Gilded Finale: The Bradley Martin Ball and the End of the Gilded Age

Never-before-published photos take you inside the nineteenth century’s most expensive private party.

For almost a century, the Bradley Martin Ball of 1897 held pride of place as the most expensive private party ever given in America (costing more than $14 million in today’s dollars, not including attendees’ costumes and jewelry). The guest list, representing the height of social and economic classes, was stellar and included members of the elite “400”—Astors, Drexels, Morgans, Rockefellers, ...