Son: Bradley Martin, Jr.
Daughter: Cornelia, Countess of Craven
Daughter of Isaac Sherman. She married Bradley Martin. Her married name became Bradley-Martin. On 10 February 1897 She threw an elaborate costume party at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, which drew much criticism in the press.
The Bradley-Martin Ball was a lavish costume ball at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City on the night of February 10, 1897. Mrs. Cornelia Bradley-Martin organized the ball, with the intention of making it "the greatest party in the history of the city". Eight hundred socialites spent about $400,000 imitating kings and queens. Mrs. Bradley-Martin's stated intention was to create an economic stimulus for New York City, which was at the end of the Long Depression which began in 1873 and included the Panic of 1893. Across the country, preachers and editorial writers argued over the propriety of a party that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the end, the ball was a social triumph but created negative publicity
Before The Ball
In the three weeks leading up to it, New York society made the ball its one topic of discussion. The Commercial Advertiser exclaimed: "There is a great stir today in fashionable circles and even in public circles. The cause of it all is the Bradley Martin ball, beside which the arbitration treaty, the Cuban question, and the Lexow investigation seem to have become secondary matters of public interest."The Bradley-Martins drew fire from all directions, as newspapers criticized its extravagance and during their sermons, clergymen urged their congregations not to attend. One clergyman denounced the ball by saying "you rich people put next to nothing in the collection plate, and yet you'll spend thousands of dollars on Mrs. Bradley-Martin's ball". The New York World said, in the group of guests were eighty-six persons whose total wealth was "more than most men can grasp." There were a dozen men who had $10,000,000 or more, and twice as many with $5,000,000. Of the forty men present, said the World, not half a dozen were not millionaires. The guests included: John Jacob Astor as Henry IV of France and his wife as Marie Antoinette , Mr. James L. Breese as the Duc de Guise, Mrs. Charles Childs as Lady Teazle, Mr. Hermann Oelrichs as a Dutch Bergomaster, Mrs. Charles Post as Mme. de Maintenon, Stanford White in a Court costume of black velvet and white satin, the artist Adolfo Müller-Ury as a Spanish toreador, Miss Pierpont Morgan as Queen Louise of Prussia, and Mrs. Hamilton Fish Webster as Maria Theresa.
Concept
Mrs. Bradley-Martin's idea was to give a costume ball at so short notice that her guests would not have time to get their dresses from Paris, and instead support local businesses. This overlapped with the idea that it was much better for the laboring people if the wealthy spent their money locally instead of taking it to Europe.
The Reverend Dr. Rainsford believed in the rich giving money to be distributed as charity, whereas others, including the members of the Musical Mutual Protective Union (MMPU), disagreed. They believed in the wealthy spending their wealth in enjoying themselves, and thus giving hundreds and thousands of working people an opportunity to earn money and maintain their self-respect instead of having to accept charity. The MMPU became indignant when they heard that the Marine Band was to be at the ball instead of musicians from their union. The members of the Marine Band did not urgently need the money that they were going to receive from the ball.
Preparations
Florist Small was in charge of the decorations for the Bradley-Martin ball. Decorating the Waldorf began on the morning of February 9 by A.W. Merritt, Small's colleague. In the days leading up to the event, dealers' stocks and household stores were ransacked to supply the demand for ornaments and historical accuracy. All the jewelers who dealt in antiques were cleaned out of all they had on hand. Jewels held as heirlooms by the old families of New York were taken from safety vaults. Laces that had been locked away in family chests or in safe deposit vaults for long years had been retrieved.
Twelve hundred invitations were issued for the event, and more than half of those invited were in attendance. Some who did come also left early, seeming to have made an appearance out of curiosity.
The Waldorf
"The interior of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel was transformed into a replica of Versailles, and rare tapestries, beautiful flowers and countless lights made an effective background for the wonderful gowns and their wearers."
Police officers stood guard at the entrance to the Waldorf. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley-Martin arrived first at 10:15 pm. At half past 10 a group of carriages arrived and before 11 the stream of guests had become continuous. The guests were ushered in to the Waldorf, whereupon they ascended to the corridors on the second floor where 15 dressing rooms were available for the use and comfort of the guests.Some guests, preferring not to expose themselves on the street while wearing tempting fortunes in jewels and laces, changed into their costumes at this point. This wasn't done through any feeling of fear, but merely as a wise precaution. Wigmakers and make-up artists were available in these rooms. When leaving the dressing rooms the guests headed to the smaller ballroom. It was here where Mrs. Bradley-Martin received her guests. A lackey announced the guests' names and the characters they impersonated to her. This stream of guests poured by her for nearly 90 minutes and it was after midnight before she was able to enter the main ballroom to take her place in the opening quadrille d'honneur.
