The Newest Royal Caribbean Ship - Quantum of the Seas

Prepare to be WOWED
Quantum of the Seas

The Newest Ship from Royal Caribbean is about to start booking!  Here is an oversized postcard with a reminder to sign up for Early booking opportunities for Royal Crown and Anchor Members.

Krisin Chenoweth will be the Godmother of this amazing ship.  On board there will be bumper cars and an indoor skydiving room!

postmarked in 2013 with a machine stamp

En Normandie (Normandy), Rouen, France

 En Normandie ... (In Normandy) ...
Rouen (Seine-Maritime).

postmarked in 2011 from France with a 20 g stamp

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Rouen is the historic capital city of Normandy, in northern France on the River Seine, and currently the capital of the Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy) region. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe, Rouen was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy in the Middle Ages. It was one of the capitals of the Anglo-Norman dynasties, which ruled both England and large parts of modern France from the 11th to the 15th centuries. It was in Rouen where Joan of Arc was burnt on May 30, 1431.

Icelandair - Boeing 757-200

Icelandair

This was postmarked in 2013 from Iceland. 

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Icelandair is the main airline of Iceland, headquartered at Reykjavík Airport.  It is part of the Icelandair Group and currently operates scheduled services to 35 cities in 16 countries on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.  

In 2012, Icelandair transported 2,021,000 passengers, an increase of 16% compared to 2011.

Iceland (Island) stamp 2013

Island of Hafursey 50 g

Hafursey is a mountain island in the south of Iceland.

Neapolitan Mastiff in a Window

Rudi Hurzlmeier (artist)

 "Am Fenster" (translation from German: At The Window)

postmarked in 2013 three Great Britain stamps (two green: queen 20 p and one stamp of The Cyberman from Doctor Who)

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The Neapolitan Mastiff or Italian Mastiff  is a large, ancient dog breed. 

A male Neapolitan Mastiffs should measure 26–31 inches (66–79 cm) at the withers and weigh 130–155 pounds (60-70 kg), while females should measure 24–29 inches (61–74 cm) and weigh 110–130pounds (50–60 kg).

The Neapolitan Mastiff is not a breed for most people, and certainly not a dog for beginners. They are large, powerful dogs and sometimes they do not always know their own strength. 

Great Britain stamp 2013,
Cyberman from Doctor Who, 2nd

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The Cybermen are a fictional race of cyborgs who are amongst the most persistent enemies of the Doctor in the British science fiction television series, Doctor Who. Cybermen were originally a wholly organic species of humanoids originating on Earth's twin planet Mondas that began to implant more and more artificial parts into their bodies as a means of self-preservation. This led to the race becoming coldly logical and calculating, with every emotion deleted from their minds.

this is featuring on the blog: Sunday Stamps - -

Decoration Day - Now Called Memorial Day

"Ah! Never Shall the Land Forget
How Gushed the Life - Blood of the Brave!"

Raphael Tuck and Sons "Decoration Day" Series of Post Cards No. 158

postmarked in 1909 with a one cent stamp

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Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.

Macao-Taipa Bridge and Grand Lisboa Casino in Macau, China

Macao - Taipa Bridge

Ponte macau-Taipa e as melodiosas vagas
(Galician: Macau-Taipa Bridge and the melodious waves)

The bridge which has a total length of 2570 meters was completed in 1974 and is the link between the two places.  The rainbow profile rising from the sea is another landmark.

Photography of Wong Wai Hong, 2008

This was postmarked in 2013 with two Macau, China stamps

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Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge, also known as the Macau-Taipa Bridge, is a dual-lane two-way bridge connecting Macau Peninsula near Casino Lisboa and the island of Taipa.

The bridge is meant to take the shape of a dragon, with Casino Lisboa representing the dragon's head, and Taipa Monument on Taipa Pequena the dragon's tail.

