Dance cards and fashion etiquette

Card in the shape of a lyre, with gold embellishments. On the middle pages, a dance program of eighteen dances, consisting of five waltzes, six polkas, five quadrilles, one schottische, and one mazurka.

Proclamation of the Republic's commemorative ball dance card
1901

Card on light background with serrated edges. Cover with five birds in relief, four yellow and one pink. Back cover with arms of the Republic of Brazil. Inside, "Dance commemorating the proclamation of the Republic on 15 November 1901. Brazilian Military School. Inside, blue decoration, inscription: "Directors of Salon: Arnulpho Sarmento and Octavio Sarmento". On the central pages, the program with twelve dances, being: 7 waltzes, 3 gangs and 2 schottischs; Female names in pencil: Marianna da Silva, Maria Garcia, Maria Carneiro, F. Marianna de Campos, Zulmira da Veiga and Cora Jatahy. Blue pencil "Johann Faber", attached to the brown cord.

Golden, oval makeup case. Inside, mirror and compartment with lid and sponge for rice powder.

It should be noted that the card ensured that no-one returned home from the ball without having danced at least once. Exceptions were "aias" (the personal maids of high-society ladies), older women, and widows.

These cards were often part of an accessory set that also included a diary, purse, and prayer book.

Fiscal Island Ball dance card
1889
Homage to Chile at Ilha Fiscal (Last Imperial Ball, RJ)

Cover in white, with the border corners in gold and a golden violin with ribbon and flowers. Written in ink, at the top of the cover: "Fiscal Island 11-9-89". Back cover: white, with the corners of the border in gold and written obliquely: "Tribute to Chile". On the central pages, on the center and above, the word: "Programma", underneath the name of the sixteen dances, being: 4 gangs, 5 waltzes, 3 polkas, 2 lancers, 1 mazurca and 1 gallop; Female names written by pencil: Adelaide W, Mlle Braga, Mlle Massot, Mlle Ferreira Santos (2) and Adelia Chaves.

Dance at the Nictheroy International Club
1906

Card on light background with trimmed edges. Cover bringing to the center a green four-leaf clover in relief surrounded by four smaller clovers, with the portrait of a man. Printed on black the location of the ball and the date. On the central pages, printed in blue: "Soirée Blanche's program dedicated to its Director, Colonel A. Romão de Castro"; Program with twenty dances, being: 11 waltzes, 4 polkas, 4 schottisch and 1 quadrilha (country dance); Female names written by pencil: Antonieta, Arminda, Leonor da Cunha, Leonor, Melle Lorena, Esther and Melle Barboza. Below, in the center, printed: "Stationery Store A. D. Silvo, 35 Ouvidor Street".

Dance Card
1905

CCard on light background. On the cover, at the top, greek-themed decoration with dark blue band and golden friezes, having four women in pink in dancing positions. In the center, in gold, the word "Dance". On the back cover: printed in gold: "E. BEVILACQUA 151 Ouvidor Street, office: 35 Chile Street, Rio de Janeiro". First page, printed "Homage to Mr. Dr. J.J. Seabra" and the date; Second, portrait of J. J. Seabra wrapped by floral motifs and the date of the ball; Third, printed in black: "DIRECTORS OF THE BALL C. LEITE, J. P. DE SOUZA DANTAS and A. F. GONÇALVES TORRES"; On the fourth and fifth, at the top, blue frieze with decoration of Greek women dancing. Program with eighteen dances, being: 10 waltzes, 3 gangs, 3 polkas and 2 schottisch; (Two times), Mariana, Mme Porto, Maria L ..., Olga de Sabóia Porto, Mme Santos, Senorita, Esther and two illegible names. Yellow pencil with inscription "Johann Faber" attached to the card with cream cord.

Riachuelo Battleship's ball dance card
1896

Cover: bouquets of flowers in pink, band with white flowers, with inscription: "Battleship Riachuelo Matinée" and the date. Serrated edges. On the central pages, the program has twenty dances, being: 5 waltzes, 4 polkas, 2 gangs, 4 schottischs, 2 mazurcas, 2 lancers and 1 gallop; Female names written by pencil: Stella, Dalila, Antonietta. Twelve unreadable names. "Casa Guimarães e Ferdinando" printed on the lower left corner. Brown pencil with inscription "Johann Faber", attached to the card with cream cord.