19th century pictures

Image of one of the two obelisks originally erected in Heliopolis by Thutmose III but later transported to Alexandria by the Romans (at the behest of Augustus) and placed in a temple dedicated to Queen Cleopatra (Cleopatra VII). This led to the common name Cleopatra's Needle (Needles). The first obelisk was donated to Great Britain and arrived in London in 1877, the second to the United States and erected in Central Park, New York on 22 February 1881. The one now standing in Central Park is recognisable in the image. Visible on the wall of the building in the background is an Italian plate for transport via railway.

Image of one of the two obelisks originally erected in Heliopolis by Thutmose III but later transported to Alexandria by the Romans (at the behest of Augustus) and placed in a temple dedicated to Queen Cleopatra (Cleopatra VII).