ANDREI VLADIMIROVICH (Grand Duke,1879-1956, Russian Major-General, Grandson of Tsar Alexander II, Cousin of Nicholas II)

Autograph Letter Signed 'G. Duke André' to his great-nephew Vladimir Astafiev (b.1921) and Vladimir's wife Jane (née de Vere, b.1919), in English, saying "Many thanks for your wishes for Xmas and N.Y. Wish you both also a happy New Year", on a French art postcard of the countryside, painted by mouth, no place, 14th January

Grand Duke Andrei married in 1921 the famous ballerina Matilda Kschessinska, (1872-1971), who had been Nicholas II's mistress for a while when he was Tsesarevich. Matilda's brother, the actor Joseph Kschessinsky (1868-1942), married another famous dancer, Serafima Alexandrovna Astafieva, (1876-1934), who set up her ballet school at 152 Kings Road, Chelsea, in 1916. Her son Slava Astafiev(d. 1976), Vladimir's father, married Margot Luck (d. 1976), one of his mother's pupil's. Other pupils included Alicia Markova, Anton Dolin and Margot Fonteyn.

Item Date:  1956

Stock No:  11914      £150

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