Pair of pointe shoes worn and inscribed by Tanaquil Le Clercq (1929–2000)

Tanaquil Le Clercq, one of the most accomplished American ballerinas of the 20th century, entered the School of American Ballet in 1941 on a scholarship, and by age 19 had reached the rank of principal dancer with the New York City Ballet (NYCB). Her technique, strength, and bravery made her a muse to George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, both of whom created roles for her in a wide range of ballets. Both men were also in love with her; she married Balanchine in 1952 and remained lifelong friends with Robbins. Le Clercq contracted polio in Copenhagen during NYCB’s European tour in 1956, losing the use of her legs at just 27. But she continued to contribute to cultural life, teaching at Arthur Mitchell’s fledgling Dance Theatre of Harlem, publishing Mourka: The Autobiography of a Cat (1964) and The Ballet Cook Book (1966), and even creating crossword puzzles for The New York Times.