Nureyev - a Last Tribute

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Attentive readers of last year's April issue of this periodical may remember my account of Christie's auction of the contents of Rudolf Nureyev's New York apartment. There has been a further curtain call of Nureyev memorabilia in a second auction, likewise organised by Christie's, of articles from the dancer's flat in Paris. Again, urged on by my balletomane sister and with euphoric memories of the New York trip and my first experience of a major auction house, I paid day visits by train from Bath to Christie's in South Kensington to attend the viewing and sale. It was by no means the same exciting experience. Although I had organised my 'paddle' in expectation of the buying frenzy I saw in the January sale I never felt a sufficient surge of the excitement, the auction fever, that I felt in New York, to trigger a single wave of it.

I realise that this is as riveting as 'Small earthquake in Chile, not many dead'. How can a negative be of any interest? But the reasons for the strong contrasts between the New York and London experiences perhaps show profound differences of national characteristics that are of interest. The excitement generated in New York for the sale led to queues round the block on opening night and a strong theatrical sense of occasion. There was a first night audience of the very rich (and I mean seriously rich) in evening dress, who applauded the bidder who outgunned the rest. There was even a gallery, and an overflow packed with bidders, who watched the action on a …