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Tallest Building on the right:

Grand Lisboa is a 58-floor, 261-metre-tall (856 ft) hotel in Macau. Its casino and restaurants were opened on February 11, 2007, while the hotel part of the building was opened in December 2008. The casino offers 800 mass gaming tables and 1000 slot machines. The hotel contains 430 hotel rooms and suites. The Grand Lisboa is the tallest building in Macau and the 118th Tallest Building in the World (by architectural structure).

Macau, China stamp 2010

Traditional Costumes 3.50 

Macau, China stamp 2003

Museu Darted (Art Museum) 1.50

Monty Pyton and the Holy Grail - The Armless Black Knight

Monty Pyton and the Holy Grail

unused, from 2001 (the movie was made in 1975)

In this postcard you see Graham Chapman as King Arthur and John Cleese as the Black Knight

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Monty Python and the Holy Grail, (released in the UK on May 25, 1975) is a British comedy film written and performed by the comedy group Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin), and directed by Gilliam and Jones.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail loosely follows the legend of King Arthur. Arthur (Chapman) along with his squire, Patsy (Gilliam), recruits his Knights of the Round Table, including Sir Bedevere the Wise (Jones), Sir Lancelot the Brave (Cleese), Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-As-Sir-Lancelot (Idle) and Sir Galahad the Pure (Palin). On the way Arthur battles the Black Knight (Cleese) who, despite having had all his limbs being chopped off, continues to try fighting. They reach Camelot, but Arthur decides not to enter, as it is a "silly place." They are instructed by God (represented by an animated photograph) to seek out the Holy Grail.

some of the quote from this part of the movie:

King Arthur: [after Arthur's cut off both of the Black Knight's arms] Look, You've got no arms left.
Black Knight: Yes I have.
King Arthur: *Look*!
Black Knight: It's just a flesh wound.

Postcard Made out of Duck Tape

I was talking to one of the girls that live in our neighborhood and she was telling me how she makes purses and wallets out of duck tape and sells them at school.  I asked her if I gave her $3.00 and a stamp if she could make me a postcard out of duck tape and mail it to me for my collection - Here is my card!  She surrounded it in mailing tape to keep the marker from smearing. (which also kept the postal stamp off - but that is fine)  I have to say, for me, it was a well spent three dollars  :D  

Thank you Jessica! 

postmarked in 2013 

Here is a scan of the other side of the card....

The Monaco Grand Prix

Grand Prix de Monaco

Photos: P. Poulailler

unused, from 2009

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The Monaco Grand Prix (French: Grand Prix de Monaco) is a Formula One motor race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The circuit has been called "an exceptional location of glamour and prestige."

The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is a dangerous place to race. It is the only Grand Prix that does not adhere to the FIA's mandated 305 km minimum race distance.

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 one more postcard ....

Monaco 2009
21 - 22 - 23 - 24 Mai (May)
Formula 1

unused

Ocean City, New Jersey: Boardwalk at Music Pier

Boardwalk at Music Pier
Ocean City, New Jersey

The Music Pier is Ocean City's most well known landmark.  It is the site of concerts and meetings.

postmarked in 1990 with a 15 cent Beach stamp

the sender is a young child who writes:
Hi, I'm Having Fun at the beach
Love Tim

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Ocean City is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States.  As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 11,701.  In summer months, with an influx of tourists and second homeowners, there are estimated to be 115,000 to 130,000 within the city's borders.

Known as a family-oriented seaside resort, Ocean City has prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages within its limits since its founding in 1879.

The Travel Channel rated Ocean City as the Best Family Beach of 2005.

Food Market in Hoi An, Vietnam

Vietnam, Hoi An

postmarked in 2013 with two Vietnam stamps

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Hội An, also Faifo, is a city of Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea in the South Central Coast of Vietnam. It is located in Quang Nam province and is home to approximately 120,000 people.

In 1999, the old town was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port of the 15th to 19th centuries, with buildings that display a unique blend of local and foreign influences.

My question is this:  What is the lady in the background thinking?

