Der Rittmeister Militaria, LLC. Imperial German Merchandise Page 21: Zeppelin, Graf Zeppelin, Hindenburg, & Balloon-Related Materials: Badges, Books, Memorabilia, Headdress, etc.   Updated on 3 May 2012. Contact us @:rittmeister@tampabay.rr.com

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21-149 ORIGINAL PAINTING - EARLY ZEPPELIN FLYING OVER FREDERICK THE GREAT’S PRUSSIAN ROYAL PALACE SANS SOUCCI. This is a most unusual painting on wood, circa 1910. The painting shows the palace built by order of Frederick the Great in Potsdam, Sans Soucci. It is one of the most fascinating of the Prussian royal palaces. When it was built, it was intended to be a summer palace for Frederick the Great when he wanted to get away from all of the hubbub of Berlin. It remains a beautiful site today. I enjoy touring it when we are in the Potsdam area. What is so unusual about this piece is that the artist did his work on wood, instead of canvas or paper. I am no expert, but this is a beautiful light wood. The artist used a knife to cut indentations around and within all the painted areas. This gives the illusion that the picture is created from different colored pieces of inlaid wood.  Some patterns even have small pieces of wood cut out to further the illusion. Close inspection, however, reveals that the images are PAINTED, not inlaid. The painting's actual surface  measures 17" x 10 1/4."  The full, framed picture measures 20 1/4" X 13 3/4." A black-framed rectangular area, measuring 15 1/4" x 8 1/2," is painted inside the overall surface. This imitates a matte within a framed picture. Inside this area at the bottom is a classic view of Sans Soucci. An early pre WW I zeppelin is flying in the sky above. The presentation has a black wooden frame, trimmed in gold. What appears to be the artist’s signature is on the painting’s reverse. It looks like "FJ."  This is a superb piece of work, very different from what we often see. It is totally original and unique! [Special shipping will be required on this item. The price will be based on where it needs to be shipped]. $1,695.00  

 

 

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21-101 XRB FIREMAN’S HELMET - ZEPPELIN FACTORY. This is a consignment item. The Zeppelin factory was located in Friedrichshafen on Lake Konstanz near the Swiss border in Southwestern Germany. It was here that Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin built his factory, and where both early and wartime zeppelins were built. After the Graf’s death in 1917 and WW I’s end in 1918, it looked very unlikely that the factory would continue. Due to Hugo Eckener’s efforts, however, the factory survived. Soon, the Hindenburg and Graf Zeppelin were both built and placed in service. The factory in Friedrichshafen was quite large. It had sheds right on the lake for the early zeppelins. As the factory grew even larger and more modern, the threat of fires from hydrogen increased. [This was brought home dramatically in1937, when the Hindenburg burst into flames at Lakehurst, NJ]. A fire brigade was established for the safety and protection of the factory. This is a very rare helmet for a fireman who served at the Friedrichshafen factory. It is the classic German Fireman’s helmet, in painted black metal with a crest at the top. The exterior is flawless and in near mint condition. Inside, it displays a full and complete leather liner. The chinstrap for securing the helmet to the wearer’s head is present. On the back visor, stenciled in white, are the words "Lusftschiffbau Zeppelin A.G. Friedrichshafen." The helmet is marked as a size "56." This is a very rare item for the zeppelin collector. It dates from 1930 to 1935. It is a consignment piece. $2,995.00

 

 

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15-417 HAUPTMANN TUNIC - LUFTSCHIFFER-BATTALION - PRUSSIA. This is a hauptmann’s pre-World War I tunic from a Luftschiffer-Battalion (or possibly on staff). A total of five battalions was founded in the Prussian Army between 1884 and 1913. Obviously the Luftschiffer-Battalion (Nr 1), founded in 1884, initially depended on gas balloons, until Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin developed the first motorized airship. The next four battalions were founded in 1911 and 1913. All of these pre-WW I battalions were Prussian, although Luftschiffer Battalion Nr 2 had one Saxon Kompagnie and Luftschiffer-Battalion Nr 4 fielded a single Kompagnie from Württemberg. These five battalions were scattered in the Garde-Korps, I. ArmeeKorps, VIII. ArmeeKorps, and XIV. ArmeeKorps. [We should note that Bavaria, who often followed its own path, combined Luftschiffer and Kraftfahr Kompagnies into a single battalion. The unit was assigned to the I. Bavarian ArmeeKorps. It was also founded in 1911].Our tunic’s body is dunkel-blau (dark-blue). Red trim appears at the collar, sleeves, and down the tunic’s center near the buttons. The buttons are all silver-toned. The standard eight buttons appear down the tunic’s front. Two buttons also show on each sleeve in the front. The collar boasts massive, embroidered, bullion leitzen. Two smaller, embroidered, silver bullion leitzen are also on the sleeves. The sleeves are made of black velvet. The silver bullion shows off handsomely against that background. The shoulder boards each have a hauptmann’s twin, gilt pips, as well as a gilt stylized "L" for Luftschiffer. The shoulder boards are of the slip-on variety, with a red underlay. No battalion number shows on the "L" cypher. This leads me to believe that the officer was not directly assigned to a battalion, but may have been on the staff of either a Brigade, Division, or ArmeeKorps. It is even possible that he served on the general staff. Naturally, as WW I began, more battalions were formed, as was the case with every other type of army unit. The tunic’s chest reveals two horizontal sets of loops, either for two ribbon bars, or a ribbon bar and a decoration with a horizontal rather than a vertical pin. The loops measure 1 1/4" for the top, and 1" for the bottom. The tunic’s reverse sports red trim at the vent flap, along with six more silver-toned buttons. Inside the tunic is a fairly-standard, black, silk officer’s lining. No identification appears for the owner or the tailor shop that produced the tunic. This is a handsome tunic with no apparent signs of mothing, in beautiful condition. It is a very rare and desirable item. $3,495.00 Sale Price $2,995.00!!

  

 

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15-511 XMK ENLISTED MAN’S TUNIC - PRUSSIAN LUFTSCHIFFER-ABTEILUNG. This is a consignment item. It is a pre WW I enlisted man’s tunic from a Luftschiffer-Abteilung. As a prewar tunic, it is dark-blue (dunkel-blau) rather than feldgrau. The tunic has eight silver-toned buttons that extend down the tunic’s front. Red trims the collar’s top and extends down the tunic’s front. The same trim is seen at the cuffs. The collar has a black background and two very long leitzen that wrap around the collar’s front and side. The cuffs are also black, with twin white leitzen. Set on each of these two leitzen are another two silver-toned buttons. The shoulder straps are red, with a yellow embroidered "L." Each shoulder strap’s underlay is dark-blue. One end of the strap is sewn-in, while the other is attached with a smaller, domed, silver-toned button. Each button sports a "2" for Kompagnie Nr 2. The vent flap on the tunic’s rear is trimmed in red and features another six silver-toned buttons. Inside the tunic, we see it is a privately-purchased item, complete with a silk liner. Only a trace of moth tracking shows on the surface. It is a superb tunic. $1,795.00  Reduced Price $1,575.00!!

 

 

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21-262 FRAMED ZEPPELIN COLLAGE. This is a marvelous framed collage of items that relate to zeppelins. A total of four items appear in the collage. They range in dates from 1917 to 1937. I will describe the four items chronologically.

 

1) Photograph of Navy Zeppelin L53. The L53 also held the production number of LZ 100. It was launched on 8 August 1917. During its service, it flew nineteen reconnaissance missions and four bombing missions over England. It was shot down over England on 11 August 1918 by a Royal Naval Air Service Lieutenant flying a Sopwith Camel. The photo, which measures 6 7/8" x 4 1/8," shows the L 53 as she is rolled out of her hanger. The zeppelin’s stern appears in the photograph.

2) Graf Zeppelin World Flight Badge from 1929. A wide variety of badges were produced, covering a great assortment of zeppelin badges like this. Some were world flight badges and others were more regionalized. The badge measures 1 3/4" in diameter. The edge proclaims "Graf Zeppelin Weltflug 1929." The badge’s center shows the Graf Zeppelin in profile. She is superimposed over a blue and green map of the world. While it cannot be seen, these had a pin on the reverse. They are VERY prized by collectors.

3) Newspaper clipping from 19 October 1933. The clipping comes from a newspaper in Hanover. The headline reads "Deutsche Zeppeline über York." The article deals with zeppelins that flew over and bombed York in England during WW I. At the end of the article, another smaller article deals with a speed record set by the Graf Zeppelin.

4) Crew uniform button from either the Graf Zeppelin or the Hindenburg. The gilt-toned button is a post 1933 example. The button has an eagle with the world in his claws. Superimposed over the globe is a zeppelin. At the globe’s bottom is a swastika.

 

The collage is framed in a black with gold trim and measures 16 ½" x 14 3/4." It is a great historical collage that will be of particular interest to you zeppelin collectors. $595.00

 

 

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21-114 XRB LARGE DURALUMINUM ZEPPELIN BOWL. This is a consignment piece. It is a large bowl that might have been used for holding fruit or other such items. It is made from Duraluminum, a very expensive and seldom-used metal, except for the construction of zeppelins. Often when a zeppelin crashed in the early days, the framework was recycled and used to sell items such as this to the very patriotic German people. This bowl measures 8 ½" x 11." It sports a likeness of Graf von Zeppelin and an early zeppelin in the sky. I have seen cups and bowls of this nature before, but this is the largest one I have ever seen. $1,195.00  

 

 

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21-193 MEISSEN TABLE MEDAL - GRAF ZEPPELIN "AROUND THE WORLD VOYAGE" - 1929. Meissen was one of the premier makers of tableware and porcelain items in Imperial Germany. The firm is hundreds of years old, and has survived to this day. Today we are offering a large-format table medal that salutes the Graf Zeppelin’s (LZ-127) "Around the World Tour." The tour began in Friedrichshafen, Germany, where the Graf Zeppelin was built, and continued on to Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Lakehurst, NJ (where her sister ship, the Hindenburg, exploded in May 1937) before returning to Germany. It measures 2" in diameter and is chocolate brown. It shows hallmarking for Meissen on both sides. This is something different for you zeppelin collectors. $350.00

 

 

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21-198 METAL CIGARILLO BOX - ZEPPELIN. It was quite common in Germany, during and after WW I, to sell cigarettes in metal boxes. Today we are offering a metal box measuring 4 1/2" x 3 1/2." It held ten cigarillos when new. It is multicolored, and shows a zeppelin emerging from a cloud bank. $325.00

 

 

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21-231 ZEPPELIN FLOWN ENVELOPE - USA. Flying postcards, letters, and plain cards via zeppelin was always popular with the German people and their correspondents at the many worldwide zeppelin destinations. These items have a lot of detail to them, and remain quite popular to this date. Our offering today is an envelope that measures 4 1/4" x 6 1/2." The envelope was mailed to a Josef Goldberger in New York. In the upper left corner is a stamp that says "Erstflug Mit Luftschiff ‘Hindenburg L. Z. 129' nach Nord-Amerika." To the right we see a blue rubber stamp that reads "Mit Luftpost Par Avion." Below it and again to the left is a red rubber stamp that shows an airplane and a zeppelin flying together. Around the edge of the stamp is "Deutsche Luftpost Europa-Nordamerika." To its right is a canceled stamp in the amount of 50 Pfennig. The stamp shows a zeppelin in flight. The stamp’s top reads "Mit LZ 129 nach Nordamerika." The stamp is canceled from the Bahnpostamt in Frankfurt. On the reverse we see the return address of the sender, a Norbert Frischer in Vienna. Also it has a cancellation from New York, NY on 9 May 1936. This is particularly interesting, as the Hindenburg exploded into flames barely one year later at Lyndhurst, NJ. $175.00

 

 

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21-206 SMALL SERVING TRAY - GRAF ZEPPELIN OR HINDENBURG. This is a small serving tray which was used on the zeppelin Hindenburg or the Graf Zeppelin airship. The bowl is curved and measures 7 3/4" in diameter. It has a high aluminum finish. It sports the Zeppelin Company’s hallmark in the center on the reverse. Items of this nature are always prized by collectors of zeppelin antiques. $625.00
 

 

 

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21-115 XRB SMALL TEASPOON SALUTING GRAF FERDINAND von ZEPPELIN. This is a consignment piece. It is a small demitasse teaspoon. The spoon’s bowl depicts Frankfurt in 1909. The skyline can be seen from the river. In the air is a zeppelin, an airplane, and a hotter-than-air-balloon. The spoon’s handle has a cutout likeness of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin. $150.00

 

 

 

 

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21-276 PRE 1914 ZEPPELIN CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT. Christmas was a very special time of year for Imperial Germans (it still is). Today we are offering a significant Imperial German Christmas tree ornament. It is made of glass and replicates a pre WW I zeppelin. The ornament measures 8" in length and 6 3/4" in diameter. The zeppelin’s basic color is silver, although some areas are missing silver paint. "Zeppelin" is emblazoned in black on both sides of the airship. At the ornament’s bottom are two gondolas that are painted red. Black highlights adorn the airship’s nose. The nose has a typical ornament’s attachment through which a hook is placed to hang it on a Christmas tree. This marvelous ornament is very close to one-hundred-years-old. It would make a wonderful addition to your Christmas tree during the upcoming holidays, then you could display it with your collection for the rest of the year. $275.00

 

 

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21-263 "ECKNER SPENDE" ZEPPELIN BADGE. Hugo Eckner (1868-1954) was an important part of the Zeppelin Company, which he joined in 1908. He had been an early critic of the zeppelins that were produced at that time. During WW I, he was the Chief Instructor for all zeppelins used by the army and navy. After the war ended, he assumed management of the company. The Treaty of Versailles prevented the Germans from building airships of the size that Eckner felt were necessary for commercial success. He lobbied the allied authorities, and finally was allowed to build the LZ-126. It was allowed with the proviso that the airship be turned over to the USA. In a much-publicized flight (Eckner was also a skilled PR man, which had been his first role when he joined in 1908). After a daunting flight, the LZ-126 was turned over to American authorities. It was renamed the U. S. S. Los Angeles, and was operated by the U.S. Navy until she was scrapped in 1939. From this base, Eckner continued his efforts to build commercial zeppelins. Taking a page from former employer Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin’s book, Eckner appealed to the German people for money to build his gentle giants. It was through the "Zeppelin Eckner Spende" effort that the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg airships were built and sailed around the world. [In fact, Eckner himself was the captain on the longer, record-breaking flights]. Eckner had little use for the Nazis, who saw these zeppelins as a means for propaganda and displaying Germany’s might around the world. Eckner wanted no part of such shenanigans, and was replaced in the company by those willing to serve the Nazi Party’s desires. The pin features the cause’s name, with a zeppelin sailing over the world. The badge is oval-shaped and measures 2 1/4" x 2 3/4." It is interesting to note it is a fabric badge. All of its information is embroidered on it. A sturdy pin is on the reverse. The badge bears a manufacturer’s hallmark. $175.00

 

 

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21-269 XJB FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH - GRAF FERDINAND von ZEPPELIN’S FUNERAL CORTEGE. This is a consignment item. It is a framed photograph of the funeral cortege of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin. The Graf founded airships used in Germany before WW I. During WW I his ships were used for the bombing of England and Belgium. The procession follows the casket and is led by König Wilhelm II of Württemberg. The casket has crossed swords and the Graf’s tschapka. He held the rank of general of cavalry in the army. The framed photograph measures 10" x 13." The photo within measures 8 3/4" x 11 3/4." Below the photograph is another smaller window with printed information about the funeral and the date. $75.00
 

 

 

 

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21-270 XJB FRAMED POSTER "DIE ENGLANDER." This is a consignment item. It is a poster titled "Die Englander," and is related to how Germany planned to attack and defeat England at home. At the top is an English Lion on the ground cowering as a zeppelin and four U-Boots attack it. The poster is framed in a period-styled but modern day-manufactured frame that measures 10 1/4" x 12 ½." Inside the frame, the poster measures 11 ½" x 9." $125.00

 

 

 

 

 

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21-257 XJB ZEPPELIN - THE HISTORY OF GERMAN AIRSHIPS FROM 1900 TO 1937 by CHRISTOPHER CHANT. This is a consignment item. It is a hard back book complete with a dust jacket. It measures 9" x 12" x ½." The book was published in 2000. It chronicles the development and growth of zeppelins in Germany from 1900-1937. Initially under the guidance of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin, airships in Germany were on-and-off successes, but they always captured the German people’s imaginations. Even though the Graf suffered setbacks when his zeppelins crashed, the German people supported him financially and spiritually as he strove to reorganize and move forward. Before WW I, thousands of people paid high prices to take short trips on zeppelins. Once the war began, the Graf convinced the German Army and Navy that his zeppelins could help the military overcome their enemies. Zeppelins bombed cities on the continent and in England. It was a prelude to Hermann Göring’s blitzes in 1940. The Graf died in 1917 and never saw the real success of his gentle giants. As Germany rebuilt itself from WW I’s ruin, so did the Graf’s company. After the war, the LZ-126 was constructed and flown across the Atlantic, where it was turned over to the U.S. Navy to become the U.S.S. Los Angeles. This paved the way for the next German airship to be constructed, the LZ-127 or Graf Zeppelin. She became an ambassador for Germany as she flew around the world as a commercial airship. She was later joined by the LZ-129 or Hindenburg. Hugo Eckner, who ran the Zeppelin Company, was most interested in advancing commercial aviation, not politics. He came into conflict with Adolf Hitler over the zeppelins’ use, and the attachment of the swastika to the aircraft rudders. Ultimately, the Hindenburg exploded over Lakehurst, NJ in May 1937, which ended Germany’s zeppelins. This book is most helpful and has many fine photographs, charts, etc. $40.00

 

 

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21-131 GERMAN-LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER - GRAF von ZEPPELIN COVER. This is a German language newspaper "Das Leben im Bild." The edition is from 1916, with eight pages of material. Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin is on the cover. Inside is a story with photos of Oswald Boelcke and Max Immelmann. Other photos show the German Army in action. One article is complete with illustrations about mine laying, while another reports about film making! It has all of the latest information from 1916 (at the time!), the year that Immelmann and Boelcke both died, and the year before Graf von Zeppelin was to die. $60.00

 

 

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21-248 COLOR POSTCARD - TOWED EARLY ZEPPELIN - LAKE KONSTANZ - FRIEDRICHSHAFEN. This is a special commemorative postcard for the LZ 1, which was first launched in 1900. The airship was built and flown from Lake Konstanz at Friedrichshafen. The color postcard was specifically designed and mailed with special cancellations by the Deutsche Post on 5 August 1983. It commemorates the 75^th anniversary (1908-1983) of Friedrichshafen’s Zeppelin Museum. $30.00

 

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21-127 ORIGINAL 1937 FRONT PAGE - ZEPPELIN HINDENBURG CRASH. This is an original front page (with the facing second page) recounting the disastrous explosion of the zeppelin Hindenburg. The newspaper comes from Frankfurt am Main, a common zeppelin port of call. The paper is dated 7 May 1937. It has been folded in half, but remains in very good condition. This really should be framed using conservation methods. $395,00 

 

 

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21-251 GERMAN-LANGUAGE ARTICLE - RADIOS ABOARD ZEPPELINS - DER DEUTSCHE RUNDFUNK. This is a German-language article that comes from Der Deutsche Rundfunk. It tells the story about radios and radio rooms aboard zeppelins. The article goes into great detail about zeppelins’ radio rooms and the technical aspects of usage of radios onboard. This is a post WW I article. $30.00

 

 

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21-252 GERMAN-LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER - DELIVERY - ZEPPELIN - U.S. This is a German-language newspaper the Berliner Illustrierte Zeitung. The edition was published in November 1923. The issue’s cover shows a German zeppelin, piloted by Dr. Hugo Eckner, as it lands in Lakehurst, New Jersey. This zeppelin was turned over to the U.S. government as a part of war reparations levied against Germany after WW I. It became the U.S.S. Los Angeles. Nearly thirty pages are in the newspaper, with articles of all sorts. A particularly interesting article is about dictators, including Julius Caesar, Benito Mussolini, and Lenin. A certain would-be dictator from Bavaria was not yet a national figure, but would be when he assumed power in 1933. $40.00

 

 

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21-239 CORRESPONDENCE - MAGAZINES -"NEW ZEPPELIN" - 1966. This grouping has a letter soliciting information about the demolition of zeppelin hangars in Frankfort, a one page ad for a new (1960’s) zeppelin service in Frankfort, the three magazines from an airship navigation society, and the envelope in which the information was delivered. The letter is from Herr J. A. Becker, a member of the Verein Für Luftschiffahrt e.V. Landesgruppe Hessen (Society for Airship Navigation - Hessian State Group). He is writing to a Herr Otto Jung regarding some photos the latter sent to Becker. The letter’s text is as follows:

Herzlichen Dank für die Zusendung der Fotos von der Sprengung der beiden Zeppelinhallen in Frankfurt. Die Fotos sind für uns sehr wertvoll. Gut wäre es, wenn Sie noch den Film zu diesen Aufnahmen hätten um Vergrößerungen machen zu können. Falls Sie den Film noch haben sollten wäre ich für ein kurzfristige Überlassung dankbar.

Da Sie damals als Funker Die Sprengung der Zeppelinhallen miterlebt haben, wäre ich Ihnen sehr dankbar, wenn Sie mir einen erlebnisbericht über die Sprengung zukommen liesen. Haben Sie auch die Zerstörung der beiden Zeppeline LZ 127 u. 130 miterlebt? Wie war damals die Stimmung bei den Leuten die bei der Sprengung der beiden Hallen und der Zerstörung der beiden Zeppeline mitgewirkt, oder als Zuschauer anwesend waren?

Für Ihre Bemühungen danke ich Ihnen im Namen aller alten Zeppelinfahrer und des Vereins für Luftschiffahrt. Als Anerkennung erhalten Sie für Ihre Mitarbeit die in der Anlage beigefügten 3 Hefte "Die Welt der Luftschiffe."

(Cordial thanks for sending us the pictures of the demolition of the two zeppelin warehouses in Frankfurt. The photos are very valuable to us. It would be good, if you have the film from these shots, to be able to make enlargements. If you still have the movie, I would be grateful to lease it for a short term.
Since you lived through those days, the destruction of the Zeppelin halls, as a radio operator, I would be very grateful if you could give me an exciting report about the demolition. Did you witness the destruction of the two airships, LZ 127 and 130? How was the mood among the people who were involved in the demolition of the two buildings and the destruction of the two airships, or of those attending as spectators? For your efforts, I thank you in the name of all the old zeppelin pilots and the society for airship navigation. In recognition for your cooperation, please receive the enclosed 3 issues of The World of the Airships).

The text for the advertisement is as follows:

FRANKFURT UND NEUE SICHERE! LUFTSCHIFFE.

Frankfort, die Stadt der Luftschifftradition, soll wieder Mittelpunkt des Luftschiffbaues werden! Genau wie der Henninger-Turm jetzt ein Bestandteil und ein Wahrzeichen von Frankfurt geworden ist, so war einst die DELAG und die ZEPPELIN - Reederei mit der schönen Stadt am Main verwachsen und zu einem wahren Begriff geworden. Die neuen Luftschiffe, die nun heute nur mit dem unbrennbaren Heliumgas gefüllt werden sollen, garantieren daher für Jedermann eine fast 100% Sicherheit im Fluge.

(FRANKFURT AND NEW SECURE! AIRSHIPS.

Frankfort, the city of airship tradition, will again be the center of airship construction! Just as the Henninger Tower has become a part and a symbol of Frankfurt, so the DELAG and ZEPPELIN - Shipping Company was once, with the beautiful city on the Main healed and become a genuine concept. The new airships, which today are supposed to be filled only with incombustible helium gas, guarantee almost 100% safety in flight for everyone).
The airships Hindenburg and Graf Zeppelin were denied use of helium by the U.S. government after Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and his zeppelin-centered propaganda. The LZ 127 and LZ 130 were destroyed by Hermann Göring’s orders in 1940, as were Frankfort’s zeppelin hangers. Included in the information packet are three copies of Die Welt Der Luftschiffe from 1963. These magazines have information and photos of the zeppelins from the 1930's. This is an engrossing set of documents and pamphlets. $125.00

 

 

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21-171 ZEPPELIN TILE. This is a most unusual kitchen tile featuring a zeppelin in flight. The tile measures 3 3/4" x 4 1/8." The zeppelin is in high relief. Look closely, and you can see a light house and a ship at sea. While the tile is white, some trim on all four corners is blue. The tile’s back has information on its manufacturer. $395.00  

 

 

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21-173 HOOK AND EYE CARD - ZEPPELIN. This is an interesting complete card of the hooks and eyes that were commonly used on Imperial Period clothing. Zippers were not in use yet, so these small devices, (and buttons) were used to secure garments. The card measures 2 1/2" x 4 3/4." It contains twelve of the small devices. While this was the "Bato" brand, it features an early zeppelin (pre 1908) flying over the countryside. $55.00  

 

 

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21-86 ZEPPELIN AUTOMOBILE OR BUS TOY. Zeppelins have always sparked a special interest in people all over the world. Something about those giants of the air captured people’s imaginations, not only in Germany but everywhere they flew. I cannot begin to tell you the various forms of "zeppelin-mania" that erupted not just in Germany, but even here in the USA. The U.S. was an important market to the Zeppelin company. The Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg were seen across the country from Los Angeles to Lakehurst, New Jersey. [Just to give you an idea of the breadth of this mania, I have in my collection a "repro" zeppelin cocktail shaker]!  The item we are offering today is a glass automobile or small bus of a zeppelin! This is really wild-looking. The vehicle is clearly shaped like a zeppelin, including ridges at the top to further the resemblance. As if that were not enough, it has a rudder to further confirm that it is supposed to be a zeppelin on wheels! This small toy measures 5" in length and 1 5/8" in width. If you look underneath to where the chassis should be, it is stamped "Chicago, Illinois." While this was American-made (either in the 1920's or 1930's, most likely in the 1930's) I purchased it in Germany! At some point it made its way across the Atlantic. Perhaps it even made a flight on a zeppelin as a gift for some wide-eyed German youngster. Who knows? You can see this piece’s age particularly in its wheels, and in the texture and finish of the glass. This is quite an interesting item. While I had heard of these before, this is the first one that I have encountered. $450.00 . .

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18-179 PATRIOTIC CUP FOR THE AIR SERVICE, LUFTSCHIFFER SERVICE, AND THE KAISERLICHE MARINE. This is a wonderful cup that salutes three of the most highly visible branches of the German military. Commemorated here are the Imperial German Air Service, the Zeppelin Service, and the Imperial German Navy. The cup measures 5" in height. It is 3 1/8" in diameter at the lip and 2 1/4" in diameter at the base. The central theme of the cup is an outline of an Iron Cross. Within the Iron Cross we see an airplane, zeppelin, and various navy ships. Included in the vessels are surface ships and a U-boat. This is very well made by a firm in Bavaria. It is in excellent condition. $350.00 . .

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21-78 ZEPPELIN BRACELET. At first glance, this appears to be one of the popular WW I bracelets made from an artillery shell driving band. A closer look, however, reveals it to be a plain copper band without any driving band markings. What provides the interest is that the bracelet’s central motif is a zeppelin! In fact, TWO zeppelins are attached to the bracelet. It also sports a small drilled hole, for which I cannot offer an explanation. The bracelet breaks in half to place it on the wrist. A catch is present to ensure that it stays in place. No markings or hallmarking are present on the inside. It is quite a handsome piece. $215.00. . .

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21-79 ZEPPELIN TIN BOX. This is a large format tin box measuring 7 3/4" x 4 ½" x 3 1/4." In fact, this box once held tea! Five different panels on its outside depict life in and around Frankfurt prior to WW I. The lid of the box shows the most wear of the five panels. The most interesting of the remaining four panels features a zeppelin flying over the city. This box would be great for display. It has a spacious holding capacity. This lovely item would look very charming on a bookshelf or holding your special treasures. $225.00. . .

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21-82 ZEPPELIN SCHNAPPS GLASS. This is a small schnapps glass celebrating the city of Friedrichshafen and its involvement with zeppelins. Hand painted in multiple colors on the glass’s front is the city with a zeppelin overhead. Also appearing in the painted area is the legend, "Friedrichshafen Bodensee." This small cup stands 2 1/4" tall. I have never seen a shape quite like this on items of this nature. It is in excellent condition. $225.00. . .

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21-83 FRAMED HAND COLORED PHOTOGRAPH OF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN WITH A ZEPPELIN. Let me begin by telling how exquisite this piece is. It is a hand colored photograph of Friedrichshafen circa 1900 to 1910. It looks down on the city as it meanders along the edge of Lake Konstanz. Friedrichshafen was the zeppelin’s birthplace under the care of Graf (Count) von Zeppelin. The airships were often seen in the sky over the city and the lake, which separates Germany from Switzerland. Indeed, this portrait depicts a zeppelin in flight. The photo is quite unusual as it is slightly vaulted under the glass of the frame! A small brass plaque under the glass identifies the city as "Friedrichshafen a/B." The frame is gilt, with short diagonal black lines accenting the molding. The frame and photo measure 6" x 5." On the back both an easel and a ring appear by which the piece can be displayed. It is in delightful shape and is of the highest caliber. A lot of pride went into the manufacture of this item. $225.00. . .

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21-77 ZEPPELIN ECKNER SPENDE PIN. Hugo Eckner was the guiding light of the Zeppelin company during and after WW I. Besides being a first-rate engineer, he was a marketeer and PR man supreme. He negotiated to present a zeppelin to the U.S. as a part of Germany’s reparations. This zeppelin became the U.S.S. Los Angeles. In the midst of all of this, and the battle to keep the firm solvent in postwar Germany, Eckner managed to maintain the interest of the German public just as had Ferdinand von Zeppelin. Like von Zeppelin, Eckner went to the German public for financial assistance to continue his work. The German public, in spite of their own post WW I misfortune, responded by offering donations to keep the company afloat. This pin was a part of that program. The people responded to "Zeppelin Eckner Spende" just as they had for Aviation Spendes, U-boat Spendes, "Gold for Iron", etc. Causes such as these were always hugely popular. In appreciation of their support, the supporters were given pins, medals, etc. This pin is made of silk and is oval-shaped. It features the name of the cause and a zeppelin in flight. All of this was woven in four colors. This particular pin is in MINT condition. $95.00 . .

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21-45 WOODEN BOX FOR A ZEPPELIN. This is an oversized box that measures 9 ½" x 6 1/4" x 4." This box would be suitable for holding documents or jewelry. The top of this hand-carved box has the coat-of-arms for the city-state of Hamburg. The front of the box is hand carved as well and reads "Hamburg." Inside the box is carved the legend "Zum Zeppelin." Very fine workmanship. $675.00

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21-253 ZEPPELIN BADGE. This is an unusual Zeppelin Badge. It is circular/oval-shaped and measures 1 3/4" x 1 3/4." The badge features a wreath of leaves, with a zeppelin extending across the badge's width. "Zeppelin" is seen on the airship. Running vertically is an anchor. The reverse features two pins, which are intact. They allowed the badge to be affixed to a cap or a garment. The badge is stamped in a manner similar to that of a wound badge. I am not sure of the badge's purpose, although I think it is something other than a patriotic piece. [If anybody has an idea what it is or has seen one before, I am always happy to share that information with our readers]! $250.00

 

 

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21-255 ZEPPELIN UNIFORM BUTTONS. These are uniform buttons for a zeppelin crewman. They show a zeppelin of a much earlier design than the "Hindenburg" or the "Graf Zeppelin." It is my belief that these were worn by crewmen who served on zeppelins PRIOR to WW I. The buttons are gilt and measure 7/8" in diameter. All are in VERY good condition. One of them has a spot on it, so we can offer that example for $75.00. [Discounts for the purchase of multiple buttons are available]. The other FOUR are offered at $95.00 each

 

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21-48 PATRIOTIC BOX FOR THE ZEPPELIN SERVICE. This is a very fine patriotic box that has been hand carved. It salutes the zeppelin service. This box measures 8" x 6" x 4 ½." It has a very intricately crenellated (notched like battlements) pattern around much of the exterior. On the lid is a Hohenzollern Eagle, which appears to be made of brass. There is also a small brass pull on the top lid that allows access to the interior. The front panel of the box displays a beautiful hand carved, high-relief zeppelin. This is a darker color than the wood on which it appears. Inside, the wood of the box presents a burled appearance. This is, however, a paper-like material that has been applied to the inside surface. This is a wonderful example of German woodcarving art. It is especially unique since it salutes zeppelins. $450.00.

 

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21-46 ID BRACELET FOR A ZEPPELIN. This ID bracelet has a zeppelin as the centerpiece. There is also a brass tag with the numbers 31-613. Total length of the bracelet is 8". $295.00.

 

 

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21-166 TABLE MEDAL - DR. HUGO ECKNER AND LZ-126. This is a circular table medal commemorating the LZ 126. The LZ 126 was a part of Germany’s war reparations to the victorious allies. Dr. Hugo Eckner, who assumed the Zeppelin company’s control after Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin’s death, personally delivered the LZ 126 to the U. S. Navy at Lakehurst, New Jersey in 1924. [Lakehurst was where the zeppelin Hindenburg exploded thirteen years later]. The LZ 126 became the U. S. S. Los Angeles. The medal’s obverse shows a high-relief likeness of Dr. Hugo Eckner. Its reverse depicts the LZ 126 and the various stops on her voyage to America. $210.00  

 

 

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We recently acquired a large collection of WW I Luftschiffer and Balloon Photographs. They came to us in an album that was falling apart. We had no choice but to remove them and offer them to you individually. It is a wonderful assortment, which we will be sharing with you for the next several weeks.

 

40-460 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH - PRE WW I ZEPPELIN SACHSEN. This is an original photograph that measures 3 1/4" x 4 1/2." It depicts the pre WW I zeppelin "Sachsen." She was placed into service in May 1913. Before the beginning of WW I, she transported nearly 10,000 people. When the war began, she was placed in the Army’s service and became known as the LZ 17. She participated in bombing raids and retired from service in 1916. She is shown just a few feet off the ground, with a large number of people around her. The zeppelin’s name has not yet been painted forward. No doubt exists that she is the Sachsen. $30.00

 

 

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40-461 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH - PRE WW I ZEPPELIN SACHSEN. This is an original photograph that measures 3" x 4." It depicts the pre WW I zeppelin "Sachsen." She was placed into service in May 1913. Before the beginning of WW I, she transported nearly 10,000 people. When the war began, she was placed in the Army’s service and became known as the LZ 17. She participated in bombing raids and retired from service in 1916. She is shown just a few feet off the ground, with a large number of people around her. $40.00

 

 

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40-462 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH - PRE WW I ZEPPELIN SACHSEN. This is an original photograph that measures 4 1/2" x 3 1/4." It depicts the pre WW I zeppelin "Sachsen." She was placed into service in May 1913. Before the beginning of WW I, she transported nearly 10,000 people. When the war began, she was placed in the Army’s service and became known as the LZ 17. She participated in bombing raids and retired from service in 1916. This shot is looking on at the zeppelin’s bow. She is still on the ground, as her engines are not turning over. A large crowd is gathered around her. $30.00

 

 

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40-463 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH - PRE WW I ZEPPELIN SACHSEN. This is an original photograph that measures 3 1/4" x 4 1/2." It depicts the pre WW I zeppelin "Sachsen." She was placed into service in May 1913. Before the beginning of WW I, she transported nearly 10,000 people. When the war began, she was placed in the Army’s service and became known as the LZ 17. She participated in bombing raids and retired from service in 1916. In the photograph one is looking up and under the zeppelin. The shot was taken of the zeppelin’s forward portion. One of the two gondolas can be seen. $30.00

 

 

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40-464 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH - PRE WW I ZEPPELIN SACHSEN. This is an original photograph that measures 3 1/4" x 4 1/2." It depicts the pre WW I zeppelin "Sachsen." She was placed into service in May 1913. Before the beginning of WW I, she transported nearly 10,000 people. When the war began, she was placed in the Army’s service and became known as the LZ 17. She participated in bombing raids and retired from service in 1916. This shot shows the zeppelin’s stern. She is still in her hanger, but appears to being pulled out. Men are pulling on lines and others are directing the action. $30.00

 

 

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40-465 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH - UNIDENTIFIED ZEPPELIN. This is an original photograph measuring of a zeppelin’s bow (which I cannot identify). It appears similar in some ways to the Sachsen, but differences can be noted. $30.00

 

 

 

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40-466 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH - UNIDENTIFIED ZEPPELIN. This is an original photograph measuring of a zeppelin’s bow (which I cannot identify). It appears similar in some ways to the Sachsen, but differences can be noted. $30.00

 

 

 

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40-467 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH - UNIDENTIFIED ZEPPELIN. This is an original photograph measuring of a zeppelin’s bow (which I cannot identify). It appears similar in some ways to the Sachsen, but differences can be noted. $30.00

 

 

 

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40-411 MATTED PHOTOGRAPH - TWO BALLOONS - PRE WW I. This is a matted photograph that depicts two balloons. The matted photograph measures 6 1/4" x 7 3/4." The actual photograph housed within the matting measures 4" x 5 3/4." A large group of men is watching the proceedings on what appears to be a testing field. The date 19 April 1901 appears at the matte’s bottom. $75.00

 

 

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40-412 MATTED PHOTOGRAPH - BALLOON - PRE WW I. This is a matted photograph that depicts one balloon. The matted photograph measures 8 1/4" x 6." The actual photograph housed within the matting measures 5" x 3 1/8." A large group of army officers is gathered around the balloon’s gondola. The photograph dates from early in the 20^th Century. $75.00

 

 

 

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40-413 THREE-PHOTOGRAPH SET - EARLY ZEPPELIN. This is a three-photograph set that shows an early zeppelin as it readies for flight. A name is written on each photograph ‘s reverse, which looks like "Lachmüller," or something similar.

