Metropolitan Life Insurance Building

This advertising piece is an exact reproduction of the home office building of Metropolitan Life. It is made of gilded white metal. Around the base of the building are inscribed: “Home Office”; “Largest Office Building in the World”; “Metropolitan Life Insurance Co”; “New York City”. The inkwell is found in the middle of the roof and has a swivel cover. The inkwell was produced by Robert Stoll at 12 John Street in Manhattan. This is marked on the underside of the inkwell.

This historic structure is located at One Madison Avenue at 23^rd Street in New York City. The East Wing was built in 1893. The tower was added in 1909. The building was designed by architect Napolean LeBrun & Sons. At 700 feet high, the building was the tallest in the world from 1909 – 1913. It features four clock faces, four bells, and lighted beacons at its top. For many years, an illustration of the building with light emanating from the tip of its spire had the slogan “The Light That Never Fails” – a prominent feature of the company’s advertising.