American Museum of Natural History New York City
I have several postcards from the museum. The earliest cards were made before 1935. We know this because the Hayden Planetarium was first opened on Oct 3, 1935 and all cards after this date state Hayden Planetarium on them. All views only identify two meteorites; Willamette and Ahnighito. It looks like the museums interest in meteorite post cards ended some time in the 1950's as no new cards that I am aware of were produced after this date. updated 2/25/08
Ahnighito
The "Ahnighito" meteorite is really a piece of the Cape York meteorite. Originally called the "tent" by the natives of Greenland it was renamed by Admiral Robert Peary after his daughter who was born close by just a few years earlier. The meteorite was brought to the USA by Admiral Peary in 1897 where it was stored in a warehouse before finally making its way to the museum on Oct. 1, 1904. It is the largest meteorite inside a museum in the world. The meteorite weighs 31 MT (34 US ton) and is the third largest in the world. Unfortunately the American Museum of Natural History still lists it as the second largest.
1904-1935 cards pre Hayden Planetarium
This image appears in several books including Farrington "Meteorites" published in 1915. This postcard has a divided back with a white border and was published by Detroit Publishing Co.(which closed in 1924). While it has the number 8 on the front I have not found a way to accurately date it. The best I can say is it dates from 1907 (divided back) to 1915. If it dates from closer to 1907 it could be the oldest meteorite/meteor crater postcard in the USA. Note the cool "conductor" style hat on the base which is used for scale. This is by far my favorite Ahnighito card.
This image shows Dr Clyde Fisher and two kids. It also shows two other meteorites from the Cape York fall including the "Dog" (407 kg) and the "Woman" (3 tons). Check out the modern day display of these two meteorites. AMNH-NY This post card was mailed July 20, 1934 from NJ. In just over 1 year these meteorites would be located in their new home in Hayden Planetarium. It says card # 3 on the front so I wonder if there are other meteorite related cards in the series. The pictures on the back wall show the giant meteorite being moved.
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1935-present cards post Hayden Planetarium
These linen images probably date from 1935-1945.
That is Dr Clyde Fisher in the image. He was at the museum from 1913-1941 and was head of Hayden from 1935-1941. He appears in several images with the Ahnighito but curiously never with the Willamette meteorite. I also have a slightly different view with Dr Fisher facing the other direction and holding his hand on the meteorite.
This chrome image dates from after 1945. I have one other chrome postcard that is just a copy of the Clyde Fisher card from above.
Willamette
The Willamette was purchased for the museum in 1906. It arrived from Oregon to the museum on April 19, 1906. So all cards will be dated after this. This 14.1 MT (15.5 US ton) meteorite is the 9th largest in the world. Sadly the museum still lists it as the 6th largest in the world. Oh well maybe some day they will look at my site and make the correction. Here is a great story about the discovery and "life" of this amazing meteorite.
It was exhibited at the The Lewis & Clark Exposition from June 1 -Oct. 15, 1905. I have not seen a postcard or any image from this exposition. If one exists and you have it let me know as I would love to add the image to this page.
1906-1935 pre Hayden Planetarium
This unusual photo was taken in 1911
After 1935-present
These linen images probably date from 1935-1945.
This chrome image probably dates from after 1945.
