  We present infrared photometry and optical and infrared spectroscopy of the
recently-discovered, extremely luminous nearby quasar PDS 456. A number of
broad emission features are seen in the near-infrared which we are unable to
identify. We measure a more accurate redshift from a narrow forbidden emission
line and compare the optical-infrared spectrum to that of 3C 273. The close
similarity suggests that PDS 456 is a radio-quiet analogue of 3C 273, although
radio observations do not support this idea.
