A complete, full-color catalog with detailed descriptions and photographs is available and all lots can be viewed at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ website, www.thomastonauction.com. 

In addition to live bidding in the auction hall, Thomaston Place accepts bids via absentee, telephone and on the Internet. Call 1-800-924-1032 or 1-207-354-8141 for more information. 

The gallery is open for previews today through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day.

Photo: A pair of leather Capezio ballet slippers used and signed by Rudolf Nureyev. Photo courtesy of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries.