The Chelsea Arts Ball and Bystander Coming of Age Celebrations 1924

A rare original 1924 souvenir programme from the Roaring Twenties

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Printing Details

Card covers with twisted cord binding to spine, tipped in colour illustration to front by Edmund Blampied. 24.5 × 17.5cm, 20pp.

A rare original souvenir programme of the 1924 Chelsea Arts Club ball held the celebrations of the Bystander Coming of Age celebrations (it had just turned 21) at the Royal Albert Hall. It was by all accounts a sumptuous affair on the theme of a Venetian Carnival, and was attended by Ivor Novello and Noel Coward. The programme is illustrated by Edmund Blampied, W Heath Robinson, Helen McKie, H M Bateman, Fred Pegram etc, and with menu, music, programme of dances (unmarked), and a page for collecting autographs (unused), and other humorous articles.

There were 4000 copies printed (this is number 616), and a tipped in paper at the front states there will be a prize draw and the corresponding programme number will win a trip to Monsieur Peron, the famous couturier of Regents Street, to choose an outfit worth 100 guineas. There would be a second draw after midnight for a further 100 numbers who would win a trip to Babers of Oxford Street, where they could choose a pair of "dainty evening shoes" worth 2 guineas.

Music was provided by The Clabon-West Orchestra and London Scottish Pipers and Drummers.

This is from the Royal Albert Hall's own archive: "Decorations were designed by Mr Philip Connard ARA and Mr Henry Poole ARA. The Hall was decorated as a Venetian carnival and included a full-size gondola and massive carnival figures. The greatest attraction was a gigantic 30 foot high birthday cake in the centre of the ballroom, with 21 painted candles. At midnight figures on top came to life and distributed from inside the cake 2,000 half-guinea boxes of chocolate donated by The Bystander to celebrate its 'Coming of Age'. The cake was designed and made by sculptor Henry Poole, and the candles painted by Australian artist Fred Leist. Fancy dress was essential for men, but Venetian cloaks were acceptable."

A wonderful item of Roaring Twenties ephemera.

Condition

This copy is in very good condition for age. It lacks the pencil that would have been used to mark cards and autographs, and there are a few spots of marking to the rear cover but otherwise, a very good survival.