THE MIDLAND RAILWAY ASSEMBLAGE TRAILS
"The Enthusiast's Trail"
Stop One: The Officers' Ball Badges
The trail begins at the north end of The Assemblage, starting in the Textiles area.
Stop 1
Where: D29 drawer 2
What: Officers’ Ball badges
Material: Velvet and other fabrics
Why: The Midland Railway held an Annual Officers’ Ball at Derby from at least 1884. They were extravagant affairs lasting until the early hours (“Carriages 5.30am” the invitations declared!). These souvenir badges were produced for the participants to adorn their formal attire and date from 1897, 1898 and 1899. You will have heard the expression “having a full dance card”? Well, the illustration below is of a real dance card from a Midland Railway Officers' Ball — complete with an attached pencil for the lady to mark the gentleman's name who has requested a particular dance during the evening.
Ref: RFB28390 to 28392