Vietnam stamp 2011

Acanthosaura lepidogaster (Lizard, Dragon) 6000 d

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Vietnam stamp 2011

Artistic Drawing of a Dragon 10500 d

Cher

Cher


the Colosseum
Ceasars Palace
Las Vegas

All three postcards are unused and from 2009.

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Cher (born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer, and philanthropist.

She began her career as a backup singer and came to prominence in 1965 as one-half of the pop rock duo Sonny & Cher with the success of their song "I Got You Babe". She subsequently established herself as a solo recording artist and became a television star in 1971 with The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, a variety show for which she won a Golden Globe. A well-received performance in the film Silkwood earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress of 1983. In the following years, she starred in a string of hit films including Mask, The Witches of Eastwick, and Moonstruck, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress of 1987.

Ice Cube Curling Center for 2014 Olympics in Russia

Ice Cube Curling Center

After the Games: The building might be moved to another region.

postmarked in 2013 with a Russia 'bear' stamp

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The Ice Cube Curling Center is a 3,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Sochi, Russia that is currently under construction.

After it is completed, it will host all the curling events at the 2014 Winter Olympics and the wheelchair curling events at the 2014 Winter Paralympics. It will cost $14.0 million to build the venue, including the temporary works for the Olympics and Paralympics.  After the 2014 games, it will remain a sports arena but it may be re-located.

White-bellied Sea Eagle from Langkawi Island, Malaysia

Langkawi Island: Malaysia

A White-bellied Sea Eagle swoops to catch a small fish.

This was postmarked in 2013 with a Malaysia Katak Tanduk (Asian Horned Frog) stamp.

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The White-bellied Sea Eagle is an opportunistic carnivore and consumes a wide variety of animal prey, including carrion.  It often catches a fish by flying low over the water and grasping it in its talons. It prepares for the strike by holding its feet far forward (almost under its chin) and then strikes backwards while simultaneously beating its wings to lift upwards. It may also dive at a 45 degree angle from its perch and briefly submerge to catch fish near the water surface.  While hunting over water on sunny days, it often flies directly into the sun or at right angles to it, seemingly to avoid casting shadows over the water and hence alerting potential prey.  And with a wingspan that ranges from 1.78 to 2.2 m (5.8 to 7.2 ft), that is a big bird to not cast a shadow!

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Langkawi is an archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. 

Malaysia stamp 2007, 

Frog, Katak Tanduk (Asian Horned Frog) 50 sen

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This strange looking frog has pointy skin that sticks out over its eyes and snout.  This looks like horns, but they are just skin.  They can grow 2 to 5 inches long.  This frog lives in the rain forests of southern Asia.  It is speckled in different shades of brown which help it hide in dead leaves.

Star Trek Movie, 2009

05-08-09
Star Trek Movie

unused

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Star Trek is a 2009 American science fiction film directed by J. J. Abrams, (brilliantly) written by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is the eleventh film based on the Star Trek franchise and features the main characters of the original Star Trek television series, portrayed by a new cast. The film follows James T. Kirk and Spock aboard the USS Enterprise as they combat Nero (Eric Bana), a Romulan from their future who threatens the United Federation of Planets.

The story takes place in an alternate reality due to time travel by both Nero and the original Spock (Leonard Nimoy). The alternate timeline was created in an effort to free the film and the franchise from established continuity constraints while simultaneously preserving original story elements.

Simon Pegg as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy
Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura
Chris Pine as James T. Kirk
Zachary Quinto as Spock
John Cho as Hikaru Sulu
Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov

Angkor Thom Gate in Cambodia

 Angkor Thom Gate

On the road to the Preah Khan Temple

postmarked in 2013 with a matching Cambodia temple stamp

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Angkor Thom (literally: "Great City"), located in present day Cambodia, was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. It was established in the late twelfth century by king Jayavarman VII. It covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors.

The movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider features several characters visiting Angkor Thom during their trip to Cambodia to recover the first piece of the Triangle of Light.

