Mardi Gras treasures

"The fantastic parade floats of Carnival's Golden Age (1870-1930) depicted themes drawn from mythology, epic literature, history, nature, and whimsy. The glimmering processions of the masked gods and bearded kings of New Orleans Carnival occupy a central position among the rites and glories of this great festival. The long succession of these glowing, torch-lit pageants--with their towering monsters and fantastic decors, their papier-m?ch? kingdoms and diamond-dust thrones--became the greatest and most beloved of New Orleans communal rituals" -- publisher website (April 2007).