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, ...