Cambodia stamp 2012

Tourism

Apsara 

Banteay Srei 3000 R

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Banteay Srei or Banteay Srey is a 10th century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Located in the area of Angkor in Cambodia.

Aerial View of the Belize Barrier Reef and the Blue Hole

Belize

Photo: Huber

postmarked in 2013 with a Belize map stamp

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The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs straddling the coast of Belize. It is 300 kilometers (190 mi) long, making it one of the largest coral reef systems in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the New Caledonia Barrier Reef. 

It is Belize's top tourist destination, popular for scuba diving and snorkeling and attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors.

Here is one more view ...

Belize, land of adventure...

A unique environment for us to preserve.  The Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef.

Photograph by Tony Rath Photography

Star Wars Cast of Characters A to Z Drawn Like Anime

The Back of this postcard only reads Star Wars, but I found out it is a list of characters drawn from A to Z by Joe Wight. (It took me a while, but I figured them all out)....

A. - Admiral Ackbar
B. - Boba Fett
C. - Chewbacca
D.  - Darth Vader
E. - Emperor Palpatine
F. - 4-LOM Droid
G. - Greedo
H. - Han Solo
I. - IG-88
J. - Jabba The Hutt
K. - Klaatu
L. - Luke Skywalker
M. - Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
N. - Nien Nunb
O. - Obi-Wan Kenobi
P. - Princess Leia
Q. - Quarren
R. - R2-D2
S. - Stormtrooper
T. - C-3PO (ThreePO)
U. - Ugnaught
V. - General Maximilian Veers
W. - Wicket W. Warrick (Ewok)
X.  - X-Wing Starfighter Pilot Biggs Darklighter
Y. - Yoda
Z. - Zuckuss

This unused postcard was bought in 2012.

Star Wars was created by George Walton Lucas, Jr. (born May 14, 1944).

City Hall in Belfast, Ireland

City Hall, Belfast

In 1888 Queen Victoria gave the town of Belfast the status of City.  In response the citizens built the magnificent City Hall which today dominates the heart of Belfast.  Work started in 1898 and the building was completed in 1906.  The building covers an area of about one acre and a half and is set in gardens which are open to the public.  It was built in the Classical Renaissance style in Portland stone and is rectangular in shape, enclosing a quadrangular courtyard.  A Porte-Cachere marks the Grand Entrance.

Photo Esler Crawford

Unused John Hinde postcard, from 2012

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Porte-cochère: a roofed structure extending from the entrance of a building that is over part of a driveway to shelter those getting in or out of vehicles.

Seminole Nation in The Everglades Celebrates Mothers Day

"Seminole Nation" holds "Mother's Day", Florida

The only "Indian Nation," that has not signed a Peace Treaty with the U. S. A. still carries on in primitive fashion, the tribal lure of its ancestors in the Everglades, Florida.

unused

Xel-Ha, (Xelha) in Mexico

Xel-Ha, Mexico

postmarked in 2013 with a Mexico stamp

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Xelha is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization, located on the eastern coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the present-day state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. 

The etymology of the site's name comes from Yukatek Maya, combining the roots xel ("spring") and ha' ("water").

from their website:

Xel-Ha, one of the amazing attractions in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Mexico, a natural aquarium park considered the largest aquarium in the world, the perfect place to perform activities in Riviera Maya. If you love nature, there is no better place than Xel-Ha to practice snorkeling and water activities like swimming with dolphins, Snuba (combination of snorkeling and diving) or Sea Trek (walking under water).

Wise Old Owl - National Postcard Week

National Postcard Week, May 6-12, 2012

A wise old owl
Lived in an Oak

The more he saw
The less he spoke

The less he spoke
The more he heard.

Why can't we all
Be like that wise old bird?

Nursery Rhyme Series 1
from Joyce in Texas

limited edition #87 of 100

unused

National Postcard Week - 2013, Go Geochaching!

Explore New Worlds
Go Geocaching!

