Series V comprises the bulk of the Costume Ball Collection; included are more than 150 portraits of attendees in costume for the fancy dress ball given by William K. and Alva Smith Vanderbilt in their newly built home at 600 Fifth Avenue on March 26, 1883. At the time, the ball was considered to be one of the most "lavish" in New York City's history. It featured guests dressed as courtiers, witches, royalty, goddesses, and opera and nursery rhyme characters.
