
12/03/2025
Mrs. John Jacob Astor
The first photograph of Mrs. John Jacob Astor since the Titanic disaster where her husband lost his life. With Mrs. Astor, who was Miss Madeline Force, is the colonel's favorite dog, which is her faithful companion and comrade. c. 1913
"Kitty," pet Airedale of John Jacob Astor IV and his second wife, Madeleine Talmage Force Astor. Kitty and Astor were both lost at sea during the infamous sinking of the "unsinkable" RMS Titanic on the ship's maiden voyage. The expectant Mrs. Astor secured a seat in a lifeboat and survived.
Astor was a millionaire who made his fortune in the fur trade. He founded the American Fur Company in 1808. At the time of his death in 1848, he was the wealthiest person in the United States.