Historical information

Freemason Lodges in Victoria were numbered in the order they were founded. The Balaclava Lodge was 162 and is now defunct. Dance cards became popular in the Victoria era. They were often worn looped around the woman's wrist and had a pencil attached (note the small hole for this at the bottom corner of this card).

Physical description

Folded card printed in gold and blue, being dance card for the Annual Ball of Masonic Lodge 162, Balaclava Lodge, held in St Kilda Town hall on 3 September 1896. List of officers of the lodge printed on the back of card. Inside the card is a list of dances and, in handwriting, the names of dance partners.

Inscriptions & markings

Names of dance partners, written in pencil. On the back of the card are notes, apparently written much later when the card was donated to the SKHS: 'Gran', 'Mrs Tierney', (illegible).