Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-02
THE BALL VENIR.
THE BALL INVITATIONS.
An Elegant Souvenir of the Inaugural
tiOn-SOld With the Tickets.


The artistic excellence of the souvenirs
tributed with the ball tickets is undisputed.
The committee on tickets and invitation, of
which Mr.. George Gibson is chairman, selected
a design after careful consideration. They had
submitted to them designs from the leading
men in that line throughout the country and
they endeavored in coming to decision to Sc
cure something that would not only be unique,
but would represent the best product of che
highest skill in this country. The design
which they finally selected has been much ad-
mired, not only for its artistic merit, but for
the mechanical execution. 1t is believed that
in both these particulars the souvenir is
superior to any thing ever issued on an occasion
of this character.
Above is given representation of
the principal illustration. The details
are not only reproduced in this cut, but the
size. 1t is beautiful etching, representing
in the foreground the Goddess Of Liberty pro-
tecting American industries and in the act Of
browning a seated workingman. Towering
above the figures, standing on a mass Of rock,
is an eagle, with an American flag floating from
his beak and disappearing in the clouds. On
the ground, near the figures, are the horn of
plenty, sheaves of wheat, bars of metal, bags of
grain, and bales of cotton. The view in the
background is of the river and the city, with
the capitol, Washington monument, and White
House clearly defined. The view is the famil-
lar and beautiful one from Arlington Heights
At the foot Of the page displaying this etch-
ing are printed the names Of the executive
committee in charge of the inaugural prepara-
tions. The second and third pages contain full
page etched portraits Of Benjamin Harrison
and Levi P. Morton. These three sheets of
copper-plate etchings are enclosed between COW
ers of rough card board, with rough edges,
which are fastened together with bows of RIB
bons. In the center of the front cover. in en-
bossed gilt letters, is the inscription 'Inaug-
ural ball, March 4, 1889" On the back there is
a smooth square, in the center of which is an
embossed gold eagle with the 'E Pluribus
American flag in colors. The whole is enclosed
in an envelope, ~ by 81 inches, which is Of
rough heavy paper. The envelope flap is held
by a scolloped red seal % inches in diameter,
having gilt eagle with the conventional shield
in the center.
Accompanying the souvenir is the ticket adj
hitting to the ball. 1t is an engraved card
with V in the corner. Chairman Britton's
name is engraved on it, and blank is left for
A ball program is also placed in the large en-
velope. The program has trough, beveled gilt
edge, and on its face in embossed letters, in
various colors, are the words, program In
augural Ball, New Pension Building, March
4th, 1885," On the back is a steel plate en-
craving of the crowded ballroom, with floral
decorations in the foreground. The inside is
composed OF sixteen pages, containing in brown
ink the program of dances and the names of
the members of the committees which are con-
nected with the inaugural ball. A small lead
pencil covered with silk and attached to the
program by silken cords completes this very
Handsome work of art