The Costumes
Mrs. Bradley-Martin requested her guests to pick something from the 16th, 17th, or 18th centuries, and some came dressed as George Washington, a Japanese nobleman, an Egyptian princess and Pocahontas. A list was compiled and published in the New York Times three days prior to the event, listing guests and the historical characters they were going to impersonate and what costumes they were going to wear.Mrs. Bradley-Martin "personated Mary Stuart, and her gold embroidered gown was trimmed with pearls and precious stones worth more than $60,000.Bradley (Martin), as Louis XV, wore a Court suit of brocade"."In many cases the diamond buttons worn by the men represented thousands of dollars, and the value of the historic gems worn by the ladies baffles description."Otto Cushing, a young artist from Boston, created quite a stir when he appeared as an Italian falconer's costume which consisted of full body tights, a short jacket and a cap with a stuffed falcon on one arm. "The costume left little to the imagination as far as the figure was concerned, and, although historically correct in every detail, was so decidedly pronounced that he made a sensation wherever he moved." Mrs. Caroline Astor, as usual, was ablaze with diamonds and wore her famous diamond stomacher, 200 stone diamond necklace and diamond star tiara. The jewelry the guests wore was estimated to be worth $20 million total.
The Decorations
The smaller ballroom was set throughout with furniture of the Louis XV period, and the walls were hung with tapestry draperies. Roses were hurled en masse against the draperies and let remain where they landed. The side of the room, where the Hungarian band was placed, was concealed by long-stemmed roses and garlands were dropped from the center to each side and over the mirrors.The Hungarian Band, under the leadership of Carl Berlinger, played 12 concert selections, chosen by Mrs. Bradley-Martin, throughout the evening.
Upon entering the grand ballroom the guests faced a wall in which 15 mirrors were imbedded. The far side of the room, the musicians' balcony, was concealed by pink roses, with garlands also hanging from above. There were over 5,000 roses and 3,000 orchids in these various groupings.
The café and the court were also decorated, with a desired homelike effect.125 tables were set up, each to accommodate six guests, with a centerpiece of Beauty roses.
The Music
The danse d'honneur, arranged by Mrs. Caroline Astor, opened the ball. The company was led by Mrs. Bradley-Martin, in the role of the Queen, escorted by Mr. John Jacob Astor as the King. For this danse d'honneur, the orchestra played music composed by Beethoven. Following this, the orchestra started playing one of Chopin's polonaises announcing the approach of Mrs. Edmund L. Baylies and her associates for the minuet. When they formed for the minuet the orchestra struck into Mozart's dance music out of "Don Giovanni". The dance of the debutantes was next, and it was livelier than the others and the most difficult of all. The members of this set, organized by Mrs. Frederic Bronson, danced a Hungarian Court quadrille, the Kormagyar, in music arranged by Allen Dodworth.This quadrille ended the exhibition dances. General dancing followed the three quadrilles until supper time.
The Dinner
"Between the grand ballroom and the cafe, used on this occasion for the supper room, is a barricade of windows, which were thrown open about 1 o'clock in the morning, and the guests were then at liberty to enjoy the delights of the cuisine. The menu was as follows:
CHAUD
Consommé de Volaille
Bouillon de Clovis
Homard à la Newburg
Huitres à la Viennoise
Poularde farcie aux truffes
Filet de Boeuf Jardinière
Terrapene désossée à la Baltimore
Canard canvasback
FROID
Galantine à la Victoria
Terrine de Foie Gras
Cailles piquées à la Gelce
Chaud-froid de Pluviers
Jambon en Danier
Mayonnaise de Volaille
ENTREMETS DE DOUCEUR
Gelée aux Fruits
Gauffres Chantilly
Gâteaux Madeleine
Biscuits glacés, Fatma
Sorbet fin de Siècle
Tutti-Frutti
Café Parfait
Plombière aux Marrons
Glaces de Fantaisie
Petits Fours. Fruits, Bonbons
Café"
The Favors
The cotillion commenced at three, and spectators found amusement as the gentlemen danced it with swords at their sides. Swords got tangled in gowns and laces, and courtiers tripped over them, to the delight of the spectators. Elisha Dyer, Jr. led the cotillion.
Mrs. Bradley-Martin selected small silver figures and a staff as "favors" for each of the guests of the ball. The "favors" were awarded by Elisha Dyer, Jr. as leader of the cotillion.
Reception and Controversy
After the ball many ministers preached against its excessive consumption and the authorities promptly raised Bradley-Martin's taxes (as well as those of their friends and fellow-attendees the Astors) quite out of proportion to those paid by anyone else. The Bradley-Martins returned to England, where they had owned a home for several years, and Scotland, where they leased a 65,000-acre (260 km2) estate, Balmacaan.
Although historians have repeated oft-told half-truths without conducting primary research, the Bradley-Martin ball is perhaps best-remembered as the end of the excesses of the Gilded Age.
