JJ Astor IV's Patek Philippe pocket watch recovered from the Titanic
In this episode of the Collectability podcast, Tania Edwards is joined by Reginald Brack, Senior Vice President and Head of Department for Freeman's Watches, and John Reardon, to discuss one of the most extraordinary pocket watches to come to market in recent memory: the gold Tiffany & Co.-signed...
245. Candy Canes, Third Man Syndrome, and John Jacob Astor IV
Kat covers the history of the most popular Christmas treat. Then Hayley covers the phenomenon of experiencing an unseen presence during a time of crisis or emergency. Last but not least, Alec covers the richest passenger aboard the RMS Titanic and his New York housewife DRAMA.
Listen to the ful...
The Mrs. Astor Effect
To fully understand the St. Regis New York, you must not only understand its founder, John Jacob Astor IV—you must understand his mother, too. Caroline Schermerhorn Astor’s influence over power, social standing, society and culture in turn-of-the-century Manhattan was more than outsized. To a cer...
A Grand Opening
When its doors opened on September 4, 1904, the St. Regis wasn’t merely the tallest hotel in New York. Superlatives filled the hotel’s 18 stories. Innovations in decor, climate control, and hygiene all prompted The New York Times to call “The Palatial St. Regis…The Most Richly Furnished Hotel in ...
Midnight Suppers and Dining All Day
While Astorian money and ideology gave rise to the St. Regis, it fell upon an immigrant restaurateur to ensure the endeavor ran in a manner that matched its ambitions. Leading the charge was Rudolph “R.M.” Haan, a descendant of Hungarian bankers who first wanted to pursue finance in America, but ...
The Aldi Aisle of Shame
Shop Talk directs us to the German owned grocer, Aldi, and their non-grocery aisle of “finds.” But first, Caught My Eye deals with luxury jeweler Cartier. The retailer’s Mexican website improperly listed $14K earrings for $14. A man bought 2 pairs and Cartier protested. The Mexican Government Dep...
The Astors and the Ghosts of Mackinac Island (Part Two)
In this second part of my exploration of the Astor fortune and its relationship with Mackinac Island and native communities, I look at the ways by which the fur trader impacted the island and its ecosystems, both human and non-human. I also break down the evolution of the island into a tourist de...
The Astors and the Ghosts of Mackinac Island (Part One)
The Astor family name conjures images of Gilded Age opulence and tragedy—perhaps most famously embodied by John Jacob Astor IV, who perished aboard the Titanic in 1912. But the roots of one of America's first great fortunes stretch back much further, to the late 18th century when German immigrant...
Episode 193: The Knickerbocker Hotel: Glamour, Scandal, and Ghosts
Opened in 1906 by John Jacob Astor IV, the Knickerbocker Hotel was once the height of New York luxury, hosting celebrities, tycoons, and artists in the heart of Times Square. But its history is also marked by jewel heists, strange scandals, and enduring ghost stories. In this episode, we uncover ...
Was the Titanic Sinking a Conspiracy to Ensure the Success of the Federal Reserve?
**Discussion begins at 4:08**
We are taking another look at the infamous sinking of the Titanic - This time discussing the conspiracy theory that the sinking was intentionally planned to ensure the success of the Federal Reserve. Was the sinking orchestrated to eliminate individuals who opposed ...
