The Statue of Liberty, New York, New York, United States (N 40º41’ W 74º03’) Card 170x120mm with recycled envelope and biodegradable cello. Detailed caption on the reverse of the card. Card is blank for your own message.
The most famous statue in the world has stood proudly at the mouth of the Hudson River, south of Manhattan, since 1886, brandishing in her right hand the flame of liberty, and carrying in her other, a tablet that marks the date of the United States Declaration of Independence; the 4th of July 1776. Given by the French nation to the people of the United States, Liberty, “illuminating the world”, according to its official name, was the work of the French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The iron structure, engineered by Gustave Eiffel, is covered with beaten copper, and at 93 metres (305 feet) above sea level, the recent restoration, (including the re-gilding of the “illuminated torch” in 24 carat gold) will go some way to protecting the “flame”, in spite of the winds that swirl around at this point in the harbour. At Liberty’s feet, lie broken shackles of oppression and tyranny.
This symbolism represents another facet of liberty; freedom of thought, a fundamental humanitarian right, held in contempt in many places of the world.
© yann arthus-bertrand/altitude - www.yannarthusbertrand.org - www.goodplanet.org
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