Daughter: Cornelia, Countess of Craven
Daughter of Isaac Sherman. She married Bradley Martin. Her married name became Bradley-Martin. On 10 February 1897 She threw an elaborate costume party at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, which drew much criticism in the press.
The Bradley-Martin Ball was a lavish costume ball at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City on the night of February 10, 1897. Mrs. Cornelia Bradley-Martin organized the ball, with the intention of making it "the greatest party in the history of the city". Eight hundred socialites spent about $400,000 imitating kings and queens. Mrs. Bradley-Martin's stated intention was to create an economic stimulus for New York City, which was at the end of the Long Depression which began in 1873 and included the Panic of 1893. Across the country, preachers and editorial writers argued over the propriety of a party that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the end, the ball was a social triumph but created negative publicity
Before The Ball
In the three weeks leading up to it, New York society made the ball its one topic of discussion. The Commercial Advertiser exclaimed: "There is a great stir today in fashionable circles and even in public circles. The cause of it all is the Bradley Martin ball, beside which the arbitration treaty, the Cuban question, and the Lexow investigation seem to have become secondary matters of public interest."The Bradley-Martins drew fire from all directions, as newspapers criticized its extravagance and during their sermons, clergymen urged their congregations not to attend. One clergyman denounced the ball by saying "you rich people put next to nothing in the collection plate, and yet you'll spend thousands of dollars on Mrs. Bradley-Martin's ball". The New York World said, in the group of guests were eighty-six persons whose total wealth was "more than most men can grasp." There were a dozen men who had $10,000,000 or more, and twice as many with $5,000,000. Of the forty men present, said the World, not half a dozen were not millionaires. The guests included: John Jacob Astor as Henry IV of France and his wife as Marie Antoinette , Mr. James L. Breese as the Duc de Guise, Mrs. Charles Childs as Lady Teazle, Mr. Hermann Oelrichs as a Dutch Bergomaster, Mrs. Charles Post as Mme. de Maintenon, Stanford White in a Court costume of black velvet and white satin, the artist Adolfo Müller-Ury as a Spanish toreador, Miss Pierpont Morgan as Queen Louise of Prussia, and Mrs. Hamilton Fish Webster as Maria Theresa.
Concept
Mrs. Bradley-Martin's idea was to give a costume ball at so short notice that her guests would not have time to get their dresses from Paris, and instead support local businesses. This overlapped with the idea that it was much better for the laboring people if the wealthy spent their money locally instead of taking it to Europe.
The Reverend Dr. Rainsford believed in the rich giving money to be distributed as charity, whereas others, including the members of the Musical Mutual Protective Union (MMPU), disagreed. They believed in the wealthy spending their wealth in enjoying themselves, and thus giving hundreds and thousands of working people an opportunity to earn money and maintain their self-respect instead of having to accept charity. The MMPU became indignant when they heard that the Marine Band was to be at the ball instead of musicians from their union. The members of the Marine Band did not urgently need the money that they were going to receive from the ball.
Preparations
Florist Small was in charge of the decorations for the Bradley-Martin ball. Decorating the Waldorf began on the morning of February 9 by A.W. Merritt, Small's colleague. In the days leading up to the event, dealers' stocks and household stores were ransacked to supply the demand for ornaments and historical accuracy. All the jewelers who dealt in antiques were cleaned out of all they had on hand. Jewels held as heirlooms by the old families of New York were taken from safety vaults. Laces that had been locked away in family chests or in safe deposit vaults for long years had been retrieved.
Twelve hundred invitations were issued for the event, and more than half of those invited were in attendance. Some who did come also left early, seeming to have made an appearance out of curiosity.
The Waldorf
"The interior of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel was transformed into a replica of Versailles, and rare tapestries, beautiful flowers and countless lights made an effective background for the wonderful gowns and their wearers."
Police officers stood guard at the entrance to the Waldorf. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley-Martin arrived first at 10:15 pm. At half past 10 a group of carriages arrived and before 11 the stream of guests had become continuous. The guests were ushered in to the Waldorf, whereupon they ascended to the corridors on the second floor where 15 dressing rooms were available for the use and comfort of the guests.Some guests, preferring not to expose themselves on the street while wearing tempting fortunes in jewels and laces, changed into their costumes at this point. This wasn't done through any feeling of fear, but merely as a wise precaution. Wigmakers and make-up artists were available in these rooms. When leaving the dressing rooms the guests headed to the smaller ballroom. It was here where Mrs. Bradley-Martin received her guests. A lackey announced the guests' names and the characters they impersonated to her. This stream of guests poured by her for nearly 90 minutes and it was after midnight before she was able to enter the main ballroom to take her place in the opening quadrille d'honneur.
