Miss Ambrose's first book, The Ballet-Lover's Pocket-Book, of which over 50,000 sold, is concerned with the technique of classical ballet; this particular book is a guide to the aesthetics of ballet and is in every way an essential companion to her earlier work. It includes sections on choreography, tradition, style, stage-sense, physique, 'line', partnering, musicality, and many other aspects of ballet, of which even the most ardent balletomanes are often unaware, and without knowledge of which it is impossible to develop a true critical appreciation. Miss Ambrose's explanatory drawings display the same brilliance of line, accuracy and humour that distinguish The Ballet-Lover's Pocket-Book, and, as the discriminating balletomane will observe, many well-known dancers have collaborated with her.
The 1949, Adam & Charles Black published hardback edition of The Ballet Lovers Companion including the original dust jacket. The dust jacket has a significant amount of damage as shown in the photos, however it is not price clipped and the only owners mark is a small marking of The Exonia Library in Exeter. The pages show some light spotting but nothing detracts from the brilliance of the illustrations throughout this book. A necessary accompaniment to any ballet lovers library.
