U.S.S. Akron
n.p., April 4, 1933
Rare & Unusually Large Decorated Piece From U.S.S. Akron & Memorial Broadside
Relic

A piece of the outer covering from the U.S.S. Akron, painted with a memorial dedication to the people who lost their lives in this and other aviation disasters. Our example, measuring approximately 18.25" x 12.25", is among one of the largest we have seen. Accompanied by a 12.75" x 16" broadside listing "Men, Living and Dead, Who Manned the U.S.A.S. Akron on Her Fateful Voyage April 4, 1933", mounted to an outside board. Exhibits moderate surface cracking and creasing to both, with uneven margins and edge tearing throughout; expected soiling verso. A unique pairing.

The fabric is colored with blue, red, and brown paint, with an inscription reading in part: "Dedicated to the brave and gallant officers and crews… of the United States Dirigibles… Akron-ZRS-4… who in the face of disaster, upheld the finest traditions of the United States Navy." The Akron crashed into the sea in 1933, yet pieces of the outer covering, or "skin", were salvaged from the ocean and presented as souvenir relics.

Provenance: presented together from an advanced collection of vintage aviation material

The U.S.S. Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship of the U.S. Navy, the lead ship of her class, which operated between September 1931 and April 1933. On the morning of April 4, 1933, the Akron was destroyed in a thunderstorm off the coast of New Jersey, killing 73 of the 76 crewmen and passengers. The accident would mark the greatest loss of life in any airship crash. While the Hindenburg and Graf Zeppelin were both larger airships, they were filled with hydrogen, making the Akron one of the two world record holders for the largest helium-filled ship.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!
18.25" x 12.25"