The Costumes
Mrs. Bradley-Martin requested her guests to pick something from the 16th, 17th, or 18th centuries, and some came dressed as George Washington, a Japanese nobleman, an Egyptian princess and Pocahontas. A list was compiled and published in the New York Times three days prior to the event, listing guests and the historical characters they were going to impersonate and what costumes they were going to wear.Mrs. Bradley-Martin "personated Mary Stuart, and her gold embroidered gown was trimmed with pearls and precious stones worth more than $60,000.Bradley (Martin), as Louis XV, wore a Court suit of brocade"."In many cases the diamond buttons worn by the men represented thousands of dollars, and the value of the historic gems worn by the ladies baffles description."Otto Cushing, a young artist from Boston, created quite a stir when he appeared as an Italian falconer's costume which consisted of full body tights, a short jacket and a cap with a stuffed falcon on one arm. "The costume left little to the imagination as far as the figure was concerned, and, although historically correct in every detail, was so decidedly pronounced that he made a sensation wherever he moved." Mrs. Caroline Astor, as usual, was ablaze with diamonds and wore her famous diamond stomacher, 200 stone diamond necklace and diamond star tiara. The jewelry the guests wore was estimated to be worth $20 million total.
The Decorations
The smaller ballroom was set throughout with furniture of the Louis XV period, and the walls were hung with tapestry draperies. Roses were hurled en masse against the draperies and let remain where they landed. The side of the room, where the Hungarian band was placed, was concealed by long-stemmed roses and garlands were dropped from the center to each side and over the mirrors.The Hungarian Band, under the leadership of Carl Berlinger, played 12 concert selections, chosen by Mrs. Bradley-Martin, throughout the evening.
Upon entering the grand ballroom the guests faced a wall in which 15 mirrors were imbedded. The far side of the room, the musicians' balcony, was concealed by pink roses, with garlands also hanging from above. There were over 5,000 roses and 3,000 orchids in these various groupings.
The café and the court were also decorated, with a desired homelike effect.125 tables were set up, each to accommodate six guests, with a centerpiece of Beauty roses.
The Music
The danse d'honneur, arranged by Mrs. Caroline Astor, opened the ball. The company was led by Mrs. Bradley-Martin, in the role of the Queen, escorted by Mr. John Jacob Astor as the King. For this danse d'honneur, the orchestra played music composed by Beethoven. Following this, the orchestra started playing one of Chopin's polonaises announcing the approach of Mrs. Edmund L. Baylies and her associates for the minuet. When they formed for the minuet the orchestra struck into Mozart's dance music out of "Don Giovanni". The dance of the debutantes was next, and it was livelier than the others and the most difficult of all. The members of this set, organized by Mrs. Frederic Bronson, danced a Hungarian Court quadrille, the Kormagyar, in music arranged by Allen Dodworth.This quadrille ended the exhibition dances. General dancing followed the three quadrilles until supper time.
The Dinner
"Between the grand ballroom and the cafe, used on this occasion for the supper room, is a barricade of windows, which were thrown open about 1 o'clock in the morning, and the guests were then at liberty to enjoy the delights of the cuisine. The menu was as follows:
CHAUD
Consommé de Volaille
Bouillon de Clovis
Homard à la Newburg
Huitres à la Viennoise
Poularde farcie aux truffes
Filet de Boeuf Jardinière
Terrapene désossée à la Baltimore
Canard canvasback
FROID
Galantine à la Victoria
Terrine de Foie Gras
Cailles piquées à la Gelce
Chaud-froid de Pluviers
Jambon en Danier
Mayonnaise de Volaille
ENTREMETS DE DOUCEUR
Gelée aux Fruits
Gauffres Chantilly
Gâteaux Madeleine
Biscuits glacés, Fatma
Sorbet fin de Siècle
Tutti-Frutti
Café Parfait
Plombière aux Marrons
Glaces de Fantaisie
Petits Fours. Fruits, Bonbons
Café"
The Favors
The cotillion commenced at three, and spectators found amusement as the gentlemen danced it with swords at their sides. Swords got tangled in gowns and laces, and courtiers tripped over them, to the delight of the spectators. Elisha Dyer, Jr. led the cotillion.
Mrs. Bradley-Martin selected small silver figures and a staff as "favors" for each of the guests of the ball. The "favors" were awarded by Elisha Dyer, Jr. as leader of the cotillion.
Reception and Controversy
After the ball many ministers preached against its excessive consumption and the authorities promptly raised Bradley-Martin's taxes (as well as those of their friends and fellow-attendees the Astors) quite out of proportion to those paid by anyone else. The Bradley-Martins returned to England, where they had owned a home for several years, and Scotland, where they leased a 65,000-acre (260 km2) estate, Balmacaan.
Although historians have repeated oft-told half-truths without conducting primary research, the Bradley-Martin ball is perhaps best-remembered as the end of the excesses of the Gilded Age.
