Early 20th Century Military Ball Banner

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c. 1900s

Framed linen banner welcoming Army and Navy soldiers and officers.

Banners such as this were used to welcome … Read more c. 1900s

Framed linen banner welcoming Army and Navy soldiers and officers.

Banners such as this were used to welcome guests to military balls. On one such occasion, they were used to decorate a soiree for those who worked on the USS Illinois.
From the December 1901 issue of United States Army and Navy Journal and Gazette:

"Officers of the USS Illinois on Dec 12 attended as guests a special soiree at the French Opera House New Orleans La in honor of the Governor of the State His Excellency WW Heard and of the Mayor of city Hon Paul Capdeville It was one of the most memorable and brilliant of events that has ever been by the elite of fashionable life of New Orleans lacked to make it a success and with floods of light splendid music superb singing and the presence of an audience that filled the entire theatre and overflowed to very doors of parquette entrance and loges the opera Faust was presented and sung in a faultless manner The Marine band of the Illinois stationed in a conspicuous place on the second tier gave fresh impetus to national feeling by playing some of the favorite of the American people Beneath a trophy of and French colors ornamenting the portico two bannerets were flying en flame inscribed 'Our Army and Navy--Welcome to the Brave'. The same emblems were conspicuous in the lobby of the opera." See less