1920s William Penn Statue City Hall Philadelphia PA Postcard

About This Vintage Postcard

This striking monochrome postcard captures a dramatic low-angle view of the colossal William Penn statue atop the Philadelphia City Hall Tower. Completed in 1894 by sculptor Alexander Milne Calder, the 37-foot bronze figure stands 550 feet above street level, making it the largest statue atop any building in the world. The image highlights the "circle of electric lights" around the base of the statue, which the reverse text notes were visible for over 30 miles at night. Standing as a symbol of the "City of Brotherly Love," this landmark remained the highest point in the city for nearly a century, until a "gentleman's agreement" regarding building heights was famously broken in 1987.

Details

Era: White Border (1923)
City: Philadelphia
State or Region: Pennsylvania
Country: United States
Topic: William Penn Statue, City Hall Tower, Philadelphia Landmarks, Quaker History, Nicetown Station Postmark
Condition: Circulated
Postage: 1c Green George Washington stamp, postmarked Jan 10, 1923 (Nicetown Station)
Address Side: divided back
Orientation: Vertical (Portrait)
Artist / Photographer: Alexander Milne Calder (Sculptor)
Publisher: P. Sander, Philadelphia & Atlantic City (Series 3365)
Printer: Unknown
Print Type: Lithograph (White Border)