Son: Bradley Martin, Jr.
Daughter: Cornelia, Countess of Craven
Daughter of Isaac Sherman. She married Bradley Martin. Her married name became Bradley-Martin. On 10 February 1897 She threw an elaborate costume party at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, which drew much criticism in the press.
The Bradley-Martin Ball was a lavish costume ball at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City on the night of February 10, 1897. Mrs. Cornelia Bradley-Martin organized the ball, with the intention of making it "the greatest party in the history of the city". Eight hundred socialites spent about $400,000 imitating kings and queens. Mrs. Bradley-Martin's stated intention was to create an economic stimulus for New York City, which was at the end of the Long Depression which began in 1873 and included the Panic of 1893. Across the country, preachers and editorial writers argued over the propriety of a party that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the end, the ball was a social triumph but created negative publicity
Before The Ball
In the three weeks leading up to it, New York society made the ball its one topic of discussion. The Commercial Advertiser exclaimed: "There is a great stir today in fashionable circles and even in public circles. The cause of it all is the Bradley Martin ball, beside which the arbitration treaty, the Cuban question, and the Lexow investigation seem to have become secondary matters of public interest."The Bradley-Martins drew fire from all directions, as newspapers criticized its extravagance and during their sermons, clergymen urged their congregations not to attend. One clergyman denounced the ball by saying "you rich people put next to nothing in the collection plate, and yet you'll spend thousands of dollars on Mrs. Bradley-Martin's ball". The New York World said, in the group of guests were eighty-six persons whose total wealth was "more than most men can grasp." There were a dozen men who had $10,000,000 or more, and twice as many with $5,000,000. Of the forty men present, said the World, not half a dozen were not millionaires. The guests included: John Jacob Astor as Henry IV of France and his wife as Marie Antoinette , Mr. James L. Breese as the Duc de Guise, Mrs. Charles Childs as Lady Teazle, Mr. Hermann Oelrichs as a Dutch Bergomaster, Mrs. Charles Post as Mme. de Maintenon, Stanford White in a Court costume of black velvet and white satin, the artist Adolfo Müller-Ury as a Spanish toreador, Miss Pierpont Morgan as Queen Louise of Prussia, and Mrs. Hamilton Fish Webster as Maria Theresa.
Concept
Mrs. Bradley-Martin's idea was to give a costume ball at so short notice that her guests would not have time to get their dresses from Paris, and instead support local businesses. This overlapped with the idea that it was much better for the laboring people if the wealthy spent their money locally instead of taking it to Europe.
The Reverend Dr. Rainsford believed in the rich giving money to be distributed as charity, whereas others, including the members of the Musical Mutual Protective Union (MMPU), disagreed. They believed in the wealthy spending their wealth in enjoying themselves, and thus giving hundreds and thousands of working people an opportunity to earn money and maintain their self-respect instead of having to accept charity. The MMPU became indignant when they heard that the Marine Band was to be at the ball instead of musicians from their union. The members of the Marine Band did not urgently need the money that they were going to receive from the ball.
Preparations
Florist Small was in charge of the decorations for the Bradley-Martin ball. Decorating the Waldorf began on the morning of February 9 by A.W. Merritt, Small's colleague. In the days leading up to the event, dealers' stocks and household stores were ransacked to supply the demand for ornaments and historical accuracy. All the jewelers who dealt in antiques were cleaned out of all they had on hand. Jewels held as heirlooms by the old families of New York were taken from safety vaults. Laces that had been locked away in family chests or in safe deposit vaults for long years had been retrieved.
Twelve hundred invitations were issued for the event, and more than half of those invited were in attendance. Some who did come also left early, seeming to have made an appearance out of curiosity.
The Waldorf
"The interior of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel was transformed into a replica of Versailles, and rare tapestries, beautiful flowers and countless lights made an effective background for the wonderful gowns and their wearers."
Police officers stood guard at the entrance to the Waldorf. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley-Martin arrived first at 10:15 pm. At half past 10 a group of carriages arrived and before 11 the stream of guests had become continuous. The guests were ushered in to the Waldorf, whereupon they ascended to the corridors on the second floor where 15 dressing rooms were available for the use and comfort of the guests.Some guests, preferring not to expose themselves on the street while wearing tempting fortunes in jewels and laces, changed into their costumes at this point. This wasn't done through any feeling of fear, but merely as a wise precaution. Wigmakers and make-up artists were available in these rooms. When leaving the dressing rooms the guests headed to the smaller ballroom. It was here where Mrs. Bradley-Martin received her guests. A lackey announced the guests' names and the characters they impersonated to her. This stream of guests poured by her for nearly 90 minutes and it was after midnight before she was able to enter the main ballroom to take her place in the opening quadrille d'honneur.