*Nr 1. The photograph measures 4 3/4" x 5 1/4." The zeppelin is tethered to the ground, while its small gondola is on the ground allowing passengers to embark. A large group of military officers and ground crew is on the airfield.

*Nr 2. The photograph measures 4 3/4" x 6 1/4." The zeppelin has just lifted off. The gondola is under it, while the ground crew and observers are watching it take off.

*Nr 3. The photograph measures 6 1/4" x 4 1/2." The zeppelin is in full flight, perhaps 100-200 meters above the ground. Some smoke or a wisp of fog is right under the zeppelin. I do not know or understand its cause, unless it is related to a factory smoke stack in the background.

This is a fine grouping of a very early zeppelin as it goes from being readied for flight, to launch, and to actual flight. $125.00

 

 

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40-414 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH - ZEPPELIN SACHSEN - HANGER. This is an ORIGINAL photograph that measures 3 1/4" x 4 1/2." It depicts the pre WW I zeppelin "Sachsen." She was placed in service in May 1913. Before WW I began, she transported nearly 10,000 people. Once the war started, she was placed in the Army’s service and became known as the LZ 17. She participated in bombing raids, then was retired from service in 1916. She is shown in her hanger prior to being wheeled out and launched. $50.00

 

 

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40-415 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH - ZEPPELIN SACHSEN OUTSIDE - HANGER. This is an ORIGINAL photograph that measures  3 1/4" x 4 1/2." It depicts the pre WW I zeppelin "Sachsen." She was placed in service in May 1913. Before WW I began, she transported nearly 10,000 people. Once the war started, she was placed in the Army’s service and became known as the LZ 17. She participated in bombing raids, then was retired from service in 1916. She is shown outside her hanger, with a large number of people gathered around her. $50.00

 

 

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40-416 LARGE-FORMAT PHOTOGRAPH - HANGER - MECHANICS - ZEPPELIN ENGINES. This is a large-format photograph that measures 6 1/2" x 9." It shows several mechanics working on zeppelins’ engine assemblies. The action is taking place in a large hanger. $50.00

 

 

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40-417 LARGE-FORMAT PHOTOGRAPH - AERIAL VIEW - SAXON FELDLUFTSCHIFFER-ABTEILUNG. This is a large-format photograph that measures 6 1/4" x 6 1/4." It is an aerial photograph from approximately 1,000 meters. It shows a town in the foreground. On the reverse it is unit stamped for 2. Königl. Sächs. Feldluftschiffer-Abteilung Nr 32. It is pencil-dated 18 March 1918. The area’s or city’s name is added in pencil as well. $40.00

 

 

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40-418 LARGE-FORMAT PHOTOGRAPH - ZEPPELIN ENGINE. This is a large-format photograph that measures 6 1/2" x 8 3/4." It shows a zeppelin engine that has been removed from the airship. $30.00

 

 

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40-419 LARGE-FORMAT PHOTOGRAPH - ZEPPELIN ENGINE. This is a large-format photograph that measures 6 1/2" x 8 3/4." It shows a zeppelin engine that has been removed from the airship. $30.00

 

 

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40-420 LARGE-FORMAT PHOTOGRAPH - ZEPPELIN ENGINE. This is a large-format photograph that measures 6 1/2" x 8 3/4." It shows a zeppelin engine that has been removed from the airship. $30.00

 

 

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21-150 LARGE FORMAT POSTAGE STAMP - LZ-127 GRAF ZEPPELIN - OVER ROMANIA’S CAPITAL. This is a single large postage stamp from Romania, which commemorates the LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin. The stamp measures a whopping 2 3/4" x 3 1/4." It is dated 16 October 1929. It is multicolored and shows the Graf Zeppelin in profile over a city that I presume to be Bucharest. The stamp, which was printed for collectors, bears a serial number of 078062. It is in excellent condition, and has been preserved in a plastic holder. $35.00  

 

 

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21-151 THREE POSTAGE STAMP SET - EARLY ZEPPELINS - REPUBLIC OF VOLTA. This is a set of three postage stamps commemorating the early zeppelins. The set includes the following:

 

*A 10 Franc stamp that shows the Zeppelin "Deutschland" flying over a German town. The stamp measures 1 1/2" x 2 1/2." It has been cancelled, and is in a plastic holder. It is in excellent condition.

*A 40 Franc stamp that shows the Zeppelin "Viktoria Luise" flying over five sailboats. The stamp measures 1 1/2" x 2 1/2." It has been cancelled and is in a plastic holder. It is in excellent condition.

*A 50 Franc stamp that shows the Zeppelin "Sachsen." The stamp measures 1 1/2" x 2 1/2." It has been cancelled, and is in a plastic holder. It is in excellent condition.

This full-color trio of stamps is in excellent condition. $50.00  

 

 

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21-152 LARGE FORMAT POSTAGE STAMP - GRAF ZEPPELIN - REPUBLIC DE COTE D’IVOIRE. This is a deluxe postage stamp that was issued by the Republique De Cote D’Ivoire(Ivory Coast) in 1977. The stamp is for 500 Francs. The stamp itself measures 1 1/4" x 1 1/2." It shows the Graf Zeppelin in profile over a city. The stamp is in full color. The stamp is part of a larger display that shows an early zeppelin along with "Retrospective Zeppelin." The overall size of the display of the Graf Zeppelin measures 3 3/4" x 5 1/2." $40.00  

 

 

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21-153 PLATE BLOCK - FOUR STAMPS - HUNGARY - EXPLORING AVIATION ERAS. This is a plate block of four stamps, showing various eras in the history of aviation. They were issued for Aerofila in 1967 by Hungary. The four stamps showcase Man and his early efforts in Aviation. The plate block is very decorative. Its overall measurements are 3 3/4" x 5." Each stamp measures 1 3/4" x 1 1/8." $35.00  

 

 

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21-174 THREE-STAMP SET - ZEPPELINS - REPUBLIC OF MALAGASY. These large-format stamps each show a zeppelin in flight, along with a small, inset depiction of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin. One zeppelin flies over the Egyptian Pyramids, another over Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, and the third over London). The three represent different denominations. All were cancelled in the 1970's. $25.00  

 

 

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21-154 BLOCK - EIGHT STAMPS - SPAIN - ZEPPELIN. This is a block of eight stamps, featuring a zeppelin from Spain. All are attached and a part of a unit.  $25.00  

 

 

 

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21-155 SET - TWO STAMPS - GRAF FERDINAND von ZEPPELIN AND ZEPPELINS - GERMAN BUNDESPOST. These stamps commemorate the life of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin (1838-1917) and his gentle giants, the zeppelins. The stamps are in full color. They were issued in 1992. It is a pair of connected, mint stamps. We have two pairs of them. They are priced at $15.00 per pair or $25.00 for both.  

 

 

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21-157 SPECIAL DISPLAY CARD - GRAF ZEPPELIN POSTAGE STAMP - GERMANY. This is a most interesting display card which shows the Zeppelin LZ 4 over Mannheim on 4 August 1908. It has a postage stamp showing Ferdinand Graf Zeppelin and one of his zeppelins. It also proclaims that the stamp was issued by the Deutsche Luftpost and cost 3 Reichs Marks. This stamp may come from the Third Reich era. I believe Marks in Germany after 1945 were referred to as Deutsche Marks (D-Marks). The card measures 4 1/4" x 6," while the stamp itself measures 1" x 1 1/4." This collector’s card is serial numbered on the reverse. $30.00  

 

 

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21-158 SPECIAL DISPLAY CARD - GRAF ZEPPELIN (LZ-127) POSTAGE STAMP - NIGER. This is an interesting display card showing the Graf Zeppelin (LZ-127) flying over a mountain. The large-format postage stamp measures 4 1/8" x 5." It is for 500 Francs from the République du Niger. The stamp has a special cancellation, dated 1976. The display card measures 1 1/2" x 2 1/2." It shows the many cities the Graf Zeppelin visited on her world voyages. Included are Rio de Janeiro, Cairo, London, Séville, Spain, Rome, Berlin, New York, and Tokyo. $25.00  

 

 

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21-159 SPECIAL DISPLAY CARD - FOUR POSTAGE STAMP PLATE - INTERNATIONAL AVIATION - NORWAY. This is an attractive display card showing four different aviation scenes. Each of the four stamps measures 1 1/4" x 1 1/2." The stamps are for 1.25 Kroner, 2.00 Kroner, 2.80 Kroner, and 4.00 Kroner from Norway. The display card measures 3 3/4" x 4 1/2." It was issued for a special philatic display that took place in Oslo, Norway, 13-22 June 1980. Sets like this are quite popular with stamp collectors. They were never sold for use on everyday mail. $20.00  

