The Waldorf-Astoria
The Waldorf and Astoria Hotels were built by two feuding cousins, William Waldorf Astor and John Jacob Astor, IV, titans of late 19th Century New York Society. Eventually, the cousins reconciled, and the two hotels were joined together by a passageway that was named “Peacock Alley.” Together, they formed the largest hotel in the world.
Decades later, the bar in the new Waldorf-Astoria, on Park Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets, would bear the same name and house a piano frequently played there by Cole Porter. At the time of its construction in 1931, it was the world’s tallest hotel. ​
​​The fact that the old Waldorf-Astoria and the Empire State Building occupy the same blocks plays an important role in my novel, since it creates a plausible way for Georgina, the principal character, to move back in time while staying in the same physical space.
Click on the card image above to enlarge
Unlike the other cards, which were all published by the Keystone company, this is from the American Stereoscopic Company and has no explanatory text on the back.
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