The Costumes
Mrs. Bradley-Martin requested her guests to pick something from the 16th, 17th, or 18th centuries, and some came dressed as George Washington, a Japanese nobleman, an Egyptian princess and Pocahontas. A list was compiled and published in the New York Times three days prior to the event, listing guests and the historical characters they were going to impersonate and what costumes they were going to wear.Mrs. Bradley-Martin "personated Mary Stuart, and her gold embroidered gown was trimmed with pearls and precious stones worth more than $60,000.Bradley (Martin), as Louis XV, wore a Court suit of brocade"."In many cases the diamond buttons worn by the men represented thousands of dollars, and the value of the historic gems worn by the ladies baffles description."Otto Cushing, a young artist from Boston, created quite a stir when he appeared as an Italian falconer's costume which consisted of full body tights, a short jacket and a cap with a stuffed falcon on one arm. "The costume left little to the imagination as far as the figure was concerned, and, although historically correct in every detail, was so decidedly pronounced that he made a sensation wherever he moved." Mrs. Caroline Astor, as usual, was ablaze with diamonds and wore her famous diamond stomacher, 200 stone diamond necklace and diamond star tiara. The jewelry the guests wore was estimated to be worth $20 million total.
The Decorations
The smaller ballroom was set throughout with furniture of the Louis XV period, and the walls were hung with tapestry draperies. Roses were hurled en masse against the draperies and let remain where they landed. The side of the room, where the Hungarian band was placed, was concealed by long-stemmed roses and garlands were dropped from the center to each side and over the mirrors.The Hungarian Band, under the leadership of Carl Berlinger, played 12 concert selections, chosen by Mrs. Bradley-Martin, throughout the evening.
Upon entering the grand ballroom the guests faced a wall in which 15 mirrors were imbedded. The far side of the room, the musicians' balcony, was concealed by pink roses, with garlands also hanging from above. There were over 5,000 roses and 3,000 orchids in these various groupings.
The café and the court were also decorated, with a desired homelike effect.125 tables were set up, each to accommodate six guests, with a centerpiece of Beauty roses.
The Music
The danse d'honneur, arranged by Mrs. Caroline Astor, opened the ball. The company was led by Mrs. Bradley-Martin, in the role of the Queen, escorted by Mr. John Jacob Astor as the King. For this danse d'honneur, the orchestra played music composed by Beethoven. Following this, the orchestra started playing one of Chopin's polonaises announcing the approach of Mrs. Edmund L. Baylies and her associates for the minuet. When they formed for the minuet the orchestra struck into Mozart's dance music out of "Don Giovanni". The dance of the debutantes was next, and it was livelier than the others and the most difficult of all. The members of this set, organized by Mrs. Frederic Bronson, danced a Hungarian Court quadrille, the Kormagyar, in music arranged by Allen Dodworth.This quadrille ended the exhibition dances. General dancing followed the three quadrilles until supper time.
The Dinner
"Between the grand ballroom and the cafe, used on this occasion for the supper room, is a barricade of windows, which were thrown open about 1 o'clock in the morning, and the guests were then at liberty to enjoy the delights of the cuisine. The menu was as follows:
CHAUD
Consommé de Volaille
Bouillon de Clovis
Homard à la Newburg
Huitres à la Viennoise
Poularde farcie aux truffes
Filet de Boeuf Jardinière
Terrapene désossée à la Baltimore
Canard canvasback
FROID
Galantine à la Victoria
Terrine de Foie Gras
Cailles piquées à la Gelce
Chaud-froid de Pluviers
Jambon en Danier
Mayonnaise de Volaille
ENTREMETS DE DOUCEUR
Gelée aux Fruits
Gauffres Chantilly
Gâteaux Madeleine
Biscuits glacés, Fatma
Sorbet fin de Siècle
Tutti-Frutti
Café Parfait
Plombière aux Marrons
Glaces de Fantaisie
Petits Fours. Fruits, Bonbons
Café"
The Favors
The cotillion commenced at three, and spectators found amusement as the gentlemen danced it with swords at their sides. Swords got tangled in gowns and laces, and courtiers tripped over them, to the delight of the spectators. Elisha Dyer, Jr. led the cotillion.
Mrs. Bradley-Martin selected small silver figures and a staff as "favors" for each of the guests of the ball. The "favors" were awarded by Elisha Dyer, Jr. as leader of the cotillion.
Reception and Controversy
After the ball many ministers preached against its excessive consumption and the authorities promptly raised Bradley-Martin's taxes (as well as those of their friends and fellow-attendees the Astors) quite out of proportion to those paid by anyone else. The Bradley-Martins returned to England, where they had owned a home for several years, and Scotland, where they leased a 65,000-acre (260 km2) estate, Balmacaan.
Although historians have repeated oft-told half-truths without conducting primary research, the Bradley-Martin ball is perhaps best-remembered as the end of the excesses of the Gilded Age.
