Joseph Pulitzer and The World

The Statue of Liberty > Statue of Liberty

The World

Manuscript list of “Conspicuous Features in World since March 1, 1885”


[New York, August, 1887]

World Papers, Box 9

At the top of this list of features carried in the World is “The Bartholdi Statue Fund – Suggested by Mr. Pulitzer.” Other features included “Nelly Bly in Mad House” suggested by John A. Cockerill, and “The Pacific Ring Exposure,” “Electric Light Dangers,” and “Interview with President.” This last item, suggested by “Mr. P,” was conducted by Bayard Swope, winner of the first Pulitzer Prize for Reporting for his series “Inside the German Army” in 1917.

Gift of Joseph Pulitzer, Jr.

 

Joseph Pulitzer

Autograph drafts relating to dedication of Statue of Liberty

New York, [1886]

World Papers, Box 9

Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi’s statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, given with money donated by the French public, came with the stipulation that the United States raise the money for her pedestal on Bedloe’s Island in New York harbor. After years of solicitation, the American committee remained short $100,000 of the $250,000 needed. In May of 1885, as the statue was about to be shipped from France, he used his own editorial page to rally support, writing: “The World is the people’s paper, and it now appeals to the people to come forward and raise this money.” He pledged that every donor’s name would be published in the World, asking only that they “Give something, however little.” By the next morning, contributions began to pour in, and by August 11, the money was raised from over 120,000 contributors. It was also good for business.

Gift of Joseph Pulitzer, Jr.

 

Monument Bartholdi Comité de Paris

Autograph letter, signed by A. Rubin, with list of committee members, page 1


[Paris, 1887]

World Papers, Box 9

Gift of Joseph Pulitzer, Jr.

 

 

 

Monument Bartholdi Comité de Paris

Autograph letter, signed by A. Rubin, with list of committee members, page 2


[Paris, 1887]

World Papers, Box 9
 

Gift of Joseph Pulitzer, Jr.

Monument Bartholdi Comité de Paris

List of committee members


[Paris, 1887]

World Papers, Box 9
 

Gift of Joseph Pulitzer, Jr.

Paolo F. Campiglio

Autograph letter, signed, to Joseph Pulitzer


New York, October 15, 1886

World Papers, Box 8

Composer Paolo F. Campiglio, his name more often cited as del Campiglio, here writes to Joseph Pulitzer from Chickering Hall, asking formal permission to dedicate his newly written Grand March "The Bartholdi" to him. Whether permission was given is not known. There is no copy of the work in the Pulitzer or World Papers and the work does not appear to have been published.

Gift of Joseph Pulitzer, Jr.

From letters received regarding Statue of Liberty dedication

New York and Philadelphia, October 1886

World Papers, Box 8


Everyone wanted to attend the dedication of the Statue of Liberty on October 28, 1886. Pulitzer had a triumphal arch sixty feet tall built in front of the World Building and on the dedication day a parade passed under the arch, heading for the harbor. Pulitzer received many letters asking for tickets to the Bedloe’s Island ceremony.

Gift of Joseph Pulitzer, Jr.

 

Harper & Brothers

Harper’s Weekly Magazine

New York, November 6, 1886

Vol. XXX, No. 1559, pages 716-717

 
For the dedication of the Statue of Liberty on October 28, 1886, Pulitzer had a triumphal arch sixty feet tall built across Park Row in front of the World Building and a parade passed under the arch, heading for the harbor. The World’s employees and their families, in two steamers, and the Pulitzer family and friends in another ship, joined a flotilla that made its way to Bedloe’s Island for the ceremony. There President Cleveland and a huge retinue of dignitaries – few of whom had contributed to the pedestal – marked the moment with a long succession of speeches, alas none given by Pulitzer who was not even asked to join the President. The planned fireworks, depicted here, did not take place on the day of the dedication, there being a cold rain, but were postponed until the first clear evening.

 

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