 

 

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21-160 PAIR POSTAGE STAMPS - EARLY AIRSHIP - SWITZERLAND. This is a lovely pair of postage stamps showing an early style airship. Each stamp measures 1" x 1 1/2," and is for .90 Swiss Francs from Switzerland. The stamp has a special cancellation, dated 1980. This was done especially for stamp collectors. The stamps are mounted on a piece of paper. Both the stamps and the paper have been cancelled. It is a very attractive piece. $15.00  

 

 

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21-161 POSTAGE STAMP - GRAF ZEPPELIN AND EARLY ZEPPELIN - 75^th ANNIVERSARY FIRST ZEPPELIN FLIGHT(1902-1977) - GRENADA. This is a postage stamp showing Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin and his first zeppelin, which flew in 1902. This postage stamp from Grenada celebrates the 75^th anniversary of the first zeppelin flight. The stamp, which has not been cancelled, is for ½ Cent. $5.00  

 

 

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21-162 THREE POSTAGE STAMP SET - 75^th ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST ZEPPELIN FLIGHT(1902-1977) - NICARAGUA. This is a set of three postage stamps from Nicaragua, celebrating the 75^th anniversary of the first zeppelin flight. The first stamp, which as a value of one cent, shows a zeppelin in its hanger. The second stamp has a value of two cents, and shows the Graf Zeppelin in the sky. The third and final stamp has a value of three cents, and shows a very early airship. $20.00  

 

 

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21-175 THREE-STAMP SET - ZEPPELINS - REPUBLIC OF MALAGASY. This three-stamp set, while similar to the set listed above, displays different scenes. The denominations also are different. These large-format stamps each show a zeppelin in flight, along with a small, inset depiction of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin. One zeppelin flies over New York, another over South America, and the third over Tokyo.) The three represent different denominations. All were cancelled in the 1970's. $25.00  

 

 

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21-176 THREE-STAMP SET - ZEPPELINS - REPUBLIC OF VOLTA. This series of three, large-format postage stamps, each measuring 1 1/2" x 2 1/2," comes from the Republic of Volta. They are quite colorful and show detailed images of the zeppelins on their various cruises. Especially noteworthy is the stamp that shows the LZ 129 (Hindenburg) displaying the 1936 Berlin Olympics Rings on her side. Another shows an outstanding view of the Graf Zeppelin flying right at you. The stamps all show different scenes. They are of three different denominations. $25.00  

 

 

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21-177 SINGLE STAMP - ZEPPELIN - REPUBLIC OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA. This is a special commemorative stamp that was issued in 1974. It shows a zeppelin on the ground, with passengers embarking on a flight. The stamp was also issued to celebrate the 100^th anniversary (1874-1974) of the Universal Postal Union. The postage stamp has been cancelled in the corner.  $10.00  

 

 

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21-178 SINGLE POSTAGE STAMP - GRAF ZEPPELIN - GAMBIA. This colorful postage stamp from Gambia commemorates the anniversary of air services to Africa (1934-1969). It shows the Graf Zeppelin flying over an African map. The stamp also shows Lufthansa’s logo. The stamp is mint. It measures 1 1/4" x 2." $10.00   

 

 

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21-179 FOUR-STAMP SET - EARLY AVIATION - HUNGARY. This is a special edition of four connected stamps that were all cancelled for use by a stamp collector. The stamps were issued by Hungary and postmarked Budapest. Each of the four scenes shows a different time in aviation history. $15.00  

 

 

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21-180 TWO POSTAGE STAMPS - EARLY AIR MAIL AIRPLANE - LIECHTENSTEIN. This is a two-stamp set from the tiny country of Liechtenstein. They commemorate the first Air Mail Service out from Liechtenstein (God knows, they certainly did not need air mail service within Liechtenstein)! This took place in 1930 (the U. S.’s Air Mail Service began about 1918). The 1979 stamp commemorates the fact. The two stamps are identical in denomination. They only differ in that one bears a cancellation, and the other is mint. $10.00  

 

 

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21-182 SPECIAL EDITION STAMP HONORING LZ-127 - REPUBLIC CONGO. This is a special stamp issued for stamp collectors. It features a large color image of the LZ-127, attached to a special card. It comes from the Republic of the Congo. $20.00  

 

 

 

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21-183 BLOCK FOUR AVIATION-RELATED POSTAGE STAMPS - HUNGARY. This is a block of four aviation-related postage stamps from Hungary. Each is different. All were issued for stamp collectors in honor of the VII. Postal Congress held in Budapest in 1967. $15.00  

 

 

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21-184 SPECIAL EDITION - STAMPS HONORING THREE AVIATION PIONEERS - WEST GERMANY. This is a special group of three stamps issued for stamp collectors. It was offered in 1977 at a Berlin postal convention. It features stories of three aviation pioneers: Graf von Zeppelin, Hermann Oberth, and Hans Grade. They are attached to a special card. $20.00  

 

 

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21-185 BLOCK TWENTY POSTAGE STAMPS - GRAF ZEPPELIN - 1931 FLIGHT - LIECHTENSTEIN. This is a block of twenty, mint-condition, 1979, Liechtenstein, postage stamps. The stamps honor the Graf Zeppelin’s flight over the tiny principality in 1931. This set of stamps was produced specially for postage stamp collectors. $30.00  

 

 

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21-186 BLOCK TWENTY POSTAGE STAMPS - EARLY AVIATION - LIECHTENSTEIN. This is a block of twenty mint-condition postage stamps from 1979 in Liechtenstein. The stamps honor early aviation in that country. This set of stamps was produced specially for postage stamp collectors. $25.00  

 

 

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21-47 XLL ZEPPELIN CIGARETTE CASE. This is a very high-quality cigarette case that has a full-sized Commemorative Airship Badge on the front. Also on the front of the case are the initials "HS," engraved in the upper left corner. There are some designs engraved into the exterior of the cigarette case. On the catch the case is marked Alpaca, which denotes that the makeup of the case is essentially nickel(German silver). Both elastic keepers in the interior of the case are present. The case has a nice patina to it. Overall, it is in fine condition. $1,050.00 Reduced to $950.00!!

 

 

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21-17 ZEPPELIN OCTAGONAL BRONZE MEDALLION. This medallion is identical to the example described above, with the exception that the ribbon is white and red, and the medallion is bronze. A safety pin is also present to attach the medallion to garment. Very attractive condition. $250.00 .

 

 

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21-12 AIRSHIP HINDENBURG/AMERICAN AIRLINES METAL PLAQUE. This is a REPRODUCTION of a period metal plaque which portrays the Airship Hindenburg and an American Airlines DC-3. American Airlines had connecting service with the Hindenburg, which enabled passengers to travel on to Europe. This plaque was manufactured in the 1990's and is NOT an original piece. $125.00.

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14-103 DEUTSCHE LUFTFAHRER ZEITSCHRIFT. This was a magazine that was published in Germany before WW I which dealt with Zeppelins. It is a large format magazine that has numerous articles about Zeppelins and their development in Germany during this period. There are numerous photos and there is also a great deal of advertising that I find very interesting. Some of the advertising includes motors from Mercedes-Benz, aircraft and flying lessons from Ago, etc. These magazines are professionally done very slick and would be a unique addition to a Zeppelin collection. I have two different issues which are December 1912 and April 1914. Each magazine is $60.00

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21-15 ZEPPELINS AGAINST LONDON by KENNETH POOLMAN. This is a U.S. 1^st edition of this book, which was originally published in London. This edition was published in 1961 and is long out of print. The book, which is liberally illustrated, deals with the German "Blitz" of WW I. This was carried out by zeppelins instead of the fixed wing aircraft and rockets used during WW II. Much consternation was stirred up in England when the zeppelin attacks began. This book chronicles both the German raids and the English efforts to defeat them. The books makes excellent reading for those with an interest in zeppelins. It is in excellent condition with no dust jacket. The book is seldom seen. This copy comes directly from my library. $90.00

 

 

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21-243 ZEPPELIN DINNERWARE - EGG CUP. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. You may have seen variations on Zeppelin tableware in the past, but this is even more unusual. This is an egg cup (commonly used today in Germany, as Germans still enjoy soft-boiled eggs!). The cup measures 2" in height, 2" in diameter, and 1 ½" in diameter at its base. The cup’s exterior displays "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circling a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. Now, here is where it differs from the ordinary. On its opposite side is a blue oval, enclosing the gold initials "WB." Bavarian Heinrich and Company’s hallmark appears on the cup’s bottom. They produced the Zeppelin Company’s tableware. Certain important families who frequently flew by zeppelin had their own tableware, which was reserved for their exclusive onboard use. We were told this set belonged to Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin’s daughter, Helene (Hella) von Zeppelin (1879–1967) who married Alexander Graf von Brandenstein-Zeppelin (1881–1949) in 1909. I am told they had a financial interest in the company after Graf von Zeppelin’s death in 1914 (she was his only child). $895.00TA

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21-000 ZEPPELIN DINNERWARE - EGG CUP. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. You may have seen variations on Zeppelin tableware in the past, but this is even more unusual. This is an egg cup (commonly used today in Germany, as Germans still enjoy soft-boiled eggs!). The cup measures 2" in height, 2" in diameter, and 1 ½" in diameter at its base. The cup’s exterior displays "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circling a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. Now, here is where it differs from the ordinary. On its opposite side is a blue oval, enclosing the gold initials "WB." Bavarian Heinrich and Company’s hallmark appears on the cup’s bottom. They produced the Zeppelin Company’s tableware. Certain important families who frequently flew by zeppelin had their own tableware, which was reserved for their exclusive onboard use. We were told this set belonged to Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin’s daughter, Helene (Hella) von Zeppelin (1879–1967) who married Alexander Graf von Brandenstein-Zeppelin (1881–1949) in 1909. I am told they had a financial interest in the company after Graf von Zeppelin’s death in 1914 (she was his only child). $895.00TA

 

 

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21-244 ZEPPELIN DINNERWARE SALAD PLATE. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations on Zeppelin tableware in the past, but this is even more unusual. Today we are offering you a salad plate. The plate measures 8" in diameter. It displays a wide gold trim band encircling a narrow blue band. Further within it is another very narrow gold trim band. On the plate’s bottom the words "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circle a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. Now, here is where it differs from the ordinary. On its opposite side is a blue oval, enclosing the gold initials "WB." Bavarian Heinrich and Company’s hallmark appears on the cup’s bottom. They produced the Zeppelin Company’s tableware.
We were told this set belonged to Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin’s daughter, Helene (Hella) von Zeppelin (1879–1967) who married Alexander Graf von Brandenstein-Zeppelin (1881–1949) in 1909. I am told they had a financial interest in the company after Graf von Zeppelin’s death in 1914 (she was his only child). $1,250.00TA

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21-245 ZEPPELIN DINNERWARE BREAD PLATE. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations on Zeppelin tableware in the past, but this is even more unusual. Today we are offering you a salad plate. The plate measures 6 1/4" in diameter. It displays a wide gold trim band encircling a narrow blue band. Further within it is another very narrow gold trim band. On the plate’s bottom the words "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circle a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. Now, here is where it differs from the ordinary. On its opposite side is a blue oval, enclosing the gold initials "WB." Bavarian Heinrich and Company’s hallmark appears on the cup’s bottom. They produced the Zeppelin Company’s tableware.
We were told this set belonged to Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin’s daughter, Helene (Hella) von Zeppelin (1879–1967) who married Alexander Graf von Brandenstein-Zeppelin (1881–1949) in 1909. I am told they had a financial interest in the company after Graf von Zeppelin’s death in 1914 (she was his only child). $1,095.00TA

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21-246 ZEPPELIN DINNERWARE BREAD PLATE. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations on Zeppelin tableware in the past, but this is even more unusual. Today we are offering you a salad plate. The plate measures 6 1/4" in diameter. It displays a wide gold trim band encircling a narrow blue band. Further within it is another very narrow gold trim band. On the plate’s bottom the words "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circle a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. Now, here is where it differs from the ordinary. On its opposite side is a blue oval, enclosing the gold initials "WB." Bavarian Heinrich and Company’s hallmark appears on the cup’s bottom. They produced the Zeppelin Company’s tableware.
We were told this set belonged to Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin’s daughter, Helene (Hella) von Zeppelin (1879–1967) who married Alexander Graf von Brandenstein-Zeppelin (1881–1949) in 1909. I am told they had a financial interest in the company after Graf von Zeppelin’s death in 1914 (she was his only child). $1,095.00TA

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21-02 ZEPPELIN CIGARETTE CARD ALBUM VOLUME 1. The Zeppelin cigarette card albums were among the most popular of all of the cigarette card albums produced in the 1930's. These cards were included with packs of cigarettes as a premium. Those who wanted the entire series at once could get a complete album. This is volume 1 of the three volume series. It has 265 cards that show various scenes of zeppelin flight and history. Volume 1 features pre-WW I and WW I zeppelin scenes and information. It also is very heavy on the first commercial post-WW I Airship, the Graf Zeppelin. We have two of these remaining. One is complete but has a bit of water-staining on the cover that is $175.00. The other album has FIVE  missing (the missing cards are numbers 19, 72,163, 172, and 218) cards and is offered for $125.00

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21-216 ZEPPELIN DINNER PLATE. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past that was used by passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a dinner plate. The plate measures 10" in diameter. It displays a wide gold trim band. Inside of that is a narrow blue band. Further within it is another very narrow gold trim band. On the bottom of the plate the words "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circle a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. This is where the plate gets different. At the top is a blue oval and inside of which are the letters "WB." Why is this different from the conventional plates? Certain important people or families had their own tableware which they used during zeppelin voyages. A daughter of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a lead on the family’s name. This family may or may not have had a financial interest in the company. On the reverse is hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. The plate’s condition is excellent. $1,395.00TA

 

 

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21-217 ZEPPELIN DINNER PLATE. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past that was used by passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a dinner plate. The plate measures 10" in diameter. It displays a wide gold trim band. Inside of that is a narrow blue band. Further within it is another very narrow gold trim band. On the bottom of the plate the words "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circle a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. This is where the plate gets different. At the top is a blue oval and inside of which are the letters "WB." Why is this different from the conventional plates? Certain important people or families had their own tableware which they used during zeppelin voyages. A daughter of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a lead on the family’s name. This family may or may not have had a financial interest in the company. On the reverse is hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. The plate’s condition is excellent. $1,395.00TA

 

 

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21-218 ZEPPELIN SOUP BOWL. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past that was used by passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a soup bowl. The soup bowl measures 9 3/4" in diameter. It also measures 1 1/2" deep. It displays a wide gold trim band. Inside of that is a narrow blue band. Further within it is another very narrow gold trim band. On the bottom of the soup bowl the words "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circle a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. This is where the soup bowl gets different. At the top is a blue oval and inside of which are the letters "WB." Why is this different from the conventional plates? Certain important people or families had their own tableware which they used during zeppelin voyages. A daughter of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a lead on the family’s name. This family may or may not have had a financial interest in the company. On the reverse is hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. The bowl’s condition is excellent. $1,395.00TA

 

 

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21-219 ZEPPELIN SALAD PLATE. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past that was used by passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a salad plate. The plate measures 8" in diameter. It displays a wide gold trim band. Inside of that is a narrow blue band. Further within it is another very narrow gold trim band. On the bottom of the plate the words "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circle a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. This is where the plate gets different. At the top is a blue oval and inside of which are the letters "WB." Why is this different from the conventional plates? Certain important people or families had their own tableware which they used during zeppelin voyages. A daughter of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a lead on the family’s name. This family may or may not have had a financial interest in the company. On the reverse is hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. The plate’s condition is excellent. $1,250.00TA

 

 

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21-220 ZEPPELIN SALAD PLATE. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past that was used by passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a salad plate. The plate measures 8" in diameter. It displays a wide gold trim band. Inside of that is a narrow blue band. Further within it is another very narrow gold trim band. On the bottom of the plate the words "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circle a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. This is where the plate gets different. At the top is a blue oval and inside of which are the letters "WB." Why is this different from the conventional plates? Certain important people or families had their own tableware which they used during zeppelin voyages. A daughter of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a lead on the family’s name. This family may or may not have had a financial interest in the company. On the reverse is hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. A couple of small sections of the blue band have what I term some scuffing or wear. We have reduced the price of the plate to allow for that small fault. $1,150.00TA

 

 

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21-221 ZEPPELIN BREAD PLATE. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past that was used by passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a bread plate. The plate measures 6 1/4" in diameter. It displays a wide gold trim band. Inside of that is a narrow blue band. Further within it is another very narrow gold trim band. On the bottom of the plate the words "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei" circle a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. This is where the plate gets different. At the top is a blue oval and inside of which are the letters "WB." Why is this different from the conventional plates? Certain important people or families had their own tableware which they used during zeppelin voyages. A daughter of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a lead on the family’s name. This family may or may not have had a financial interest in the company. On the reverse is hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. A small chip appears on the edge. It is more visible from the bottom of the plate than from the top. We have reduced the price of the plate to allow for that small fault. $1,095.00TA

 

 

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21-225 ZEPPELIN SALAD PLATE.  Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past used by the passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a handsome salad plate. The salad plate is elegant with a wide gold trim band around the rim. Immediately below that is a narrower blue trim band. The plate measures 8" in diameter. On the exterior of the salad plate we see "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei," which circles a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. Now, here is where it differs from what we generally see. On its opposite side is a blue oval, and in gold we see the initials "WB." Certain important families who flew often on zeppelins had their own tableware, which was used only by them when aboard a zeppelin. A daughter of Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a firm lead on the family name, but I was told that they had a financial interest in the Zeppelin Company. On the salad plate’s bottom, we see hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. The salad plate is in superb condition. $1,250.00TA

 

 

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21-226 ZEPPELIN SERVING BOWL. Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past used by the passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a magnificent square serving bowl. The serving bowl is striking, with a wide, gold, trim band at the rim. Immediately below that is a narrower blue trim band. The serving bowl measures 8" x 8." It also stands 2" tall. In the bowl’s bottom we see "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei," which circles a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. Now, here is where it differs from what we generally see. On its opposite side is a blue oval, and in gold we see the initials "WB." Certain important families who flew often on zeppelins had their own tableware, which was used only by them when aboard a zeppelin. A daughter of Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a firm lead on the family name, but I was told that they had a financial interest in the Zeppelin Company. On the serving bowl’s bottom, we see hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. The serving bowl is in superb condition. $1,495.00TA

