rare “top of the rock” rockefeller center 70th floor skyview lobby building sign – c. 1933 ge building (formerly rca)

Gallery - SKU: 51-5970-10

original and rare late 1930′s historic double-sided cast bronze interior rca building lobby sign plaque likely removed from a weighted, freestanding base. the remarkably heavy bronze and plate glass sign provides visitor information concerning guided tours including the 70th floor skyview – often referred to as the “top of the rock.” the sign was salvaged from the art deco style ge building – new york skyscraper that forms the centerpiece of rockefeller center in midtown manhattan. known as the rca building until 1988, it is famous for housing the headquarters of the television network nbc. the 70-story building is the 9th tallest building in new york city and the 32nd tallest in the united states. the building was completed in 1933 as part of the rockefeller center. the noted art deco architect raymond hood led a team of rockefeller architects. it was named the rca building for its main tenant, the radio corporation of america, formed in 1919 by general electric. it was the first building constructed with the elevators grouped in the central core. during construction, photographer charles ebbets took the famous photograph lunchtime atop a skyscraper. national broadcasting company, also owned by general electric, leased space in the building. the office of the rockefeller family occupied room 5600 on the 56th floor. the rca building was renamed as the ge building in 1988, two years after general electric re-acquired the rca corporation. the frieze located above the main entrance was executed by lee lawrie and depicts “wisdom,” along with a slogan that reads “wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times.” the vertical detailing of the building’s austere art deco facade is integrated with a slim, functionally expressive form. the present exterior is recognized for the large ge letters at the building’s top. unlike most other tall art deco buildings constructed in the 1930s, the ge building has no spire on its roof. the sign measures 22 x 10 x 2 inches.

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