Description:

Graf Zeppelin



Graf Zeppelin Original Fabric Swatch from 1928 1st Intercontinental Flight, with Outstanding Provenance

 

An unusual fabric swatch from the LZ 127, or Graf Zeppelin, retrieved by airship commander Dr. Hugo Eckener (1868-1954) and gifted by him to pioneering female passenger Clara Adams (1884-1971) in late October 1928. The 1" x .875" swatch of metallic finished fabric is housed in a transparent mount at the center of a signed Letter of Authenticity, circa 1987-1989. Near fine. The 8.5" x 11" L.O.A. is double hole punched at left.

 

A reproduction of the original handwritten provenance letter found among Clara Adams's effects is found above the swatch at the center of the Letter of Authenticity. Adams's original inscription read: "Original fabric of the outer covering. 'Graf Zeppelin' Clara Adams only woman passenger - 64 men - 1928 across the Atlantic Dr. Hugo Eckener's gift."

 

Clara Adams was the only female passenger aboard the Graf Zeppelin during its October 29-November 1, 1928 return flight from Lakehurst, New Jersey to Friedrichshafen, Germany. Adams had paid $3,000 for her ticket, the equivalent of over $43,000 in 2019 currency. Adams, a frequent and enthusiastic passenger, did much to legitimize early air travel. She has been called the "Forrest Gump of aviation history" because of her timely involvement with many field firsts.

 

The Graf Zeppelin was a hydrogen-filled, gas-powered rigid airship constructed between 1926-1928. The 776 ft long dirigible manned by 36 crew operated 590 flights between 1928-1937. After its initial spate of demonstration flights, the Graf Zeppelin routinely carried passengers, mail, and freight. The Graf Zeppelin was forcibly grounded in 1937 in the aftermath of the Hindenburg disaster; it was scrapped for parts in 1940.

 

Dr. Hugo Eckener played a significant role in the German interwar airship industry. He succeeded as manager of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin, the company that manufactured the eponymous airships, after the death of inventor and founder Count Ferdinand Von Zeppelin in 1917. Eckener aggressively promoted the research and development of dirigibles during the interwar period, even during an era of post-World War I military restrictions. In 1924, Eckener presented the company's LZ 126 to the U.S. Navy as part of its war reparations; it was later christened the U.S.S. Los Angeles

 

In addition to company administration, Eckener also piloted the Graf Zeppelin during its many record breaking flights. Eckener had obtained his airship piloting license in 1911, and, as we know from this fabric swatch, he commanded the Graf Zeppelin on its first intercontinental passenger flight in 1928. Eckener also piloted Graf Zeppelin on its first round-the-world flight in 1929; its Europe-Pan America flight in 1930; and its first Arctic flight in 1931.

 



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