Zeppelin Event Cover : 1937 Hindenburg Explosion and Canceled on the Exact Day

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Red Cross District #70*** the Hindenburg Disaster *** *** Designed on an exceptionally well-preserved 78 Year Old Envelope *** ABOUT THIS COVERThe feature event immortalized on this special event cover is the 1937 Hindenburg Disaster .Inspiration for this event cover : it was, arguably, T he most publicized, as well as T he most enduring, disastrous spectacle of the decade of the 1930s. The commercial/passenger air-ship, the Hindenburg Zeppelin had departed Frankfurt, Germany, and, on May 6, 1937, was about the dock at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, which was adjacent to Lakehurst, New Jersey. As an awed crowd on the ground watched in disbelief, the Hindenburg caught fire and exploded before their very eyes, resulting in the deaths of 36 people, a body count which included one of the pedestrians on the ground. It was from this ungodly disaster that one of the most memorable broadcasts in American history was born, as Herbert Morrison, a live, on-the-spot reporter, representing radio station WLS in Chicago, gave an emotionally gripping account of what he saw, in what came to be known as the Oh, the Humanity broadcast. Part of his account speaks volumes about the tragedy he personally witnessed : " It's crashing. Oh, my God. It's burning and bursting into flames. This is the worst catastrophe in the world. Oh, the humanity. I can' t talk, ladies and gentlemen. It's just lying there . . . a mass of smoking wreckage. This is the worst thing I've ever witnessed . . ." The Hindenburg catastrophe ended up having a lethal effect on the history of air travel, because after that, zeppelins were no longer used as commercial flights or as passenger flights.About the compelling cachet : this prominent looking cover, in my opinion, can be broken down into 5 distinct parts ( 1 ) the primary cachet, of course, is the feature draw, as it sports a 3-inch wide ( actually, a hair shy of three full inches ) and a 2½ inch tall laurel wreath, which serves as a commemorative reminder of those who perished during this horrific event in aviation history, as well as a rest in peace message to them ( 2 ) underneath that, an acknowledgement to the American Red Cross District #70, which sponsored this cover and, most likely, came to the accident scene to offer assistance ( 3 ) then, to the right of that, one of the most beautifully written addresses to ever adorn a cover . . . with its professionally attractive calligraphy design, which seems to be an artwork in, and of, itself ( 4 ) just above that, the very well struck, half-dollar sized cancel from the Marine Barracks at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's League Island ( 5 ) and, finally, on the cover's reverse, a philatelic shout-out to the United States Marine Corp . . . in keeping with the cancellation site on the cover's Side-A.About this cover overall condition : since this cover was designed on a 78 year old envelope, let me comment on its condition. I used the adjective "well-preserved" when I described this cover above, and rightly so. There are no distracting rips or tears to work about . And, what's more, the envelope is virtually clean, and, most important of all, there is not so much as a mere hint of any distracting flaps marks. And, finally, the envelope's reverse-side flap is neatly tucked . . . un sealed . . . inside the envelope, with its shiny gum fully intact. All things considered, an absolutely, exceptionally well preserved envelope, especially for a cover which is just a tad shy of being 8 full decades old.All in all, an exceptional piece of work, in all ways possible.INTERESTING TIDBIT : to this very day, the cause of the Hindenburg has never been 100% proven. Whether is was a mechanical failure aboard the air craft or a result of a diabolical sabotage will always be debatable.Shipping Terms : I gladly accept payment via PAYPAL, among other payment methods which may be convenient for you. Please add $1.00 for secure shipping. Your cover will be sleeved and reinforced. I usually ship out covers within one business day of receiving... read more

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