Chicago Daily Tribune, December 12, 1888, page 3
The bal masque given last evening by Mr. and Mrs. Roland C. Nickerson, No. 317 Erie street, was one of the most perfect and delightful affairs of the kind ever given in this city. Elaborate preparations had been made for it in household decoration, in arrangement of details, and in planning of costumes, many of which were captivatingly novel and elegant. The main entrance to the house was barred, the guests being admitted through the covered portal at the side. This was done to keep the hall on suite with the other rooms of the lower floor, all of which were thrown open to the gay masqueraders. The ball-room was not used at all, and only dressing-rooms were provided on the second floor, but the magnificence, extent, and arrangement of the rooms called into service gave ample space for even so large a company. On one side of the house, thrown open into a dazzling suite, were the sitting-room, drawing-room, library, and art gallery, from which all the furniture had been removed. All the lights in the house were shaded by colored globes; red, white, and blue in the sitting-room, rose-pink in the delicate blue parlor, and various other tints in the different apartments. The art gallery was beautifully illuminated by electric lights introduced for the occasion, as well as by many hanging lanterns of fancy Japanese design, together producing a singularly attractive effect. The splendid hall was gayly draped with the flags of all nations and hung with brilliant lanterns. At the farther end, on a platform raised beside the entrance to the art gallery, sat Prof. Johnny Hand conducting an orchestra of twelve pieces, including a drum. All the musicians were in uniform. The large smoking-room was stripped of most of its furnishing, and set apart as a quiet retreat for guests. It was designed to make the affair throughout a harlequin party, so the red, black, yellow, and green colors were largely chosen for adornment, especially in the supper room, where they decked the table with a double row of upright satin stripes. An immense quantity of flowers filled the centre of the wide board, over whose loveliness was suspended a great harlequin ball. To each guest was given a menu card inscribed in one corner with a group of masks.
In the conservatory that opens from the dining-hall numerous bright lanterns were hung, transforming it into a scene of fairy-like beauty. There was no formal reception of guests, although Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Nickerson, in evening dress, mingled with the arriving groups. About 250 guests were present. At half-past 11 Mr. and Mrs. Roland Nickerson unmasked in the art gallery, when the guests to marching music advanced in a procession, removing their masks as they stepped forward to meet the host and hostess. That was a merry time, followed by the opening of the supper-room, gay laughter, and a general interchange of badinage. Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson represented Harlequin and Harlequine, wearing all the usual gay colors in their elegant costumes. Those were selected in Paris and were greatly admired for their tasteful expression of the characters.
The Dining Room, with original conservatory, c. 1901