Description:

Graf Zeppelin
[Washington, D.C.], ca. 1928
Damaged Graf Zeppelin Photograph Over Washington Ca. 1928, Prob. Type I, Foreshadowing Disaster
Photograph

A vintage, black and white photograph depicting the Graf Zeppelin flying over Washington, D.C. during its first trans-Atlantic flight. 1p, measuring 5" x 7", n.p. [Washington, D.C.], ca. 1928. Docketed on the verso, reads in full: "'Graf Zeppelin' over 17 & G Sts N.W./ Monday Oct. 15, 1928./ Altitude 2090 feet./ Completed from another exposure made first after this one- taken vertically./ E. A. Shuster Jr." Exhibits expected silvering to lower left corner, with marginal surface creasing throughout. Edges are lightly curled. Otherwise, very good.

Ernest Alvin Shuster (1853-1934) was a Washington native who served as a photographer of the U.S. Geographical Survey in 1909.

By the time Graf Zeppelin passed over Washington that day in October, she was already 105 hours into its first trans-Atlantic passenger flight, a duration that was only a few hours short of the record for airships at the time. The flight had not been entirely trouble-free, as it was necessary for riggers to climb out on the outside of the ship to repair storm damage midway across the Atlantic. In spite of this, its captain, Hugo Eckener, delayed the landing in New Jersey a little longer by having the ship circle over the Capitol. An article from The Washington Post published on October 26, 1928, notably described the scene in part:

"Washington first saluted the Graf Zeppelin at 12:21 when she approached from the east over the Capitol. As she circled above the Government buildings, sharp-eyed naval experts noticed the hole in her port stabilizer- the rent that had caused the anxiety last Saturday."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5" x 7"
  • Medium: Photograph

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