The Original Goldsmith Clock, World's Colombian Exposition, Chicago, 1893

The Original Goldsmith Clock, World's Colombian Exposition, Chicago, 1893

This is a photograph of the original Goldsmith Clock which was featured at the World's Colombian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. This clock was a gift from Queen Victoria as a way to show the friendship between England and the United States.

After the exposition ended, the architects of the fair were left with a huge financial burden. To alleviate this problem, they decided to sell all items that were on display in the fair. John Jacob Astor IV purchased this clock to place in the lobby of the original Waldorf hotel. By the 1931 re-opening of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue, the clock was installed and has been the focal point of the main lobby ever since.

You will notice in this photo that the Stature of Liberty figurine is missing; this component was added later on as a gift to John Jacob Astor IV from France to signify their friendship with the United States.

Erin Allsop

1893

Copyright is held by the Waldorf=Astoria unless otherwise noted.

Copyright is held by the Waldorf=Astoria unless otherwise noted.

Photographs | Buildings Collection

image | jpeg

5x7

black-and-white photographs

English

StillImage

06.02.030

Waldorf-Astoria Hotel -- 1931-present

Main Lobby

1893 - 1928

Copyright is held by the Waldorf=Astoria unless otherwise noted.

black-and-white photographs

5x7