 

 

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21-227 ZEPPELIN COFFEE CUP & SAUCER.  Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past used by the passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a glorious coffee cup and saucer. The cup is elegant, with a wide, gold, trim band at the rim. Immediately below that is a narrower blue trim band. In the cup’s bowl we see "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei," which circles a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. Now, here is where it differs from what we generally see. On its opposite side is a blue oval, and in gold we see the initials "WB." On the cup’s bottom, we see hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. The saucer measures 6" in diameter. It has the same gold and blue trim and previously noted imprinting on the obverse as the cup. This also follows for the reverse, with the manufacturer’s hallmarking. Certain important families who flew often on zeppelins had their own tableware, which was used only by them when aboard a zeppelin. A daughter of Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a firm lead on the family name, but I was told that they had a financial interest in the Zeppelin Company. Both the cup and saucer are in excellent condition. $1,695.00TA

 

 

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21-228 ZEPPELIN EGG CUP.  Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past used by the passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a marvelous egg cup. [From my travels to Germany I can tell you that even today Germans enjoy soft-boiled eggs with their breakfast. At our hotels’ breakfast buffets, we always see soft-boiled eggs and small egg cups to accommodate them]. The cup is elegant, with a wide, gold, trim band at the rim. Immediately below that is a narrower blue trim band. The cup measures 2" in height, 2" in diameter, and 1 1/2" in diameter at its base. On the cup’s exterior we see "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei," which circles a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. Now, here is where it differs from what we generally see. On its opposite side is a blue oval, and in gold we see the initials "WB." On the cup’s bottom, we see hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. Certain important families who flew often on zeppelins had their own tableware, which was used only by them when aboard a zeppelin. A daughter of Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a firm lead on the family name, but I was told that they had a financial interest in the Zeppelin Company. The egg cup is in superb condition. $895.00TA

 

 

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21-229 ZEPPELIN EGG CUP.  Zeppelin tableware is very prized among collectors. Today we have something quite unusual to offer you. You may have seen variations of this in the past used by the passengers aboard the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg. Today we are offering you a marvelous egg cup. [From my travels to Germany I can tell you that even today Germans enjoy soft-boiled eggs with their breakfast. At our hotels’ breakfast buffets, we always see soft-boiled eggs and small egg cups to accommodate them]. The cup is elegant, with a wide, gold, trim band at the rim. Immediately below that is a narrower blue trim band. The cup measures 2" in height, 2" in diameter, and 1 1/2" in diameter at its base. On the cup’s exterior we see "Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei," which circles a globe. Inside the globe is a zeppelin. Now, here is where it differs from what we generally see. On its opposite side is a blue oval, and in gold we see the initials "WB." On the cup’s bottom, we see hallmarking for Heinrich and Company in Bavaria, who produced the tableware for the Zeppelin Company. Certain important families who flew often on zeppelins had their own tableware, which was used only by them when aboard a zeppelin. A daughter of Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin married into a family whose last name ended in "B." I do not have a firm lead on the family name, but I was told that they had a financial interest in the Zeppelin Company. The egg cup is in superb condition. $895.00TA

 

 

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21-279 WAR PATROL (KRIEGSTAGEBUCH) DOCUMENT & DETAILED MAP FROM BATTLE BETWEEN NAVY ZEPPELIN L. 43 & HMAS CRUISER SYDNEY. This is a consignment item from one of the world’s best-known zeppelin collectors. The fascinating document (kriegstagebuch) and map set represents one of WW I’s more unusual aerial/naval engagements. It describes (from the Germans’ standpoint) an engagement between British ships and a Kaiserliche Marine Zeppelin! Although the event did not add to either navy’s score, it presaged what would become important when airplanes engaged naval vessels during WW II. This action ushered in a new era of combat. WW I had many combat firsts: the first time one airplane shot down another; the first submarine warfare; and the first tank deployment. As important as were these three examples, the beginning of aerial combat with surface ships ranks equally high.
First, let us consider ANY naval zeppelin combat report’s rarity. Some eight-to-ten years ago, I offered and sold a very basic zeppelin combat report. It was little more than a routine combat patrol, with no engagement of other vessels, or bombing of English cities. Basically, it was a routine account from a less-than-famous zeppelin, which sold for more than $4,000! Our current offering’s zeppelin Nr. L. 43 has a much more distinguished (although quite short) history.
The format for our report and map is the same style as that used by the Imperial German Navy for submarines and surface vessels. The document measures 8 1/2" x 13 1/4," while the map measures 18" x 24 3/4."  Its front cover is stamped in red "Geheim" (Secret). Typed neatly we see:
                                                                "Kriegstagebuch des Marineluftschiffs L. 43
                                                                                        vom 4. Mai 1917.
                                                                  Kommandant: Kapitänleutnant Kraushaar"
Inside the report are three and a fraction neatly-typed pages that describe the historic action’s minute-by-minute and hour-by-hour events in detail. A few penciled-in notes appear alongside the typed account. The zeppelin commander’s signature appears at the report’s conclusion, as well as that of his wachoffizier and second-in-command.
The map is larger than most naval maps that I have seen accompany combat reports. It is amazingly detailed. The action is neatly plotted so that one easily can follow the zeppelin’s movements as it works its way through the engagement. By laying the map and report side-by-side, their new owner can follow the action’s details from the time the zeppelin takes off until it returns to its station.

The Action’s Historical Data - 5 May 1917

A British ship squadron of two light cruisers and four destroyers was on patrol in the waters off Scotland. A suspicious vessel (which proved to be a neutral Dutch fishing boat) was observed at about 1000 hours. Part of the English Squadron was detached to investigate the unknown vessel’s character. At about 1025 hours, an airship (the L. 43) was observed some 27 kilometers distant. The two light cruisers, H. M. A. S. Sydney and H. M. S. Dublin, pursued the airship. At the same time, one of the destroyers pursuing the Dutch ship encountered two German submarines. The destroyer immediately dropped depth charges on the U-Boots, then joined the two light cruisers in chasing the zeppelin. The lead ship in this engagement was H. M. A. S. Sydney. [She and H. M. S. Dublin were sister ships of the Light Cruiser Town Class, which had been launched in 1912 and commissioned in 1913]. The British attempted to circle the L. 43 with the four destroyers, while H. M. A. S. Sydney took on the German Zeppelin. The British cruisers fired their antiaircraft cannons until all their shells were expended during the engagement. In turn, the Germans dropped all of their bombs. Although some bombs came as near as ten meters, they scored no direct hits. Since the bombs fell so close to the cruisers, their shrapnel did hit the British ships.
With all weapons expended, the battle was a draw. [We should note that the L. 43 was forced to a greater altitude due to the antiaircraft fire, which caused her bomb attack to be less accurate]. During the course of the engagement, the German commander reportedly called to another zeppelin for assistance. A second airship was seen at about 1300 hours but it did not join the fray. The battle was terminated at 1430 hours.
Thus, the first aerial engagement between a navy vessel and a zeppelin came to an end. While zeppelins did not play a major role in WW II, this action, along with General William "Billy" Mitchell’s 1921 demonstration of bombing a battleship by airplane, showed oceangoing ships’ vulnerability to aerial attacks. This was firmly proved on 7 December 1941, when much of the U.S. Pacific Fleet was destroyed at anchor by Japanese aircraft launched from six aircraft carriers. The lesson was repeated over and over during WW II’s Pacific battles. Instead of battleships leading the fleet, it became the aircraft carriers’ job. All other naval surface ships were relegated to protecting the carriers.

History of the L. 43

The L.43 was one of the Kaiserliche Marine’s later zeppelins to be launched during WW I. Her first flight was during March 1917. Her fateful "date" with H. M. A. S Sydney was 4 May 1917. She flew a total of six combat patrols between March and June 1917. Along with her famous action of 5 May 1917, she was sent on a mission to bomb England’s docks. Her final engagement was on 14 June 1917, when she was shot down with all hands by an English flying boat.
While numerous reports exist about the action, this is THE definitive report from the two highest-ranking German officers who were present. Both men were dead barely six weeks later, which naturally prevented them from writing more about their participation after the event. This is an extremely rare and extensive report. If you are a serious zeppelin collector, this surely will become a highlight of your collection. $8,495.00PN

 

 

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Patriotic Jewelry Nr 2: Pins	Postcards Nr 38:Imperial German Royalty- Kaiser Wilhelm I and Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria ONLY
Postcards Nr 40: Photo Albums, Original, Framed & Cabinet Photographs, and Cartes Des Viste (CdV's).	Postcards Nr 42:Imperial German Air Service and All Aviation-Related.
Postcards Nr 43:Imperial German Armed Service and All Army-Related.	Postcards Nr 44:Kaiserliche Marine and All Navy-Related.
Postcards Nr 45:Other Imperial German, Central Powers, & Allied Powers Royalty and Nobility	Ranglistes: Imperial German Army & Navy and other Imperial German References on CD
Royalty & Nobility (Imperial German): Personality Items, Swords & Daggers,  Portraits, Memorabilia	Shoulder Boards
Signed Photos, Documents & Autographs of the German Military, Nobility and Royalty	Stickpins
Swords & Edged Weapons	Table Medals
Uniforms & Related Accessories	Vivat Ribbons
Wooden Display Products (Helmet & Visor Stands)	Zeppelin & Balloon Memorabilia

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