Ward McAllister, self-appointed social arbiter of New York society and founder of the Patriarchs’ Balls. An invitation to one such event signalled acceptance into America’s elite.

Alva Vanderbilt dressed as a Venetian princess for her opulent costume ball in March 1883. The ball cemented her status as a leader of New York society.

The famous Delmonico’s restaurant. Setting for many of Ward McAllister’s entertainments and favourite haunt of the Four Hundred.

660 Fifth Avenue, home of Alva and Willie K Vanderbilt. Designed by the architect Richard Morris Hunt and occupying a huge block of land on Fifth Avenue, known as “Vanderbilt Alley,” the French Neo-Gothic palace stood next to mansions belonging to Willie K’s father, William Henry, and brother, Cornelius.

Consuelo Vanderbilt and Winston Churchill at Blenheim Palace in 1902. The pair would enjoy a lifelong friendship.

Sunny, the Duke of Marlborough (fourth from left) and Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough (second from left) on board the P&O liner Arabia en route to the Delhi Durbar in 1902.

The interior of Marble House, Alva Vanderbilt’s “cottage” on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island. Italian and French artisans worked with five hundred thousand cubic feet of marble to build the palatial residence. By completion it had cost Alva around eleven million dollars.

Young people on a picnic in Newport, Rhode Island in 1893. Consuelo Vanderbilt is sitting in the back row, fourth from the left.

Consuelo Vanderbilt getting into her horse-drawn carriage on her way to St Thomas Church to marry Sunny, the Duke of Marlborough.

Marietta Stevens’ dining room in her mansion on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue in 1893.

Consuelo, Duchess of Manchester on the cover of The Bystander, 1906, painted by the artist Sir William Blake Richmond.

Minnie Paget dressed as Cleopatra for the famous Duchess of Devonshire’s ball of 1897. After her death the celebrated and elaborate costume would raise only nine pounds at auction.

Washington heiress, Mary Curzon pictured in 1903. Mary became Vicerine of India in 1898 when George Curzon was named as Lord Elgin’s replacement.

Two women on the shore at Bailey’s Beach, one of the fashionable places for heiresses to be seen during the Season in Newport, Rhode Island.

The gatehouse at Kimbolton Castle, Cambridgeshire, the country estate of Consuelo, Duchess of Manchester.

Newport Casino in 1895 was a gathering place for New York’s elite, after vacating Manhattan for the Rhode Island town during the hot summer months. The Casino was a hub of activity for the Four Hundred, playing host to tennis matches, bowls and dances, all in pursuit of keeping the wealthy entertained.

Crowds enjoying Cowes Week Regatta on the Isle of Wight, England in 1908. The Regatta was popular with Bertie, the Prince of Wales.

Spectators lining Fifth Avenue for the wedding of Pauline Whitney to Sir Almeric Paget in November 1895.

Fashionable riders in Rotten Row, Hyde Park, London from the Illustrated London News, 25 May 1889.