Catalogue description Lord Chamberlain's Department: Records of Levées, Drawing Rooms, Balls, Concerts and Garden Parties

The records in this Lord Chamberlain's Department series comprise mainly notices of events, and lists of those to be, or suitable to be, invited or presented. They are entered in volumes. Some documents contain printed material, such as invitations and programmes. A note is sometimes included of the numbers invited to an event, with the numbers attending and absent. The reasons for non-attendance may be given; the names of absentees may be scored out of the list. The notices state dates and times, as well as any relevant regulations or protocol to be observed, and where the event was advertised.

The presentations and presentation lists note who were presented at levees and drawing rooms, and by whom. They sometimes give the reason for a presentation e.g. the gaining of a promotion/commission, or, for a lady, the occasion of her marriage. The lists also include proposals for attendances and presentations, and notification of delegates wishing to submit petitions or addresses, or to be granted an audience.

The concert and ball lists also include breakfasts and children's parties. There may be a note of the type of dress to be worn, and of whether music is provided.

The garden party invitation lists give the invitee's address, as well as the type of ticket to be issued.