Zeppelins Collection

The Subzeppmarinellin by Heath Robinson, WW1 cartoon
The subzeppmarinellin for making sure of your enemy. All bases covered with this combined submarine and zeppelin from the imagination of William Heath Robinson during the First World War. Date: c.1916

Zeppelin-Staaken R VI German long-range bomber
Zeppelin-Staaken R VI German long-range giant bomber, first flown in mid-1917. A total of 18 were built. They were delivered to the Western Front, and sometimes used in raids on the British mainland

Graf, German zeppelin over London 1931
A good will visit, German zeppelin Graf flying over London, a transatlantic passenger carrier operating between 1928 to 1937, with people paying to take a flight over England. Date: August 1931

Threat of Zeppelin gas-bag or terror - which? 1915
Cartoon showing Kaisers head on the front of a Zeppelin airship, during World War One. German Zeppelins first successful raid was on the night of 1920 January 1915, in which two Zeppelins

First Zeppelin air raid on London, 1915
First Zeppelin air raid on London, during World War I 1915

Zeppelin-Lindau Rs II German long range flying boat, seen here in its initial form with biplane tail. It first flew in June 1916, after which modifications were made

To England! German dreams of an invasion by sea and air
To England! German dreams of an invasion by sea (warships) and air (a fleet of Zeppelins). Postcard sold to raise money for the German air war effort. Date: circa 1916

Seven Sopwith 2F1 Camels lined up on the deck of HMS Furious prior to the raid on the Tondern airship sheds on 19 July 1918

In the past night our airship, fighting against strong air currents, managed to carry itself... (colour litho)
2777588 In the past night our airship, fighting against strong air currents, managed to carry itself... (colour litho) by Beltrame

War Searchlights over London Bridge, 1917 (pastel on paper)
Ma447067 War Searchlights over London Bridge, 1917 (pastel on paper) by Randoll, Robert (1864-1946); 9.75 x 6.75 inch cm; Private Collection; Photo © The Ms Gallery, London

Zepps on North Sea Patrol, illustration from Flying Memories by John Hamilton, 1934 (litho)
STC400415 Zepps on North Sea Patrol, illustration from Flying Memories by John Hamilton, 1934 (litho) by Bradshaw, Stanley Orton (1903-1950); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection

La Tour Eiffel se gondole (b / w photo)
667735 La Tour Eiffel se gondole (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: La Tour Eiffel se gondole)

The wonderful aviation races in Reims, airplanes and airships chase each other in the air in... (colour litho)
2815261 The wonderful aviation races in Reims, airplanes and airships chase each other in the air in... (colour litho) by Beltrame

The airship that launches airplanes (colour litho)
2777755 The airship that launches airplanes (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The airship that launches airplanes)

On the Karst, one of our aviators attacked an enemy balloon under observation that fell on fire... (colour litho)
2777610 On the Karst, one of our aviators attacked an enemy balloon under observation that fell on fire... (colour litho) by Beltrame

Future New York (colour litho)
3095837 Future New York (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Future New York. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Arc de Triomphe being lifted up by a zeppelin (b / w photo)
3094189 Arc de Triomphe being lifted up by a zeppelin (b/w photo) by French Photographer (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Arc de Triomphe being lifted up by a zeppelin)

Hunting Zeppelins
A child seated on a chimney pot on the look-out for Zeppelins. Artist: Flora White Date: 1916

The Conquest of Air, cover illustration for Figaro Illustre
CHT404253 The Conquest of Air, cover illustration for Figaro Illustre, February 1909 (colour litho) by Grasset, Eugene (1841-1917); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

The P 2 military airship, arrived from Venice, flies over Milan, arousing enthusiasm among the population (colour litho)
2815467 The P 2 military airship, arrived from Venice, flies over Milan, arousing enthusiasm among the population (colour litho) by Beltrame

On the Isonzo, dragon-balloon-lifting maneuver to direct artillery shots (Colour Litho)
2777538 On the Isonzo, dragon-balloon-lifting maneuver to direct artillery shots (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: On the Isonzo)

The fervor of the struggle for the conquest of the dominto the air is increasingly feverish (Colour Litho)
2809325 The fervor of the struggle for the conquest of the dominto the air is increasingly feverish (Colour Litho) by Beltrame

The All Clear sounded by bugle after WW1 air raid
All Clear by bugle call: in London after an air-raid. With a boy scout as bugler: a Special Constables car giving the all clear notice after the recent Zeppelin raid on London

Fragments of Zeppelin, 1916
Three fragments obtained from a recently-destroyed Zeppelin. No 1. outer covering of Zeppelin (a doped fabric, i.e. a woven material treated with waterproofing solution). No 2

Graf Zeppelin leaving Friedrichshafen and appearing over Hanworth Aerodrome on the same day, cruised over Central London, watched by thousands from the ground. Date: 1931

The war from above, one of our airships launches bombs on the Divaccia railway junction
2815764 The war from above, one of our airships launches bombs on the Divaccia railway junction, producing serious damage (colour litho) by Beltrame

When the Pigs begin to Fly (Die Blutwurst), illustration from The Kaiser
779914 When the Pigs begin to Fly (Die Blutwurst), illustration from The Kaisers Garland by Edmund J. Sullivan, pub. 1916 (litho) by Sullivan

