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A child's tin toy Graf Zeppelin (actually a reproduction of a wind-up toy from the 1930s) is depicted floating overhead in this wonderfully whimsical painting.Wind-up toys, tin toys, and the like were quite popular in 1920s and 1930s (long before plastics made their appearance in the late 1950s ending the reign of the tin toy). During the early years of aviation tin toys were very popular with children, especially after Lindbergh's transatlantic flight in 1927 and the round-the-world flight of the German airship LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin in 1929. Many a young boy (and even some girls) dreamed of being "up there" in those marvelous flying machines while they played with their tin toys.
Today tin toys (especially wind-up) are highly-prized items for collectors. There are also a number of companies which produce replicas of these toys today.
The zeppelin in the painting is by the German firm Schylling. The 10-inch little wind-up toy rolls along on wheels. It is available for about $12 to $15 from dealers.
another toy zeppelin form the 1930s
The tin toy in the painting reflects the interest in airship engendered by the world flight of the Graf Zeppelin 1929.
The Graf Zeppelin ruled the uncluttered skies like no other monarch could. The sight of the silver ship gliding over head brought crowds of people streaming from their houses and into the streets. No other aircraft in history , with the possible exception of the Spirit of St. Louis, has been the focus of so much admiration by so many people. The Graf Zeppelin was Dr. Hugo Eckner's crowning achievement in the concept of the airship. Even though the Hindenburg and the Graf Zeppelin II would be technologically superior to the Graf Zeppelin, no other air ship would be so loved by nearly all the world.
In August 1929, the Graf (as it was affectionately known) departed Germany on a daring enterprise: a complete circumnavigation of the globe. The growing popularity of the "giant of the air" made it easy for Dr. Hugo Eckener to find sponsors. One of these was the American press tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who requested the tour to officially start in Lakehurst. From there, Graf Zeppelin flew to Friedrichshafen first, continuing to Tokyo, Los Angeles and back to Lakehurst. It completed the voyage in 21 days, 5 hours and 31 minutes. Including the initial and final trips Friedrichshafen-Lakehurst and back, the dirigible traveled 49,618 km.
Wherever it went the Graf received tumultuous crowds cheering and looking upward in awe and amazement. Following the return to Lakehurst, Eckener and his crew were given a ticker-tape parade in New York City.
LZ-127 at Friedrichshafen
2002 Wings Publishing
