A treasury of photos, drawings, and reminiscences recounting the history and culture of the annual New Orleans extravaganza. This pictorial study recounts the history of Carnival in New Orleans, bringing to life in text and more than 160 photographs and drawings—many of them old and rare—the color, the pulse, and the pageantry that have earned this annual extravaganza its distinction as "the greatest free show on earth." Tracing the evolution of Carnival from its modest beginnings, the book covers: Lavish balls during the American regime under Governor William C.C. Claiborne The first masked parade in 1837 The first torchlight parade by the Mystick Krewe of Comus in 1857 The coming of Rex and Momus in 1872 Participation of royalty, including Alexis, Grand Duke of Russia, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor The fiercely anti-Republican themes during the bitter years of Reconstruction Modern innovations and the establishment of new krewes Creation of the Rex doubloon in 1960, and more As a bonus, recipes are also included—so you can get a little taste of Mardi Gras any day of the year.