William Penn Annex West in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
John Wanamaker
1923
| | John Massey Rhind | |
Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 2014
1. John Wanamaker Marker
A pioneer in modern marketing and advertising, John Wanamaker (1838-1922) founded the nearby emporium that bore his name for more than a century. At Wanamakers, one of the earliest department stores in the nation, he created and popularized the money-back guarantee, a fixed-price system, and other consumer benefits that became industry standards. He was also a philanthropist who contributed to many civic causes.
After his death, schoolchildren donated $50,000 in pennies to a Memorial Committee to help finance this statue by Scottish-born John Massey Rhind, one of the eras foremost sculptors of public monuments.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 57.158′ N, 75° 9.764′ W. Marker was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It was in William Penn Annex West. It was on Market Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 3 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19102, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Pennsylvania. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Brigadier General Smedley D. Butler (within shouting distance of this marker); Philadelphia Fire Department Memorial
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is one of many located on or about Philadelphia City Hall.
Also see . . .
1. John Wanamaker. Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on April 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. John Wanamaker (1923) by John Massey Rhind (1860 - 1936). "Association for Public Art" entry. (Submitted on April 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 2014
2. "John Wanamaker"
from PBS, unknown
3. John Wanamaker & Wanamaker's Philadelphia store
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 538 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 28, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on April 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
