This is the “standardized text” version of the Mascot Moskovina documents. This version is presented in an easily readable and searchable format. Punctuation is modernized and inserted where needed for clarity. Abbreviations are spelled out, insertions are incorporated, and crossouts and duplicate words are deleted. First words in sentences have been capitalized; other capitalization issues have not been edited. Moskovina’s spelling is routinely irregular and creative; where it is possible to discern her meaning, spelling has been standardized.


[p. 1]
My darling little Nondas,
A few days ago I answered the letter of your dear Mama, but as there is no Boat leaving till March 20th I have waited till today write an answer to your dear letter. My what a Beautiful Surprise for Xmas you had. Such a lovely doll, or rather I should more befittingly say daughter. I hope she is very good and sleeps, for did not mention whether she closes her eyes or not. It so bad for the health to keep awake all the time, besides it develops a habit of being inquisitive. You want to be very careful how you look after a big girl like that. Is she also inclined towards dancing? About the name. If you have not had her Baptized yet, I might say that I never heard being (very ignorant about Opera artist) of this Lady. I only know the names of the Dancers. I was surprised secretly I suppose. You will think I am going to extreme, but with your love for Dancing I thought you would give her the name of a Dancer. But I see your taste has changed to Opera. I thought you might have named her “Pavlova” or “Pavlovena” (writley[?] in a ca◊◊◊ing ma◊◊◊ is Russian). As also that great lady has dark hair and eyes although curly and how do you know that perhaps Mme. Amelito wears a wig when Pavlova wears her curly wigs like in Bacchanal or other Dances. I am sure she must

[p. 2]
resemble your doll. I am so sorry I could not send you a little gift to brighten up your Xmas but I think your dear Mama told you my circumstances in Rio de Janeiro. Neither could I get any Xmas Cards, so I had to manufacture one which I hope reaches you without being torn or [illegible]. It is not the card that counts; it’s my wishes & thoughts. This is the first letter I have received from you and Mama since last July, so you see I had no idea what had become of you and I hated to be without news. You must always write to me no matter what happens although I am no good so far away and in a very bad fix myself. If I were in the states I might be of more use to you. My darling little kiddie, about the dancing you need not be discouraged. Here I tell you frankly with the increasing expenses and all of toe dancing it is becoming besides very painful very expensive for the shoes, also with you inability of having the proper instruction. But do not lose heart for Toe Dancing is not the only thing in the world. Do you remember Stasia Kheen from Pavlova’s Company, the Character Soloist? a Dark eyes & Haired girl? Well, she never danced on the Toes. In fact she was unable to. It caused her too much pain so she went in for character dancing and in the Company achieved a bigger success than sometimes the Toe Dancers. She was greatly liked by the Public and her work beautiful.

[p.] 3
And there are very many more pretty dresses to be worn in Character, like Egyptian, Bacchanal, Russian, Chardash, Polish, Hungarian, Gypsy Fantasies etc, Oriental whilst a Poor Toe Dancer wears the same costumes merely decorated a little here and there & changed but always the same foundations. Then there are very pretty Toe numbers like Mendelsohn’s Springsong Done in a Crinoline costume with a basket of flowers and very quiled[?] mostly posing and a little running on the toes hope you can understand my marvelous designs [see figure in margin] This is very simple but very effective as a solo but the music is long and must be cut. Then of course there are dozens of character numbers but those you have to be taught. You are still very young and character dancing can be learned up till 20 & 22. I know girls who were older & learnt but in the meantime I advise you to put your heart & soul into millinery & dressmaking, even if you do not use it as a profession. For let me tell you no matter how rich or poor or what a great artist, if you understand a little bit about it you will be able to originate and use your own ideas for costumes & all. The other way you have to depend on others, and that is very hard in the theatrical line especially and very expensive. Also use your ideas & [continued below]

< [Top: Sketch of a dancer in costume]
This dress made in a Sap [sapphire?] blue Taffeta with three ruffles 3 [marked on sketch] and a little lace collar like [illegible] Flowers in the hair

