Solving the Mystery of Simon and Garfunkels Greatest Hits and the Silver Knob

Ever since Simon and Garfunkels Greatest Hits album came out on June 14th, 1972, people have asked, “What the heck is Paul Simon Holding in His Hand?

The item in question is a silver knob, placed near groin level and Paul is holding it with a curious grip.

Is it some kind of trophy?
Is it a chalice?
Is it a symbol so deep that we will never understand its meaning?
Did he steal the hood ornament from a luxury car?

For many decades people have glanced at the curiously placed knob, I decided stop staring and to get some answers. I headed to New York City to find out for myself. It turns out that when the photo was taken, Paul had stated that he lived in an apartment once owned by guitar player Andre Segovia. Old phone books place Andre Segovia at East 94th Street in Manhattan, just east of the middle of Central Park.

Google Maps shows a fence in front of the house at number 8, East 94th Street and atop that fence – behold the Golden Knob!

After all these years, it turns out that Paul Simon was simply holding onto the knob atop the fence for support, as the photos were taken.