Krehbiel, in his review of the opening night (the article ran first in the Tribune and was later reprinted in Krehbiel's Chapters of Opera), says "Bouquets rained from the boxes, and baskets of flowers were piled over the footlights till it seemed as if there was to be no end . . . there was also handed up a magnificent velvet casket inclosing a wreath of gold bay leaves and berries, ingeniously contrived to be extended into a girdle to be worn in the classic style, and two gold brooch medallions, bearing the profiles of Tragedy and Comedy, with which the girdle was to be fastened. The donor was not mentioned, but an inscription told that the gift was in 'commemoration of the opening of the Metropolitan Opera House.'"

•  On the Met's debut season, see: Krehbiel, Henry Edward, Chapters of Opera, chap. IX; see also the Metropolitan Opera's own webpage dedicated to its earliest performances at http://www.metopera.org/history/week-961202.html. In original printed paper wrappers, with minor chipping to edges; two small spots of staining to front wrapper carrying through to first few leaves.