Letters on dancing

This manual is considered one of the most important discussions regarding the style and steps of early Romantic ballet. A dancer and dancing master, Théleur (née Taylor; fl. c. 1817-c. 1844), wrote his manual in the form of a series of thirteen letters that includes a brief history of dance as well as a section devoted to social dance. The book is enhanced by full-page prints, including illustrations of dancers on full pointe. Théleurʼs dance notation system, the first in the nineteenth century, also helps illuminate theatrical dance practices of the time.