Inside the Rex den: The history and floats of N.O.'s most celebrated parade
Credit: Photo by Chad Bower / Eyewitness News
The krewe used to send elaborate designs and little gifts as invitations for members of the parade. Hales said this invitation, sent in 1891 as an invitation to the “Imperial Reception,” is the largest ever sent. The design came straight from France, like most of the decorative materials used before World War II.
The invitation, damaged during Katrina, was restored by experts in North Carolina for display, though it will always have blemishes from Katrina.
