Antique German LZ 2 Zeppelin Airship Disaster Wreckage Postcard 1906

Original vintage German photographic postcard depicting the dramatic wreckage of the Zeppelin LZ 2, an early German rigid airship designed by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin.

The photograph shows the twisted framework and still-burning remains of the airship surrounded by a large group of onlookers and personnel. The printed German caption reads:

“Die noch brennenden Trümmer des deutschen Marineluftschiffes ‘L 2’, welches in 100 m Höhe explodierte. Die gesamte Besatzung, sowie die Abnahme-Kommission, insgesamt 28 Personen kamen dabei ums Leben.”

Translation:
“The still-burning wreckage of the German naval airship ‘L 2,’ which exploded at an altitude of 100 meters. The entire crew, as well as the acceptance commission, a total of 28 persons, lost their lives.”

Important identification note: Despite the printed caption saying “L 2,” this is not Zeppelin LZ 2 from 1906. It depicts the German Imperial Navy airship L 2 (Zeppelin LZ 18) disaster of 17 October 1913 at Johannisthal near Berlin. The airship caught fire and exploded during an acceptance flight, killing all 28 men aboard. This makes the card a striking piece of pre-WWI German naval aviation and Zeppelin history.

The lower left of the photograph is marked “N.V.E. 916.”

The reverse is unused and contains the publisher/distributor information for:

Neuheiten-Vertrieb “Elektra”
Paul Hoffmann & Co., G.m.b.H., Schöneberg-Berlin

It also contains an interesting collector promotion offering a specially equipped album to collectors who accumulated 200 pictures from the series.

Condition is good vintage condition with expected age toning, light surface wear, minor edge/corner wear and handling. There is an old handwritten “25,-” notation on the reverse. Please examine all photographs for exact condition.

A fascinating early aviation postcard documenting one of the most catastrophic accidents of the pre-WWI Zeppelin era. Excellent subject matter for collectors of Zeppelins, German naval aviation, airship disasters, Imperial German history and early aviation photography.

Guaranteed original vintage period postcard. Item is exactly as shown. We combine shipping and ship every day, including Saturdays.

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