Daughter: Cornelia, Countess of Craven
Daughter of Isaac Sherman. She married Bradley Martin. Her married name became Bradley-Martin. On 10 February 1897 She threw an elaborate costume party at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, which drew much criticism in the press.
The Bradley-Martin Ball was a lavish costume ball at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City on the night of February 10, 1897. Mrs. Cornelia Bradley-Martin organized the ball, with the intention of making it "the greatest party in the history of the city". Eight hundred socialites spent about $400,000 imitating kings and queens. Mrs. Bradley-Martin's stated intention was to create an economic stimulus for New York City, which was at the end of the Long Depression which began in 1873 and included the Panic of 1893. Across the country, preachers and editorial writers argued over the propriety of a party that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the end, the ball was a social triumph but created negative publicity
Before The Ball
In the three weeks leading up to it, New York society made the ball its one topic of discussion. The Commercial Advertiser exclaimed: "There is a great stir today in fashionable circles and even in public circles. The cause of it all is the Bradley Martin ball, beside which the arbitration treaty, the Cuban question, and the Lexow investigation seem to have become secondary matters of public interest."The Bradley-Martins drew fire from all directions, as newspapers criticized its extravagance and during their sermons, clergymen urged their congregations not to attend. One clergyman denounced the ball by saying "you rich people put next to nothing in the collection plate, and yet you'll spend thousands of dollars on Mrs. Bradley-Martin's ball". The New York World said, in the group of guests were eighty-six persons whose total wealth was "more than most men can grasp." There were a dozen men who had $10,000,000 or more, and twice as many with $5,000,000. Of the forty men present, said the World, not half a dozen were not millionaires. The guests included: John Jacob Astor as Henry IV of France and his wife as Marie Antoinette , Mr. James L. Breese as the Duc de Guise, Mrs. Charles Childs as Lady Teazle, Mr. Hermann Oelrichs as a Dutch Bergomaster, Mrs. Charles Post as Mme. de Maintenon, Stanford White in a Court costume of black velvet and white satin, the artist Adolfo Müller-Ury as a Spanish toreador, Miss Pierpont Morgan as Queen Louise of Prussia, and Mrs. Hamilton Fish Webster as Maria Theresa.
Concept
Mrs. Bradley-Martin's idea was to give a costume ball at so short notice that her guests would not have time to get their dresses from Paris, and instead support local businesses. This overlapped with the idea that it was much better for the laboring people if the wealthy spent their money locally instead of taking it to Europe.
The Reverend Dr. Rainsford believed in the rich giving money to be distributed as charity, whereas others, including the members of the Musical Mutual Protective Union (MMPU), disagreed. They believed in the wealthy spending their wealth in enjoying themselves, and thus giving hundreds and thousands of working people an opportunity to earn money and maintain their self-respect instead of having to accept charity. The MMPU became indignant when they heard that the Marine Band was to be at the ball instead of musicians from their union. The members of the Marine Band did not urgently need the money that they were going to receive from the ball.
Preparations
Florist Small was in charge of the decorations for the Bradley-Martin ball. Decorating the Waldorf began on the morning of February 9 by A.W. Merritt, Small's colleague. In the days leading up to the event, dealers' stocks and household stores were ransacked to supply the demand for ornaments and historical accuracy. All the jewelers who dealt in antiques were cleaned out of all they had on hand. Jewels held as heirlooms by the old families of New York were taken from safety vaults. Laces that had been locked away in family chests or in safe deposit vaults for long years had been retrieved.
Twelve hundred invitations were issued for the event, and more than half of those invited were in attendance. Some who did come also left early, seeming to have made an appearance out of curiosity.
The Waldorf
"The interior of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel was transformed into a replica of Versailles, and rare tapestries, beautiful flowers and countless lights made an effective background for the wonderful gowns and their wearers."
Police officers stood guard at the entrance to the Waldorf. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley-Martin arrived first at 10:15 pm. At half past 10 a group of carriages arrived and before 11 the stream of guests had become continuous. The guests were ushered in to the Waldorf, whereupon they ascended to the corridors on the second floor where 15 dressing rooms were available for the use and comfort of the guests.Some guests, preferring not to expose themselves on the street while wearing tempting fortunes in jewels and laces, changed into their costumes at this point. This wasn't done through any feeling of fear, but merely as a wise precaution. Wigmakers and make-up artists were available in these rooms. When leaving the dressing rooms the guests headed to the smaller ballroom. It was here where Mrs. Bradley-Martin received her guests. A lackey announced the guests' names and the characters they impersonated to her. This stream of guests poured by her for nearly 90 minutes and it was after midnight before she was able to enter the main ballroom to take her place in the opening quadrille d'honneur.
