Alva Vanderbilt
José Maria Mora, Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt (Alva Murray Smith) as a Venetian Princess at the Vanderbilt Ball, 1883. New-York Historical Society Library.
Mrs. John C. Mallory
José Maria Mora, Mrs. John C. Mallory (Jean Turnure) as an Egyptian princess at the Vanderbilt Ball, 1883. New-York Historical Society Library.
Mrs. Vanderbilt Electric Light
José Maria Mora, Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt as ‘Electric Light’ at the Vanderbilt Ball, 1883. New-York Historical Society Library.
Goose Costume
A woman dressed as a goose at the Vanderbilt Ball, 1883. New-York Historical Society Library.
Background
Industrialization led to a significant increase in the number of millionaires in the United States. The invention of new technologies provided opportunities for growth in industries like steel and railroads, resulting in big profits for some businesspeople. In New York, these wealthy families lived lavish lifestyles. The incomes of these families continued to grow, often at the expense of working-class Americans who labored for long hours for low wages.
The Vanderbilts were one of the nouveau riche families eager to climb up the ranks of New York society. Women controlled the hierarchy at the highest levels of society. Mrs. Caroline Schermerhorn Astor, who preferred to be called Mrs. Astor, decided who was an official member of New York’s high society. She was a member of two of the oldest families in New York. Mrs. Astor was concerned about “new money” families like the Vanderbilts, who she considered to be unsophisticated. Mrs. Astor created the List of 400, in which she determined the 400 New Yorkers who were members of high society.
About the Image
Alva Vanderbilt was married to Cornelius Vanderbilt’s grandson, William Kissam Vanderbilt. Cornelius “The Commodore” Vanderbilt made his fortune in railroads and shipping. His net worth was over $100 million when he died in 1877. On March 26, 1883, Alva hosted the Vanderbilt Costume Ball at the