Gilded Age Mourning

“To go to the opera, or a dinner, or a party, before six months have elapsed, is considered heartless and disrespectful. If one chooses, as some do, to wear no mourning, then he can go, unchallenged, to any place of amusement, but if he put on mourning he must respect its etiquette.” — Above is an antique mourning brooch.

– Photo source Etiquipedia private library

The death of Mrs. August Belmont, Sr. had been so long anticipated, that it did not cause any shock, but brought with it no less a feeling of sadness to the members of New-York society. Mrs. Belmont ruled the New-York society at a time when it was much smaller than at present, with a gentle hand, and all who knew her regret her death. The families of Cornelius Vanderbilt, Astor, and Belmont are now withdrawn from the gates of the season, all being in mourning, and this will of itself somewhat affect the season. — The New York Times, 1892

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia