[Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo] Matisse, Henri. (1869–1954) SIGNED 1939-1940 Season Souvenir Program.66 pages. Folio, 12 x 9. 5 inches. Stapled wraps. Illustrated cover by Henri Matisse. Profusely illustrated with photos and color designs (Picasso, Dali, Berman, Tchelitcheff). Incudes an interesting description of the extraordinary conditions that led to the company coming to America: "With European capitols now closed to the ballet because of the war, the sponsors of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo sense the imperative need to preserve this form of