If you have a “History Buff” on your gift list for the upcoming season, consider John J. Astor, Historical Hotel Astor, and Titanic related items to be great gifts for the holidays.

John J Astor, John Jacob Astor IV (July 13, 1864 – April 15, 1912) was an American businessman, real estate builder, investor, inventor, writer, lieutenant colonel in the Spanish-American War and a member of the prominent Astor family. In April 1912, Astor earned a prominent place in history when he embarked on the ocean liner RMS Titanic, which sank four days into its maiden voyage after colliding with an iceberg. Astor was among the 1,514 people on board who did not survive. He was the richest passenger—aside from J. Bruce Ismay—aboard the Titanic.

Hotel Astor was a hotel located in the Times Square area of Manhattan; in operation from 1904 through 1967. The former site of the hotel, the block bounded by Broadway, Astor Plaza, West 44th Street, and West 45th Street, is now occupied by the high-rise 54-story office tower One Astor Plaza.

As a popular meeting place and New York City landmark, the Astor had a place in popular culture for decades, from the extended double entendre song “She Had to Go and Lose It at the Astor”, to its appearance in the 1945 film The Clock, which provides a good view of the wartime-era lobby (although reconstructed in Hollywood). Among many other musicians, the swing era bandleader Tommy Dorsey appeared regularly on the rooftop bandstand, and it was there that Frank Sinatra made early New York appearances with Dorsey’s band from 1940 to 1942. In 1947, the exterior of the hotel was climbed by stuntman John Ciampa as part of a publicity stunt for the Sunblock Rodeo and Thrill Circus. On a 1947 post card, Hotel Astor claimed “1000 rooms, 1000 baths” and as “The Crossroads of the World.”

These collectibles covers many works, post cards, silver, China, menus and many others items all priced from a few dollars and up, something for every budget and area of collecting. These are cross over items covering American History, the golden age of fine hotels, finance and YES the Titanic.

These can be seen at;

http://stores.ebay.com/Candlewood-Yankee-Fine-Arts/_i.html?_nkw=astor&submit=Search&_sid=645563163

James Stow & Anthony Yau

Candlewood-Yankee Fine Arts