In 1913, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “We all went to Mamie’s for New Year’s dinner, and we started the ball rolling in good shape. One of our first big jobs was the “Arabian Nights Ball” at the Armory. It was very good.” Moses was referring to the annual dance for charity held in Chicago each January. The beneficiaries of the 1913 event were the Passavant hospital and the Chicago Lying-In hospital. 5,000 people attended the “Arabian Nights Ball,” raising $16,000 on January 10 that year.
Sosman & Landis scenery helped transform the armory into a Turkish courtyard. Hundreds of electrical lights were hung from the vaulted ceiling to suggest an exotic eastern sky. The “Inter Ocean” reported, “A Reinhardt effect, with all the mysticism and magic of ‘Sumurun’ and with just a touch of Oriental color and beauty which made ‘Kismet’ such a joy to the eye, is what is promised the onlookers at the Arabian Nights ball” (5 Jan 1913, page 5). The article described the sumptuous décor, elaborating, “Your first feeling is that you have entered a mosque. All around the edge of the big hall boxes have been built. Shoulder high in front of them runs a wall of pink and black horizontal stripes, deep black and bright, clear Oriental pink. Each box is framed in a dome shaped pink and black top and behind it the wall colored deep orange. Seated in the boxes will be men and women in costumes that suggest only the romantic and beautiful. It will be well nigh impossible to believe that they are really citizens of America.” Turquoise steps led up to the pink and black boxes. The lining of each box was white with lemon yellow draperies ornately framing each alcove. The “Inter Ocean” reported that the floors were strewn with magnificent cushions and oriental rugs, suggesting the palace of an Eastern potentate (11 Jan 1913, page 4). Opposite of the entrance were red lacquer pillars, framing famous socialites made up as Egyptian princesses.
Of the decorations, the “Chicago Tribune” later noted “Its daring Moorish decorations, designed by Mrs. John Carpenter and carried out by her, with Hugh [G. M.] Gordon’s aid, were written up in London and Paris papers, and the famous Chelsea Art Club sent for pictures of the hall and the costumes when they planned an oriental fête. Mrs. John [Alden] Carpenter is to have charge of the ‘mis en scene’ of the artists’ ball, so original and wonderful things may well be expected” (23 Nov 1913, page 30). Carpenter (1876-1951) was a well-known American composer, educated at Harvard and studied under John Knowles Paine.
The next day, Chicago Tribune published “With the sounding of trumpets, the brilliancy of golden lights, the shimmer of satins and the dazzling splendor of priceless jewels, the Arabian Nights ball began in a blaze of glory at the First Regiment armory last evening. Society matrons and maids and the brave knights of today adorned in alluring and mysterious costumes of the Far East, danced till their feet were as heavy as their hearts were light” (Jan. 11, 1913page 4).
Rosina Gaill of the Chicago Opera Company reigned as queen of the event with Eleanora de Claneros serenading the crowds, singing selections from “Sampson and Delilah.” At the entrance to the courtyard, fifty musicians under the direction of Johnny hand played melodies for the guests.
The event began with a grand march, described as “a triumphal procession the beauty and wealth of which has never been seen in the festivities of the world. Following the trumpeters from ‘Aida’ came scores of torch bearers whose blazing torches threw a weird and flickering light over the gay throng.” (Inter Ocean, 11 Jan 1913, page 4).
Themed public events provided great opportunities for Sosman & Landis, affording the firm not only a stead income, but also public exposure.
To be continued…