[Bottom: Sketch of flower basket]
Pardon me Nondas but do not make a mistake This is no coal scuttle but a Basket with flowers >

[p.] 4
[description of costume]
< Chief colors yellows greens blues reds & gold.
[Sketch of a dancer in costume]
Headdress is [inset sketch of headdress] a piece of gold Braid two inches wide studded with green red & blue stones with O and the sides studded with stones & Beads hanging down. Dress is of a piece of [illegible] material with two pressed Plates made all of the gold Braid Studded with stones & stones din◊◊◊ on the costume. Then a belt X of gold braid studded with stones and the skirt (2) is Pieces of all colors of chiffon shredded from the arms come two pieces of greenish blue chiffon and Gold snake ornaments and on the feet & hands [sketch of foot with shoe] also gold braid made into Bracelets and rings on the toes & fingers & colored beads around the neck. >

design no matter how bad you draw but gradually you will develop & to design & originate your own costumes is very nice. The above costume is a [oriental?] musical costume good for the music of Grieg’s Arietta Dance, which is very easy to arrange music to. If you have in any way a little knack in making things you could make this costume [see figure in margin]. So do not get discouraged but learn well all your dear mama let you learn as far as she is possible to afford the different tuition. Above all do not do like I did waste your mama’s good money & energy & give her no return for what she has worked so hard to let you have the benefit of. That Bare foot dancing in the snow I call ridiculous. I will look you up some stamps and enclose them, although I have not had any new ones lately and not traveling I get no chance to collect any. Beside I have been too busy working hard to bother with stamps but it is a very interesting occupation. Do you go in for painting? You ought to get a box of water colors & try your taste in coloring. Take [illegible] pictures or anything & put your ideas of colors on the dresses & costumes.


[p.] 5/
In pasting in your stamps you want to be careful & use certain paper so the are able to be taken out again. Also examine[?] each stamp carefully as every line I or corner counts. For instance, one stamp is just the same as the other only perhaps & corner or hock is different get a little magnifying glass [sketch of stamps] then some times the printing[?] is thicker on one stamp than another and the paper & the color all these details you must study for they make a great difference in the stamp. I will enclose you few examples to show you what I mean. Oh by the way, do you know I still have my big doll from when I was 7 years old and she has travelled with me all over the continent Europe England & all & is back in the States, and if Baby has not smashed her she is still alive. (Pavlova makes & prettiest doll & Paper Feet a Dark Doll in Coppelia). My doll has beautiful natural fair brown hair and sleeps & eats but being rather old now is a bit loose in the legs & arms and head. You see feebleness from having been knocked about so much poor dear. I call her like everything else “Mascot.” It is terrible conceited of me but I love my name “Mascot,” and to me it sounds so nice that you see my doll when I was little got the name and now my real big natural Baby also has the name. If I have another Baby I will

[p. 6]
Mascotte for I am at loss for any other name than that. I guess you will say, my how conceited she is. When I came to look at your letter, I think really [th]at Amelita does sound very nice. It is more warm and sympathetic than Pavlova. The weather here is beginning to cool off and we are having Autumn weather, but Oh I cannot imagine such weather & you say but sure I would enjoy having a snow ball fight with you in a hairy[?] fur coat[?] and a Eskimo suit, but no thank you for the Greek Costume & Barefoot dancing in the snow. I must refuse the invitation as I have a bad toes for such occasions. Well, darling Nondas I must finish. They are bothering me for the last hour to come and have my dinner, so with Heaps Big Kisses (as the Injun says) and Heap much Hug to Both your adorable Mama like my mama one of the Best on the world, when there are so few really sensible & good ones) I remain with miles of Love.
Your sincere friend
Mascot
Moskovina

< Mind you, write me another long letter or else I don’t know what I won’t do to you. I'll come all the way by wishes & kiss you to death. >

Comment on this page