Friday, December 23, 2011

A One-Percenter Christmas

A Gilded Age one percenter, that is. Teri Tynes' tribute to Christmas in the New York City of the 1880's links to this report on the shocking commercialization of the Holiday. (How commercialized? Pre-stuffed Christmas stockings!)

The Vanderbilts, Astors and other one-percenters of the Gilded Age needed wealth management. Trust companies rose to meet the need. The United States Trust Company of New York, founded in 1853, "led all New York institutions in deposits" by 1886. 

When you visit Tynes' Walking Off the Big Apple, enjoy her Nighttime Stroll to See the Holiday Lights of Greenwich Village. You would need to be a current one-percenter to own one of those houses on W. 10th Street.

Seasons Greetings!

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