The Great News (colour litho)
2777861 The Great News (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Great News. At that time we were crowding, as usual)

The Norge towards the most daring goal (colour litho)
2777708 The Norge towards the most daring goal (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Norge towards the most daring goal)

Ferdinand Count von Zeppelin (colour litho)
700943 Ferdinand Count von Zeppelin (colour litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ferdinand Count von Zeppelin, or Graf von Zeppelin (1938-1917)

The Italian military airship in Piazza d Armi, in Rome, frantically acclaimed by the soldiers of the genius
2815166 The Italian military airship in Piazza d Armi, in Rome, frantically acclaimed by the soldiers of the genius (colour litho) by Beltrame

Very modern war, our air ships on the journey from Tripoli to Zuara anchor for the first... (colour litho)
2808474 Very modern war, our air ships on the journey from Tripoli to Zuara anchor for the first... (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Very modern war)

On the way to the Polo (colour litho)
2777847 On the way to the Polo (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: On the way to the Pole)

A glorious date in the history of mankind, the North Pole, for the first time in centuries... (colour litho)
2777713 A glorious date in the history of mankind, the North Pole, for the first time in centuries... (colour litho) by Beltrame

A daring aerial bombing, one of our airships launches 40 grenade-torpedo boats on Rivas military works (colour litho)
2777540 A daring aerial bombing, one of our airships launches 40 grenade-torpedo boats on Rivas military works (colour litho) by Beltrame

In the forward control gondola of a Zeppelin, 1917 (colour litho)
700945 In the forward control gondola of a Zeppelin, 1917 (colour litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Military Pictures; German, out of copyright

The after engine gondola of a Zeppelin, 1917 (colour litho)
700944 The after engine gondola of a Zeppelin, 1917 (colour litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Military Pictures; German, out of copyright

Lt Warneford shoots down a Zeppelin raider over Belgium on 7th June 1915
700940 Lt Warneford shoots down a Zeppelin raider over Belgium on 7th June 1915 and wins the Victoria Cross (colour litho) by Crosby

The first German air-raid by three Zeppelins, dropped bombs in Yarmouth, Kings Lynn and near the royal estate at Sandringham in Norfolk, wreaking buildings and killing civilians

Diagram showing German air-dreadnought, zeppelin compared to a section of buildings in Piccadilly London. Date: 1915

Zeppelin destroyed over Britain 1916
The ruins of a zeppelin destroyed over Britain, near London. Date: 2 September 1916

Zeppelin raid on London 1915
Drawing appeared in a German paper showing the latest German zeppelin air-raid over Tower Bridge, London, over night. Date: 17 August 1915

WW1 - A German propaganda view (unlike this image, the crews of all seven aircraft survived the raid!) of the aerial and naval combat at Cuxhaven, a German North Sea Port. During the First World War

The British Air Raid on Cuxhaven, Christmas Day, 1914, (c1920). Creator: Es Hodgson
The British Air Raid on Cuxhaven, Christmas Day, 1914, (c1920)....the Zeppelin Attack on the Escorting Force of Light Cruisers

London by Night - Looking for Zeppelins - Londoners take up the highest viewpoints they can to search the skies for these new miracles of aviation

War Bonds Wwi Poster
World War One poster encouraging the public to invest in war bonds to help buy guns and " bring them down" (presumably Zeppelins)

Imaginary Squadron Of German Bomb Dropping Air-Ships Attended By Aeroplane Scouts. Drawn By Norman Wilkinson From The Illustrated War News Published 1914

Diagram of the German Super-Zeppelin 1916
New improved at the time Super-Zeppelin, giving increased speed, additional strength and greater handiness in movement. Able to release 60 bombs with sliding hatch beneath. 1916

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Zeppelins: From Fantastical Inventions to Terrifying Weapons of War" Step into the world of zeppelins, where imagination and innovation collided with the harsh realities of war. The Subzeppmarinellin by Heath Robinson, a whimsical WW1 cartoon, showcased the creative minds at work during this era. One remarkable example was the Zeppelin-Staaken R VI German long-range bomber, a behemoth that struck fear into the hearts of enemies. Its sheer size and power were unparalleled, making it a formidable force in aerial combat. In 1931, Graf, a German zeppelin gracefully glided over London's skyline. This awe-inspiring sight left spectators marveling at its majestic presence and technological prowess. Not limited to just air travel, Germany also developed the Zeppelin-Lindau Rs II German long-range flying boat. This hybrid creation pushed boundaries as it soared through both air and water. During World War I, there was an ongoing debate about whether zeppelins posed more threat as gas-bags or instruments of terror. The year 1915 witnessed their first air raid on London - a chilling reminder of their destructive potential. German dreams of invading England by sea and air fueled their relentless pursuit for dominance. These ambitions were met with resistance from brave pilots like those aboard HMS Furious who lined up seven Sopwith 2F1 Camels ready to defend their homeland. The German Super-Zeppelin took center stage in 1916 with its advanced design and capabilities beyond anything seen before. However, even Kaiser Wilhelm II himself expressed disappointment in his zeppelin fleet's performance compared to U-Boats during WWI. France also fell victim to zeppelin raids in 1915 when these menacing aircraft hovered over Paris skies. Their haunting presence served as a constant reminder that no city was safe from destruction during wartime.