GOETZ: Opus 174 Loss of Zeppelin L 19

cacheman · May 24, 2004 3:10AM

Opus 174 LOSS OF ZEPPELIN L 19 (Untergang von L-19) 1916, Cast AE, 57mm, 42.75g, thin planchet, UNC, RR, Zetzmann 5040

Depicting one of the most dramatic incidents of WWI, Zeppelin L19 became disabled and fell on the sea still floating. The British trawler, King Stephen, approached with a crew of nine men all unarmed. They refused to take the twenty-eight or more survivors of L19 on board fearing the Germans would overpower the 9 men and take the trawler as a prize to Hamburg.

Obverse: L 19, with Germans scrambling and shaking fists at trawler which is steaming away.

Reverse: All-Seeing Eye with inscription: “Cursed be the British at sea and cursed be your bad conscience – help seeking shipwrecked people had to drown. February 2, 1916.”

Steve27 · May 24, 2004 3:20AM

Iteresting story, but the medal doesn't appear to be Goetz's best work, actually the zeppelin looks rather phallic.

Askari · May 24, 2004 3:24AM

The people are quite oversized with respect to the Zeppelin too, but remember, satire is a combination of keys elements and need not feel a requirement for verisimiltude.

cacheman · May 24, 2004 3:34AM

Yes, out of proportion but done well considering the size of the picture that needed to be designed to fit on one side of a medal. Had the zeppelin been sized correctly to eveything else then you wouldn't have room to show the trawler or Goetz's attempt(I think) at showing the expanse of water to enhance dramatically the horror of the misdeed.

Steve27 · May 24, 2004 3:41AM

Agreed, but shouldn't the zeppelin be more bulbous?

cacheman · May 24, 2004 4:01AM

His zeppelin design is in line with other artists and their medals. The original zeppelins were not bulbous like the contemporary Goodyear blimps of today. If I have time later today I'll scan some other zeppelin medals to use as examples.