Zeppelin Crew Badge?

[TobyR]

Hi Everybody,

I picked this up today - what I believe to be a Zeppelin Crew Member's sleeve badge. Mind you, this is supposition.

Has anybody else got one of these or seen one? Any photos of it in wear? Am I correct to assume it is a crew badge?

As you can see this one isn't in the best of condition but still something I would imagine is pretty scarce.

Thanks for looking.

All the best,
Toby.

[TobyR]

And the reverse:

[Dave Suter]

I've seen that type logo before - but I can't remember where (I'm getting old). I'm pretty sure that it is for the civil zeppelin service. I'm guessing that it's not a common item.

[TobyR]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for taking a look. And don't worry about the age thing: I think it's fair to say it's coming to us all.

All the best,

Toby.

[Garth Thompson]

It is a badge for zeppelin civilian uniformed crew members i.e. stewards, pursers, etc. in the public eye. Post WW1 to the 30's when zepps were a form of transportation for travelers. These have been reproduced with fair quality. Garth

[TobyR]

It is a badge for zeppelin civilian uniformed crew members i.e. stewards, pursers, etc. in the public eye. Post WW1 to the 30's when zepps were a form of transportation for travelers. These have been reproduced with fair quality. Garth

Hi Garth,

Thanks for replying. You don't have any doubts about this one, re. authenticity, do you?

Also, what sort of value would you put it at?

All the best,
Toby.

[Garth Thompson]

Toby,

It's hard to make a firm judgement from the pictures. The reproductions I've seen have pretty high quality embroidery but the base material is a thin wool almost felt like while an authentic period piece would be more substantial. The fakes do respond to the "blacklight" unfavorably. The swastika would place this badge in the late 30's before the start of the war. If authentic, it is a genuinly scarce piece appealing to both Third Reich and airline collectors. I'd hate to try and put a value on it because with the internet and todays "must have it" mentality there is no predicting how much some fool will be willing to pay. Garth

[TobyR]

Hi Garth,

Thanks again. I must admit I'd be pretty taken aback if this were a fake. Something my pictures don't show so well is just how moth-eaten parts of the badge are: the area outside of the oval border is almost completely gone. The back too is pretty pulverised.

When I acquired it, it was stuck, using I believe, double sided sellotape to a piece of card. It was quite a delicate operation to remove it without causing further damage, since it had been there for so long.

Do you have any pics to compare against?

All the best,
Toby.

[Garth Thompson]

Toby,

You have some very strong pluses on your badge: the wear and tear of 70 years is hard to duplicate, the black backing material (I've not seen this on reproductions) and what appears to be in the picture a higher edge than the company design in the center. I have a reproduction around somewhere and I'll see if I can find it for comparison. At first blush I'd say you have found a good zepp crewman badge.
Cheers,
Garth

[TobyR]

Hi Garth,

I've now had a chance to test with blacklight and it doesn't glow. When I can I'll try and sort out a closer photograph to show across the obverse of the badge.

Also, I'd be interested to see your repro when you can.

Thanks and all the best,

Toby.

[TobyR]

Hi Everybody,

I now have some better pics which hopefully, will give you all a better idea of the true construction and present condition of the badge.

Further thoughts / opinions welcomed.

Thanks again.

All the best,
Toby.

[TobyR]

Eagle close:

[TobyR]

Zeppelin close:

[TobyR]

Swas. close:

[TobyR]

Border close: