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Schreiber-Bogen Card Modelling Statue of Liberty
In 1876 the USA celebrated 100 years' independence. In honor of this occasion, the French nation dedicated to the American nation a monumental statue, which was soon given the name 'Miss Liberty'. The figure was created by the sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, who made use of the ancient world with his idea of using a gigantic statue as a lighthouse at the entrance to the harbor. The Colossus of Rhodes most certainly inspired him. It is said that for the statue, Bartholdi modeled the facial features after his mother and the figure after his wife. In the interior, the statue is supported by an iron framework, which was constructed by the firm of Gustave Eiffel, the builder of the Eiffel Tower. The casing of the statue consists of 350 thin copper plates. The statue itself is 46.5 meters high and weighs 225 tons. In its right hand the statue holds a torch whose flame is covered with gold. In its left hand it holds a tablet with the inscription 'July IV MDCCLXXVI' ('July 4, 1776'), the date of the American Declaration of Independence. On its head it wears a seven-pointed crown in which there are 25 windows. This symbolism also originates from the antique world: the rays represent the continents and the windows the gemstones.
Originally 'Miss Liberty' was supposed to commemorate the liberation of the slaves, ten years after the end of the American Civil War. But already at its dedication it was known more as a symbol for French-American friendship. Both states also worked together constructing the statue. The Americans built the pedestal, the French built the statue. The statue was financed solely by donations. However, it was not always easy to raise the necessary money. For that reason, the completion of the monument was delayed by ten years. Until everything was ready, the French put the statue up in Paris on a trial basis. Even today a smaller copy of the statue can be seen there. Another copy stands in Colmar
