MYTHICAL HOLIDAYS (4/5) –On March 27, 1883, the “New York Times” reported on the spectacular social event that had occurred the day before and that everyone was talking about: the ball given by the wealthy William K. Vanderbilt and his wife, Alva, in their gigantic residence in the Ve Avenue.
« People will talk for a long time in New York about the party given by Mr. Vanderbilt »wrote on March 28, 1883 the journalist of the French daily The Gallic. The fancy dress ball organized by the millionaire couple was held two days before, and all the details have already crossed the Atlantic. « It has been calculated that the fortunes of those present at this ball amount to a nice total of 8 billion of dollars (or 250 billion today, Editor’s note), continues the reporter. It is claimed that some assistants were not invited and had taken the place of the people who had received the invitation letters, by buying them from them. (…) The total cost of the party was 50 000 dollars (over 300,000 current dollars)dont 20 000 for dinner. The ladies’ toilets, excluding diamonds, represented a sum of 60 000 dollars (currently 1.8 million). » Alva Vanderbilt gets his revenge. With a fireworks display of flowers…
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