The Costumes
Mrs. Bradley-Martin requested her guests to pick something from the 16th, 17th, or 18th centuries, and some came dressed as George Washington, a Japanese nobleman, an Egyptian princess and Pocahontas. A list was compiled and published in the New York Times three days prior to the event, listing guests and the historical characters they were going to impersonate and what costumes they were going to wear.Mrs. Bradley-Martin "personated Mary Stuart, and her gold embroidered gown was trimmed with pearls and precious stones worth more than $60,000.Bradley (Martin), as Louis XV, wore a Court suit of brocade"."In many cases the diamond buttons worn by the men represented thousands of dollars, and the value of the historic gems worn by the ladies baffles description."Otto Cushing, a young artist from Boston, created quite a stir when he appeared as an Italian falconer's costume which consisted of full body tights, a short jacket and a cap with a stuffed falcon on one arm. "The costume left little to the imagination as far as the figure was concerned, and, although historically correct in every detail, was so decidedly pronounced that he made a sensation wherever he moved." Mrs. Caroline Astor, as usual, was ablaze with diamonds and wore her famous diamond stomacher, 200 stone diamond necklace and diamond star tiara. The jewelry the guests wore was estimated to be worth $20 million total.
The Decorations
The smaller ballroom was set throughout with furniture of the Louis XV period, and the walls were hung with tapestry draperies. Roses were hurled en masse against the draperies and let remain where they landed. The side of the room, where the Hungarian band was placed, was concealed by long-stemmed roses and garlands were dropped from the center to each side and over the mirrors.The Hungarian Band, under the leadership of Carl Berlinger, played 12 concert selections, chosen by Mrs. Bradley-Martin, throughout the evening.
Upon entering the grand ballroom the guests faced a wall in which 15 mirrors were imbedded. The far side of the room, the musicians' balcony, was concealed by pink roses, with garlands also hanging from above. There were over 5,000 roses and 3,000 orchids in these various groupings.
The café and the court were also decorated, with a desired homelike effect.125 tables were set up, each to accommodate six guests, with a centerpiece of Beauty roses.
The Music
The danse d'honneur, arranged by Mrs. Caroline Astor, opened the ball. The company was led by Mrs. Bradley-Martin, in the role of the Queen, escorted by Mr. John Jacob Astor as the King. For this danse d'honneur, the orchestra played music composed by Beethoven. Following this, the orchestra started playing one of Chopin's polonaises announcing the approach of Mrs. Edmund L. Baylies and her associates for the minuet. When they formed for the minuet the orchestra struck into Mozart's dance music out of "Don Giovanni". The dance of the debutantes was next, and it was livelier than the others and the most difficult of all. The members of this set, organized by Mrs. Frederic Bronson, danced a Hungarian Court quadrille, the Kormagyar, in music arranged by Allen Dodworth.This quadrille ended the exhibition dances. General dancing followed the three quadrilles until supper time.
The Dinner
"Between the grand ballroom and the cafe, used on this occasion for the supper room, is a barricade of windows, which were thrown open about 1 o'clock in the morning, and the guests were then at liberty to enjoy the delights of the cuisine. The menu was as follows:
CHAUD
Consommé de Volaille
Bouillon de Clovis
Homard à la Newburg
Huitres à la Viennoise
Poularde farcie aux truffes
Filet de Boeuf Jardinière
Terrapene désossée à la Baltimore
Canard canvasback
FROID
Galantine à la Victoria
Terrine de Foie Gras
Cailles piquées à la Gelce
Chaud-froid de Pluviers
Jambon en Danier
Mayonnaise de Volaille
ENTREMETS DE DOUCEUR
Gelée aux Fruits
Gauffres Chantilly
Gâteaux Madeleine
Biscuits glacés, Fatma
Sorbet fin de Siècle
Tutti-Frutti
Café Parfait
Plombière aux Marrons
Glaces de Fantaisie
Petits Fours. Fruits, Bonbons
Café"
The Favors
The cotillion commenced at three, and spectators found amusement as the gentlemen danced it with swords at their sides. Swords got tangled in gowns and laces, and courtiers tripped over them, to the delight of the spectators. Elisha Dyer, Jr. led the cotillion.
Mrs. Bradley-Martin selected small silver figures and a staff as "favors" for each of the guests of the ball. The "favors" were awarded by Elisha Dyer, Jr. as leader of the cotillion.
Reception and Controversy
After the ball many ministers preached against its excessive consumption and the authorities promptly raised Bradley-Martin's taxes (as well as those of their friends and fellow-attendees the Astors) quite out of proportion to those paid by anyone else. The Bradley-Martins returned to England, where they had owned a home for several years, and Scotland, where they leased a 65,000-acre (260 km2) estate, Balmacaan.
Although historians have repeated oft-told half-truths without conducting primary research, the Bradley-Martin ball is perhaps best-remembered as the end of the excesses of the Gilded Age.
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