Description: Revised on June 30, 2024. I just got the new replacement strap. Take a look at the added photos. This strap is almost a perfect match. The length is almost spot on and even the clasp is the same except for the color of the rivets. The original strap will be included with this sale.Hi, I have something very unique are very hard to find. I write long narratives on certain historical items like this. I put a lot of time into my research. I do like to think I know what I am talking about. I have done the research so you don't have to. Read on if interested. First of all, I had another pair that I listed for five months before it sold it in May. I have also updated my research which I incorporated into this listing. You have no idea how hard it is to find a pair of these. I found these in Switzerland. There are no other ones for sale...anywhere. If you find a pair, drop me a line. Finders Fee Paid. DescriptionOne Pair of Genuine Graf Zeppelin LZ-127 Binoculars issued to crew and passengers. Note-The strap broke in two while I was taken photos. Its in my listing as such. Please look closely at the photos. The binoculars are captured at many angles. You can also see one where the strap broke. I just ordered a brand new replacement strap which I will include with the sale. HistoryThese binoculars were manufactured for one purpose only. To be distributed to the crew and passengers on the Graf Zeppelin LZ-127, which flew between 1928 and 1937. My research shows two possible scenarios on how these were distributed. Ill tell them to you and you can decide. It is said that these were probably distributed around on/or about September 14, 1930 for the Graf Zeppelins passage through Geneva. It would explain why I found this pair in Switzerland. They were given out to crew members and passengers for obvious reasons and were specially marked "LZ-127". There is also speculation that they were made for the July 24-31, 1931 Polar Fahrt (Polar Flight). Now, the first pair I sold had these markings on it. "Nitz LZ-127" on the right rear and "Diplomoptiker Witzel Stettin" on the left rear. These binoculars that I have listed here are only marked "L.Z. 127" and "8X25" on the right rear. The font is the exact same. My research through Worthpoint shows that both types were made and sold. The binoculars are the same exact model manufactured by the same company, though I couldn't find who made them. The name "Nitz" and "Diplomoptiker Witzel Stettin" on the other pair give some clues but I could not find a manufacturer under those names. "Stettin" was a film production company. There were over 50 German binocular companies in the 1920s and 1930s. More about the condition of these binoculars. This pair is in very good shape with no signs of it ever being dropped. All of the focusing rings are tight and easily moved. The binoculars focus is perfect and operates like a normal pair. The right side viewfinder rotates first, then you bring the whole binoculars into focus with the center adjustment. The left side view finder is static and doesn't move. All of the glass is clear, scratch free and has no fungus or mold present. The pebbled leather is mostly intact except for the left side which has a small piece missing where your left index finger would rest. Unfortunately, the original leather strap broke while I was taking photos of it for this ad. It is subtle and doesn't feel stiff but...it's around 95 years old!!! One of the tiny screws that hold the lower back side cover is a little different then the rest. All are slots except the one which is mostly slotted but with a partial Philips slot. You would only notice it if you closely inspected these like I did, otherwise, you would probably never notice. I like to be transparent with these as they aren't cheap and you have the right to know what I know. I can speculate on why there are differences in the markings on the back of each binocular. Most likely, they decided to keep the markings simple at first and/or they didn't like how crowded the "Nitz" marked ones were. Both types are listed in all of the major auction sites that have sold these off over the years. I located this pair over a month ago and it came out of Switzerland. You can check all you want, you won't find another pair for sale. Like I mentioned before, if you find another pair and I end up buying them, I will pay you a finders fee. I am honest and have never stiffed anyone. It took me 6 months to find the first pair and another 10 months to find these. If it is out there, I will find them. One other interesting fact....I couldn't find one pair of German made 8X25 binoculars. They are either stronger at 8X30 or weaker at 8X24. I could find one similar brand. Many have features that look the same like a French pair but...the Germans were not going to source binoculars from a foreign country when they have some of the best glass in the world. These binoculars were custom made for the Graf Zeppelin. With only about 10 pairs put up for sale and/or auction over the last 12 years (earliest I could find was 2012). The prices just keep going up. These will be worth several thousand dollars in a few years. I left this portion in from my other ad so you can see how I deciphered the markings. It may or may not apply to this pair. Now, I can only speculate on the markings. I will give you my findings and you can come up with your own conclusions unless someone out there can tell me more. Nitz portion which means "nice" in German and it is also a city there, though I couldn't find any reference to the binoculars. I will assume that Nitz was some reference to the city. The other markings, "Diplomoptiker Witzel Stettin" translates into "Qualified Optician Joke Stettin". Witzel means "Joke" which makes no sense and then Stettin. Stettin was known as Stettin Bay which was shared between Germany and Poland before the war. It has been renamed since. The only thing that makes sense is the Optician part. What does the 8X25 marking mean? This is the best answer I could find- The first figure (8) is used to describe the magnification and the second (25) is the objective lens diameter measured in mm. Using the two figures, you can calculate the exit pupil (how much light the binoculars can gather). Ok, what does all that mean? That's for you to figure out! These binoculars come with my rock solid notarized COA that guarantees that this item are what I say they are, genuine Graf Zeppelin LZ-127 binoculars made specifically for the Graf Zeppelin LZ-127 Crew and Passengers and probably made for the Geneva flight and/or the Polar Farht. These were handed out by the crew themselves to the passengers. Since it cost an average of $18,000-$20,000 in today dollars to fly on the Graf Zeppelin from Germany to Rio, it was only the very wealthy that could afford to fly and would have received these as a thank you gift. The Graf Zeppelin could carry 36 crew members and 24 passengers. That's 60 people. Even if they made 60 pairs, how many remain today??? I guarantee that these are what I say they are. The guarantee is for the life of the original purchaser. This binoculars will also come with a notarized Letter of Authenticity from me, The Notable Collector. This letter will guarantee the authenticity of the binoculars for the original purchaser only, with NO EXPIRATION DATE!!! Please keep the invoice with the letter and letter of provenance. Remember, this COA is only for my description. It is a guarantee it is what i say it is. I don't offer refunds because you changed your mind!!! This item is a very hard item to obtain. If you are an avid Zeppelin fan like myself, then you can't pass this one up. They don't show up very often for sale and when they do, they don't last. Please feel free to do your own research. Once done, you will agree with me. My price is very fair considering how scare these are. I am open to offers but please, don't low ball me. This is a new store for me but I have been on eBay for over 27 years with perfect feedback. I will be posting much more unique Zeppelin and other airship items including relics, covers, postcards and so much more so please follow me. Please contact me with any issues first. If you don't I can't help you. I shoot for five stars. If you are new to eBay, under 10 ratings, I will only rate your feedback after you have rated mine. Shipping-Because this item is valuable and rare, I will carefully pack it for a safe delivery for $16.99 via USPS Priority mail in the U.S. I use new and recycled shipping materials. You may or may not received a new box, depending what I have on hand. The choice is mine. Either way, it will arrive safe and sound. There should be an option for international shipping. If it doesn't show up, please drop me a line. I charged $5.00 handling for international shipping. This isn't profit for me. I will pack it differently for a trip overseas. If you are in Canada, I will refund you the $5.00.I take pride in packing collectables for shipment. My feedback proves this. Your item will come packed in archival materials to prevent any deterioration. I also make the boxes easy to open so you don't need to perform surgery on it to open it! Look at my other items for many airship related items. More to come!!! Thanks for Looking.
Price: 799.99 USD
Location: Hollywood, Florida
End Time: 2024-10-22T18:09:56.000Z
Shipping Cost: 16.99 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
