Skip to main content

Graf Zeppelin over Davenport

 Collection
Identifier: 2020-31

Scope and Contents

The Graf Zeppelin was a German dirigible that completed a 20,000 mile journey around the world that started at the naval air station in Lakehurst, New Jersey on August 7, 1929 and concluded in the same place on August 29, 1929 after stopping in Germany, Japan and Los Angeles. The aircraft was commanded by Dr. Hugo Eckener. Former mayor of Davenport, John Berwald, was instrumental in arranging the craft's to visit Davenport.

This set a record for flying around the world.

Dates

  • Creation: 1929 Aug 28

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

This image taken by A.E. Williams, staff photographer, and appeared in the Davenport, Iowa Daily Times on Thursday, August 29, 1929 on page 1. Williams took the image from an airplane of the Davenport Airways, Inc. piloted by N.L. Blake, a 21-year-old student pilot and mechanic at Cram Field.

Reproductions of the image were distributed for free and were printed on six ply cardboard size 8 x 10". Mounted photographs 16 x 20" were availabe for purchase at $1.25 each at the Times.

The Graf Zeppelin circled over Davenport on August 28, 1929 on its flight around the world, which was a success as the first aircraft to circumnavigate the globe.

Extent

1 Photographic Prints : black and white print ; 8.5 x 11"

Language of Materials

English

Physical Location

Range 44 Section 2 with photograph collection - VM89-001981

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center Repository

Contact:
321 Main Street
Davenport IA 52801-1490 United States