Unbelievable One of a Kind Custom Built Graf Zeppelin LZ-127 Diorama!!!

Description: Hi, First of all, any of you who follow me or check out what I have up for sale will know that I write long detailed listings. I am going to try and keep this one short as I don't have a ton of information on its origin. Ok, that's a lie. This one is going to be a doozy!!! Please do not consider the listed shipping costs until you read my listing and the shipping section. This is no lightweight item. I don't try to profit on shipping, but some items just aren't easy to pack and ship out. This will take me at least a few days to put together. Read on!!! Please, please, please read before considering. I want you to know what you are getting. Item- 46" X 13" X 12" long custom-made wood diorama box with a custom made one of a kind Graf Zeppelin LZ-127 Model inside. It has many unique features that I will try to detail in this listing. It weighs around 30 pounds. There are four detachable 12" turned wooded legs. I didn't install them, but I took a photo of the legs. History- 1979 marked the 50th Anniversary of the Graf Zeppelin LZ-127 "Round The World" flight. I believe that there were collectors who wanted to commemorate this as evident on the various covers with cachets out there. Now comes this diorama. When I first saw this, I never imagined how big and detailed it would be. The first thing that grabs your attention is the custom woodwork of the box itself. When latched up, it makes for easier transport. It then can be opened into a beautiful diorama that mixes the old with the new. The front door is adorned with one half of the Graf Zeppelin carved perfectly out of wood, and the backside of the box has the other half. It seems as whomever made this, fashioned a one piece carving, and then split it down the middle. The sides also have carved Eagles adorning them. When it is buttoned up, you can only guess what might be inside. Once opened, get ready, as others will to take their time going over what is inside. Both of my sons and daughters did. At the heart of the display is a custom made one of a kind, 39", 6-pound Graf Zeppelin LZ-127 model. It can actually be removed from the display case and examined. It would be hard to figure out how and what it is made of, but I can tell you this, I believe the main ship is made out of wood and not balsa. It's heavier. It was then covered in some sort of fabric, doped and painted. The detailed gondola, tail fins, engine struts, engine pods, propellors, and the tail fins are formed from what appears to be solid aluminum. Whoever built this was definitely an artist/craftsman. It is easily removed from its acrylic stands. The paint isn't perfect, and the ship has a few dings, but it doesn't distract in any manner. If I had to describe this Zeppelin in one word...simple would be it. The inside lid of this display is a feature on its own. It has a large center piece that is reflective like a mirror and has the airships name in what appears to be custom-made letters and numbers painted white. On the left side of the center piece is the Graf Zeppelins dimensions and 50th Anniversary Commemorative Plaque and to the right is another plaque that has a photo of the Graf Zeppelin with a brass/copper plaque of Ferninand Von Zeppelin. On each side of his plaque is what appears to be two silver coins, one for the 50th Anniversary and the other for the World Flight. Now, since these items look to be permanently mounted and secured behind acrylic, I can't be sure of the metals or material. On the left side off the display is another door that opens and it has a nice black and gold colored plaque of the Graf Zeppelin and above that is what appears to be an actually Round The World flown cover with three Scott C-9 stamps. I am not a stamp or cover expert, but it looks very real. It is also permanently mounted behind acrylic. The right side door has a small plaque of an engraving of the Century of Progress Exposition and then an actual Graf Zeppelin flown cover with the ever so popular Scott C-18 stamp. This is also permanently secured behind acrylic. The main part of this diorama confuses me just a tad, but I think I can understand what the model maker was going for. It is a nicely built HO Scale town that has a gas station with 1950s style pumps, two houses, and a church. The road has cars from what looks like the 60s and 70s. Flying overhead and built into the clear acrylic Graf Zeppelin holder are three small-scale custom painted model airplanes. One is a Spitfire, and the other two are WWI Bi-planes, one with a German beam cross and the other, what looks like to be a French insignia, though I could be wrong. The propellors spin. The red background is made of felt, and the grass is also felt. What is my take on all of these different era vehicles, buildings, airplanes, and the Graf Zeppelin? I believe the builder was going for a what could have been had the Zeppelin program continued after WWII. The Graf Zeppelin flying over a small American town in 1979. It's my best guess! I did put a ton of man hours into this researching every show that would have been held in/around the 50th Anniversary. I couldn't find one piece of information on who might have built this and why. If you acquire this fine example of a diorama, then the search becomes yours. In closing, this is one of the nicest Graf Zeppelin Dioramas I have ever seen, period. It is set up for you to take to collector shows and to be the centerpiece of your display and when it is home, the centerpiece of your collection. It would also look nice in a museum. Now, the front cover/door has four small loose clips that looked like it secured another piece of the display. The only thing I could think of would be a prop for the top cover when it's open. When you open the cover now, the top doesn't have anything to prop it up with. You have to have something behind it, or it will just flop backward. I think I might even know what it would have looked like. Probably another acrylic stand that had when secured inside the box for transport, it would be hidden until you open it. I am sure you will figure out a way to devise a simple stand. The backside also has four small clear plastic mounts that have holes in them. This might have been how the stand mounted to hold the top up. This box was not crafted by someone with little or no experience. This took a huge amount of time to build. The Zeppelin alone looks like it has months of work into it. This was built with lots of care and love. The box itself is in very good shape. The hinges and clasps are all solid and function properly. The front and rear Zeppelin carving has some minor scuffs on them but still in very nice condition. The front one is scuffed on where it touches the surface when opened. Look at all of the photos. There is a carry handle mounted on top, which looks to be metal reinforced with, but it's cracked a little. I picked it up without any issues but decided to reinforce it with some tie straps. It does look like you can replace the handle with just a little handywork. Remember that the model itself can be removed and safely placed on a countertop. This model can't be returned to me. Once it is yours, it's yours. The only thing that I will guarantee is that I tried to be as truthful as possible with my description. Let's talk about shipping. This isn't an easy item to pack and ship. It is very possible and shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. I looked at the rates of the various carriers eBay uses and settled on FedEx Ground/Home Delivery. When I priced it out, it came out to between $130.00 and $150.00, considering it's just under 30 pounds. I added another $50.00 to cover the extra shipping costs should we decide to send two packages. I have a few thoughts on the matter. Could the model and the box be transported together? Possibly, but I don't trust the acrylic stands inside 100%. I think it would be easier to ship these items separately. It might add a little more, but it would arrive intact. We can discuss this after the sale. Please do not expect me to ship this out in the time frame eBay allows. You must be patient with me. I have my shipping charge listed, but...its not an exact amount. It's the most I will charge to ship these out, either together or in two shipments. I promise to refund you anything over $5.00 in actual shipping charges less my packing materials, which could be recycled and/or new. I live in Broward County, Florida. You could pick it up, of course, and I might be willing to drive it to you as long as you do not more than 3 hours away. We could also meet in-between and/or come up with a whole new idea or shipping method!!! We will speak after purchase to finalize the details. On that note, the shipping decisions will ultimately be up to me. I want you to get this in one piece. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I am truly open to reasonable offers. I don't have the minimum offer feature setup. If you lowball me, you will not get a response. If your offer is fair and/or within the ballpark, I might consider it or make a counter offer. Remember, this is a one of a kind piece. You will have the only one ever made. Thanks for looking!!!

Price: 2999.99 USD

Location: Hollywood, Florida

End Time: 2024-11-25T21:22:25.000Z

Shipping Cost: 200 USD