Lot 197

Large Hindenburg Swatch - Still Smells Like Smoke and Fuel! Incredible Relic Recovered by Marine Guarding The Crash Site

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Large Hindenburg Swatch - Still Smells Like Smoke and Fuel! Incredible Relic Recovered by Marine Guarding The Crash Site

Estimate: $1,800 - $2,400

Current Bid: $600

(2 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Hindenburg
Lakehurst, NJ, May 6, 1937
Large Hindenburg Swatch - Still Smells Like Smoke and Fuel! Incredible Relic Recovered by Marine Guarding The Crash Site
Relic

A remarkable large section of silver fabric recovered from the German airship LZ 129 Hindenburg, which exploded and burned at Lakehurst, New Jersey, on May 6, 1937. The swatch was recovered by U.S. Marine Private Paul Vasquez, who was stationed at Lakehurst, New Jersey, and assigned to guard the crash site shortly after the airship exploded in 1937. While securing the wreckage, Vasquez collected many relics, including this section of outer covering from the Hindenburg. The fabric still carries traces of smoke and fuel odor after more than eight decades and exhibits edge fraying and burn marks consistent with exposure to the fiery disaster. Measures 4.25" x 1.25.

It is worth noting that a significant piece sold in RR Auction in December of 2025 for $18,740. That swatch was only slightly larger than this one.

Accompanied by a detailed photocopied provenance packet of other materials originating from Private Paul Vasquez. While guarding the Lakehurst crash site, Vasquez sent a photo postcard of the Hindenburg to his family, writing that he was 'getting tired of guarding that burned dirigible.' The packet includes color copies of this postcard, copies of two original flown and recovered Hindenburg interior postcards inscribed in Vasquez's hand, 'Souvenir from Hindenburg Zeppelin, burned May 6, 1937 Pvt. Paul A. Vasquez,' as well as a photograph of Vasquez standing with another Marine at the wreck site during his guard duty.

The Hindenburg disaster occurred on May 6, 1937, when the German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg, the pride of Nazi Germany's Zeppelin fleet, caught fire and was destroyed while attempting to land at the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The massive hydrogen-filled airship, completing its first transatlantic flight of the season from Frankfurt, suddenly erupted into flames just moments before mooring, collapsing to the ground in less than a minute. Of the 97 people on board, 36 perished - 13 passengers, 22 crew members, and one worker on the ground -while the horrifying scene was captured live by newsreel cameras and radio broadcaster Herbert Morrison's unforgettable words, 'Oh, the humanity!' The tragedy marked the end of the airship era, as public confidence in rigid airship travel vanished overnight, symbolizing both the dangers of early aviation and the technological ambitions of the interwar years.

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: 4.25" x 1.25
  • Medium: Relic

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000