Grand Central Clock
by Ed Weidman
Title
Grand Central Clock
Artist
Ed Weidman
Medium
Photograph - Photographs
Description
The round brass clock rising above the central information booth in the Main Concourse must be one of the most iconic in the world. At least four generations of New Yorkers have known where to go when instructed to meet under the clock. The timepiece, manufactured by the venerable Self Winding Clock Company, is also extremely valuable. Its four convex faces are actually made from high-grade opal, says Brucker. Sothebys and Christies put a $10 million to $20 million value on it.
Not only has the clock been telling time and providing one of the most eminent meeting places in New York since 1913 when it was unveiled at the terminals opening, but it has also been giving direction thanks to a little noticed feature: The little bulbous point at the top isnt decorative; its a compass thats aligned to true north so the four sides of the clock line up perfectly with the four compass points of the building.
The Main Concourse is the center of Grand Central. The space is cavernous 275 ft (84 m) long, 120 ft (37 m) wide and 125 ft (38 m) high and usually filled with bustling crowds. The ticket booths are located in the Concourse, although many now stand unused or repurposed since the introduction of ticket vending machines. The large American flag was hung in Grand Central Terminal a few days after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The main information booth is in the center of the concourse. This is a perennial meeting place, and the four-faced clock on top of the information booth is perhaps the most recognizable icon of Grand Central. The clock, designed by Henry Edward Bedford and cast in Waterbury Connecticut, is made from brass Each of the four clock faces is made from opalescent glass (now often called opal glass or milk glass); the story that the faces are made of opal and that both Sotheby's and Christie's have estimated the value to be between $10 million and $20 million should be considered an urban legend. A 1954 New York Times article on the restoration of the clock notes that "Each of the glass faces was twenty-four inches in diameter...". Within the marble and brass pagoda lies a "secret" door that conceals a spiral staircase leading to the lower level information booth.
Uploaded
February 25th, 2014
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Comments (19)
Ed Weidman
thank you nader and geordie for the features in fine arts professionals,and new york,new york!
Kellice Swaggerty
This is wonderful, Ed! The color, lighting, and glow provide a mood of Grand Central which is in contrast to the usual hustle and bustle. I also enjoyed learning much from your informative description, something I am very accustomed to by now! L/F
Ed Weidman replied:
thank you my friend for that, it is,such a great clock to photograph!and yes what would we do without Wikipedia for our descriptions:)