The Lost Key, A c.1930s Hotel Key for Room 301B, The Shoreham, Washington USA

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The Lost Key, A c.1930s Hotel Key for Room 301B, The Shoreham, Washington USA

About the Item

The mis-laid 1930s period part-barrel shafted iron key marked ‘Oakley Brighton’, to a black bakelite fob with beautifully etched and punched script for The Shoreham 301 B Washington D.C. with the reverse stating ‘Drop in any mail box unsealed, postage guaranteed’, the whole surviving from Art Deco period America. The key is in very good condition with patination commensurate with age and no damage to report. The bakelite fob is very tactile. The Omni Shoreham Hotel was built in 1930 by the owner of a construction company, Harry Bralove and Waddy Butler Wood designed the hotel. One of the hotel’s major financial partners was Henry L. Doherty who later lived in the hotel with his family but left soon after his daughter died in what is now known as the “Ghost Suite”. President Franklin D. Roosevelt also held his first inaugural ball at the hotel. The hotel was outfitted with an elevator and a lamp to allow the President to move freely and easily. The Shoreham has hosted various inaugural balls since then. Henry L. Doherty, one of the hotel’s financial partners, and his entire family moved into the hotel into what is now Suite 870. They moved into the hotel with their maid, Juliette Brown. One night Juliette awoke at 4:00 am feeling very ill and called the hotel desk in a panic. She died before she could speak with anyone. It was also not long after when Mr. Doherty’s wife & daughter died too. After this unfortunate string of events, Mr. Doherty moved out of the hotel. The apartment was then unoccupied for over 50 years. The Doherty’s apartment was then renovated into a hotel suite. However, since the apartment was reopened, staff and guests soon reported hearing faint voices and witnessed doors closing and opening by themselves. Televisions, as well as lights, would also turn off and on by themselves, strangely all around 4:00 am, at the same time it’s believed Juliette passed away. Some occupants also said that they came back to the room with the furniture re-arranged. Although we are unsure what became of room 301b, this is just one of those objects that has the beautiful weight of a story untold.

Dimensions:
Height: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)Width: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Depth: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)
Style:
Art Deco (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bakelite
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1930-1940
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Bedford, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 22781stDibs: LU1944321440592