Sphere cover - floating gondola at the Savoy by Matania
A remarkable dinner party given at the Savoy Hotel, London by Mr G. A. Kessler who entertained twenty-four guests in a large white, gondola floating in the old courtyard of the hotel which had been specially flooded for the evening. The guests walked into the flower-decked gondola across a bridge and sat down on gold chairs at one, long table. While dinner was being served music came from another gondola floating on the water near by. Round the walls were hung Venetian scenes, including the Piazza of St. Mark and the Campanile, and white pigeons flew about or nestled among the flowers, so that the Venetian illusion was complete. The guests included the singer Caruso, Gabrielle Rejane and Edna May. The Sphere's special artist, Fortunino Matania was the only one present and recorded the event with this front cover picture. Staging the event cost £3000 according to press reports
