Collection search - The Governor General's Fancy Dress Ball, held at Rideau Hall, on February 23, 1876

Although the Earl of Dufferin's Grand Fancy Ball took place on February 23, 1876, photographs of costumed individuals and groups were taken after the event itself. While the majority were taken in February and March, some of the guests were also photographed in April.

William James Topley used over three hundred individual and group photographs to create this composite photograph of the ball between May and June 1876.

Two copies of that composite photograph were submitted to the Office of the minister of Agriculture, then responsible for the Copyright Office.

Title is derived from that recorded in the Sessional Papers (1877) vol. 8, p. 16-10.

Exhibition Title: Victorian Dress Exhibition. Curator: Maria Nera. Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Quebec; 1997.10.24 - 1998.10.30, Exhibition title: Through the Ground Glass: Reframing William James Topley. Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa, Ontario; 2024.06.21 - 2025.02.09.

The other copy submitted at the Copyright Office for registration purpose can be find in MIKAN 3261754.

A larger format of the same photograph can be found in a private fonds (see Mikan 4114038).

Earl of Dufferin's Grand Fancy Ball, 23 February 1876