The Waldorf Astoria presents an exhibition with objects that were stolen by their hotel guests.
A singular amnesty for all those guests who took something from the Waldorf Astoria during their staying there has allowed this historic New York hotel to recuperate many of the stolen pieces.
This initiative began last summer and the objects are still arriving to this day, despite the campaign having ended in September. Among the objects that have been returned are, for instance, a silver coffee pot from 1938, a silver spoon from 1925, a pink teapot and a bottle opener. Some of these objects were stolen during special events.
Some of the articles are showcased in the hotel itself and online at the Hotel's homepage exclusively dedicated to this amnesty program.
It was predicted that these types of initiatives would be better received than previously expected. An example of the public's response also occurred with a similar initiative by the hotel Château Laurier in Ottawa, Canada. As part of the hotel's centennial celebrations it also declared an amnesty to encourage former hotel guests to return objects they stole so these could be presented in a historical and rather particular exhibition.