MOIRA SHEARER - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 26036

MOIRA SHEARER. Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Bruce - With/thanks & very best/wishes - Sincerely -/Moira Shearer." B/w, 6½x8½. Photograph by Vivienne, 20th Century Studios Ltd., London (embossed at lower left background and stamped on verso). Scottish-born redheaded ballerina Moira Shearer (1926-2006), born Moira King, shot to international stardom for her starring role in The Red Shoes (1948), a memorable film about ballet. Although she would later say that The Red Shoes was very different from the world of ballet that she knew, Shearer was greeted enthusiastically upon her U.S. debut due to the popularity of the film. She later appeared in The Tales of Hoffman (1951), The Story of Three Loves (1953), The Man Who Loved Redheads (1955), Black Tights (1960), Peeping Tom (1960) and the made-for-TV movie, A Simple Man (1987). Shearer, who had debuted with the Mona Inglesby's Ballet International in 1941, then joined Sadler's Wells Ballet, which was renamed the Royal Ballet in 1956. She toured the U.S. in 1949 and from 1950-1951 with the company, whose other stars included Margot Fonteyn. Shearer danced all the classic roles with the company until 1952, including The Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in 1946. Also the author of two books and a column for "The Daily Telegraph", from 1977-1982 Shearer lectured on ballet in the U.S. She was married to writer and broadcaster Ludovic Kennedy from 1950 until her death. Slightly creased at upper blank edge and lower left corner. Minor paper clip impression at upper right background. Fine condition.