Germany, Third Reich. A First Flight of Graf Zeppelin D-LZ 130 Medal 1938

In silvered zinc, obverse illustrating the bust of Ferdinand Adolf Heinrich August Graf von Zeppelin surrounded by a full wreath of laurel leaves, reverse illustrating Graf Zeppelin D-LZ 130, inscribed "TAUFE D. LZ 130" (Baptism D-LZ 130) above and "GRAF ZEPPELIN // 100. GEBURTSTAG 1938" (Count Zeppelin // 100th Birthday 1938) below, measuring 36 mm in diameter, scattered silvering loss and surface wear, very fine.

 

1. The Graf Zeppelin D-LZ 130 was the last of the German rigid airships built by Zeppelin Luftschiffbau during the period between the World Wars, the second and final ship of the Hindenburg class, and the second zeppelin to carry the name "Graf Zeppelin" (after the LZ 127) and thus often referred to as Graf Zeppelin II. Due to the United States refusal to export helium to Germany, the Graf Zeppelin II was filled with hydrogen and therefore never carried commercial passengers. It made thirty flights over eleven months in 1938-1939, many being propaganda publicity flights; but staff of the Reich Air Ministry were aboard to conduct radio surveillance and measurements. The airship, along with its LZ 127 namesake were both scrapped in April 1940, and their duralumin framework salvaged to build aircraft for the Luftwaffe.
2. Ferdinand Adolf Heinrich August Graf von Zeppelin (July 8, 1838 - March 8, 1917) was a German general and later inventor of the Zeppelin rigid airships; he founded the company Luftschiffbau Zeppelin.