Scandal of the Bradley Martin Ball

The grand costume ball given in New York City in 1897 was supposed to be an elegant affair that would stimulate the local economy. Instead it caused a major scandal and lead to the family’s exile from the city.

The county had been in an economic slump off and on since 1873. The Bradley Martin family was not one of New York City’s first families. The family money was pretty new, however their daughter had recently married an English Earl and they were prominent in British society. But the family, especially Mrs. Bradley Martin, wanted to conquer New York.

Mrs. Bradley Martin planned a lavish costume ball. But she purposely did not give too much advance notice. Traditionally, whenever there was a ball or costume affair, the guests would order their costumes from Paris. New York did not have any famous designers, such as Worth. But the guests no choice, there was no time to get anything to wear from abroad. So the idea was that this would force the guest to patronize local dressmakers. This would stimulate the local economy.

So the family had a ball in the Waldorf Astoria and invited hundreds of prominent guests. So what was the problem? There were newspaper articles for weeks denouncing the ball. The newspapers had a lot of ammunition because the family issued regular press releases noting the guests, food and decorations.

It was considered scandalous that such an expensive party was happening in a time of economic adversity.  It was considered insensitive and would anger the poor. Which it did, the ballroom windows had to be boarded up to prevent a bomb from being thrown into the party, as had been threatened by anarchists. Many people felt the family was flaunting their wealth in a vulgar fashion.

The party itself was actually considered a success. Mrs. Bradley Martin went as Mary, Queen of Scots, wearing jewels formerly belonging to Louis XIV.  Her elaborate costume had a 20 foot train. Mrs. Astor decorated her costume with $200,000 in jewels. Oliver Belmont wore a suit of armor inlaid with gold. Most of the guests wore expensive costumes accompanied by expensive jewelry. The party cost about $370,000 dollars, which is about 10 million dollars in today’s money

There was extensive fall out from the party. The party continued to be condemned in the press and the Bradley Martins were vilified. The family did bring some of the wrath on themselves, the regular press releases about the party stoked the flames. A few people spoke up for them, saying they should be able to spend their money however they want, but they were in the minority.

The final blow was that the New York City tax assessors doubled the family’s tax bill. The Bradley Martins gave up and moved permanently to London, where their party would have not been at all controversial.