Swatch of fabric from Hindenburg sells from more than $36K

Patch apparently from the Nazi banners that adorned the doomed airship was picked up by teenager after the disaster, had been expected to fetch just $5,000

By AP 8 February 2018, 11:46 pm
This May 6, 1937 photo, provided by the Philadelphia Public Ledger, was taken at almost the split second that the Hindenburg exploded over the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, N.J. (AP Photo, File)

BOSTON — A swatch of canvas recovered from the wreckage of the Hindenburg has sold for more than $36,000 at auction.

Boston-based RR Auction said the piece of red cotton canvas was picked up at the disaster site by a teenager whose father was working the dock when the German airship exploded on May 6, 1937 in New Jersey.

Thirty-five passengers and crew were killed along with one person on the ground, while 62 others who were on board survived.

The auction house said a known collector of Americana, who does not want to be identified, paid $36,282 for the 6.25 by 5-inch (12.7 by 15.9 centimeter) piece of fabric during Wednesday night’s auction. The pre-auction estimate was up to $5,000.

German airship ‘Hindenburg’ photographed from a plane, is seen flying over Manhattan Island, New York, USA in the 1930s. (AP Photo)

Auction officials said the piece is unique because it is not gray, like most of the canvas from the airship, and must have come from the giant Nazi flags that were emblazoned on the tailfins.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

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