Sale 707 The Knapp Collection of Airmail Flights

[U.S.S. Akron] 1932, Hull fabric, piece of "‘duralumin’ and outer covering fabric from the damaged fin of the ‘Akron’ mishap on February 22nd" attested to in a typed letter dated April 1, 1932, on U.S.S. Akron stationery and signed only "R" to a "Friend Fred" (prominent airmail collector, Fred Hambrock, Jr.) for his collection; the piece of tail fin has been identified as such by "R" in ballpoint pen, the covering fabric includes a rivet; sizes are approximately 4-5" x 1½-2".
Estimate $200 - 300

At Lakehurst, on February 22, the Akron suffered an embarrassing ground handling accident when, in front of a group of congressmen waiting to board the ship for a demonstration flight, the ship broke away from its handlers, striking its lower tail fin on the ground. Repairs took two months.