E. & H.T. Anthony & Co.
n.d.
Backmark for "E. & H. Anthony & Co., 591 Broadway, New York"

Carte de visite, back
Private collection of Scott Davis
From Photographic Negative by Brady
 
The Reception Dress.
 
This dress was designed by the celebrated modiste, Mme. DEMOREST, and made at her Emporium of Fashion, 473 Broadway. It was ordered by Mr. BARNUM, at the request of Miss LAVINIA WARREN (now Mrs. Stratton), who gave Mme. Demorest carte blanche as to style and cost.
 
The material is a superb quality of taffetas, changing from pale amber to a silvery white and producing a peculiarly rich and delicate tint. The skirt, cut en traine, and ornamented to represent the emblems of different nationalities on each separate breadth, connected at each seam by marabout feathers and lace, altogether forming an elegant border round the skirt. The design in front of the dress represents Growing Corn for America; on the right, a Rose, for England, encircled by buds and leaves; on the left, Laurel, for France; and on the remaining breadths are exhibited an Acorn in oak leaves, for Germany; a Shamrock, for Ireland; the Thistle, for Scotland; and a Vine with clusters of grapes for Italy. The designs are traced in very narrow folds of white satin, their effect being heightened where it is necessary to their full representation and raised appearance, with narrow point appliqué. The left side is looped up nearly to the waist in regal style, over a petticoat of white glace silk, covered with puffings of fine tulle, the divisions being traced with seed pearls.
 
The corsage is arranged with tiny folds of white satin, edged with POINT APPLIQUE, describing a little jacket, rounded off from the stomacher. The sleeves are short and trimmed to match the corsage.
 
This dress was arranged with reference to being worn by the tiny Bride on the occassion of her presentations at the Courts of Queen Victoria and the Empress Eugenie, etc., and is altogether acknowledged a great success, reflecting much credit for originality and exquistite taste on the designer.
 
LL/64246