Those numbers of people attending balls through the years translated into the production of hundreds of thousands of dance cards for just one city alone, Vienna. With most cities in the world holding dances and balls, the numbers of dance cards produced through the years must have been in the millions. Balls were sponsored by doctors, architects, mountain climbers, police agents, men's singing clubs, railroad switchmen, just to name a few. For many organizations, the annual Ball was the high point of the year. Ballspenden have been around for quite a long time, certainly since the mid 18th century.
Splendid examples made of precious metal and jewels survive in museums.
These examples were created for the most wealthy class of the Empire. Listed in the card could be from 10 and up to 20 or more dance titles. Attached somewhere to the case was a pencil with which to write a name. A decorative cord was attached to the case so that the entirety could be attached to the lady's ball gown. The sponsoring organization would have the committee meet with the Ballspenden manufacturer to decide on the design to be used for the dance card.