Steve Ferguson (B. 1946) "1900 - Original Zeppelin" Signed lower left. Watercolor on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 33c 100th Anniversary of the Zeppelin - Original Zeppelin stamp issued May 11, 2000. Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin's first airship, Luftschiff Zeppelin (LZ1), made its maiden 18-minute flight on July 2, 1900. Measuring 420 feet long and 38 feet wide, the dirigible had a maximum speed of 16 mph. Considered under-powered, it was scrapped the follow year - but not before giving rise to a series of successors. On November 16, 1909, the world's first airline, Deutsche Luftschiffahrts AG (DELAG), was founded. Headquartered at Frankfurt, Germany, DELAG trained airship pilots and operated Zeppelin passenger flights. Following the outbreak of World War I, Zeppelin's airships were used by Germany's military. Originally intended as reconnaissance vessels, Zeppelins were launched in January, 1915, for bombing raids against London. Image Size: 13.5 x 18.5 in. Overall Size: 15 x 20 in. Unframed. (B16812)