Three items from the ill-fated Hindenburg, from its fifth return flight from Lakehurst to Frankfurt on July 16, 1936: a lunch menu from the dining room, 6.5 x 10, signed on the inside cover by 10 crew members and passengers, including Ernst A. Lehmann (commander), Heinrich Kubris (chief steward), Richard C. DuPont, and Allaire DuPont; a picture postcard of the Hindenburg’s dining room, sent during the flight and signed “LBK,” (L. B. Kilbourne), which reads, “Wireless received last night. Thanks to all. Well, here we are 5000 ft. over the water and travelling 70 MPH. All the comforts of home.”; and an original passenger list, showing all 54 passengers, as well as the chief crew. In fine condition, with some light soiling to menu, and expected handling wear, toning, and a vertical crease to the middle of the postcard.
Lehmann, the ship’s commander for this 1936 voyage, would forever be linked to the name Hindenburg as he was the most senior officer onboard (though not its captain) when the airship crashed and burned in New Jersey on May 6, 1937. History still regards Lehmann as one of Germany’s most famous and experienced airship officers, having commanded more than 100 flights of the German airship Graf Zeppelin and 10 round-trip flights of the Hindenburg. Interestingly, Kubris, the chief steward, was also onboard both flights and remarkably survived the Hindenburg’s final journey.
Among the passengers on the Hindenburg during its more pleasant 1936 flight were Richard and Allaire DuPont. Richard DuPont was an aviator and glider pioneer, as well as a member of the prominent DuPont family. A three-time US National Soaring Champion, he was part of the inaugural class of the Soaring Hall of Fame and also was instrumental in the use of gliders during World War II; ironically, the use of a glider led to his death in 1943. DuPont was a passenger in an experimental glider when the aircraft failed and began crashing to the ground. DuPont jumped from the aircraft but his parachute failed to open. His widow, Allaire DuPont, operated Woodstock Farm in Chesapeake City, Maryland and owned Bohemia Stable, best known for the Hall of Fame thoroughbred racehorse, Kelso.
The well-publicized and shocking images of the Hindenburg disaster ultimately shattered public confidence in the giant, passenger-carrying rigid airship, and marked the end of the airship era. This collection, however, harkens to a more promising era when members of the world’s elite were allowed to float amongst the clouds. RRAuction COA.
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