Happy National Postcard Week
May 5-11, 2013
from Kelly Glazner

In 2010 my husband and I decided to try a new hobby.  We downloaded the coordinates into an iPhone and set out to find one geochache. Little did we know finding that old toolbox under a bush in the desert would lead to exploring places we didn't even know existed close to home, then across the southwest US.  We have climbed mountains, forded rivers, followed our GPS underneath a mall, and explored mine tunnels in persuit of these little containers.  Want to know more? Learn more at geocaching.com.  All you need is a GPS or smart phone to get started. But it helps to remember a pen.

Limited edition #11 of 100

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A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook where the geocacher enters the date they found it and signs it with their established code name. After signing into the log, the cache must be placed back exactly where the person found it. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers (Tupperware or similar) or ammunition boxes can also contain items for trading, usually toys or trinkets of little value.

Celebrate 30 Years of National Postcard Week

Celebrate 30 Years
NCPW (NPCW) 30 May 5-13 (should read 11th) ,2013

Coupon (This is raised from the actual postcard!)
You are entitled to:
Stress Free Hours!
from Jackie

the following is from http://NationalPostcardWeek.com (be sure to go to this site and read more!)

NPCW began as a way for sellers and collectors to promote the hobby of postcard collecting.

Some of those Pioneers were DeeDee Parker of Western Reserve Post Card Society, John McClintock, Roy Cox and Richard Novick. An excerpt from the IFPD Newsletter of March 1, 1983 written by John McClintock. " For the past year we have been working on a Postcard Day, Week or Month to help promote the hobby/business. DeeDee Parker graciously accepted the task of correlating the thoughts of the postcard collectors/dealers in the matter. It seems the majority wishes to have a Postcard Week and that it be held the First full week of May. This will be a lot of fun and insure perpetuation of the hobby in the future.

Matrix Reloaded Movie and Keanu Reeves

Matrix Reloaded
This is a 3D postcard that when you tilt it makes it look like the code is running down the card.

postmarked in 2012 from Croatia with a 4.60 Posavina stamp

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The Matrix Reloaded is a 2003 American science fiction action film and the second installment in The Matrix trilogy, written and directed by The Wachowskis. It premiered on May 7, 2003, in Westwood, Los Angeles, California.

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Harold Perrineau, Randall Duk Kim and Jada Pinkett Smith

The film earned an estimated $5 million during Wednesday night previews in North America. Then grossed $37,508,303 on its Thursday opening day in North America. Ultimately, the film grossed $281.5 million in the US, and $742.1 million worldwide.

main plot (of many plots) in one sentence:
Neo and the rebel leaders estimate that they have 72 hours until 250,000 probes discover Zion and destroy it and its inhabitants.
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Croatia - Stamp 2010

Posavina 4.60
from the 'Croatian Ethnographic Heritage' series

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Posavina is a Slavic name for the region of the Sava river basin in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia that is adjacent or near the Sava river itself.
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Here is a postcard of the main star in the movie series....

Keanu Reeves

unused

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Keanu Charles Reeves (born September 2, 1964) is a Canadian film actor. Reeves is perhaps best known for his role in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure as well as Speed, Point Break and the science fiction-action trilogy The Matrix.

In addition to his film roles, Reeves has also performed in theatre. His performance in the title role in a Manitoba Theatre Centre production of Hamlet was praised by Roger Lewis, the Sunday Times, who declared Reeves " … one of the top three Hamlets I have seen, for a simple reason: he is Hamlet."

On January 31, 2005, Reeves received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The New Hindenburg from Germany with Nazi Flags (1936)

(Notice the name 'Hindenburg' is not yet printed on the side of the zeppelin)

Das neue deutsche Zeppelin-Luftschiff, "Hindenburg" L.Z. 129
Das groBte Luftschiff der Welt.

Lange 248 m.  Hohe 44,7 m, groBter Durchmesser 41,2.
Vortriebsmaschinen: 4 Mercedes-Benz Dieselmotore von je 1100 PS Geschwindigkeit von etwa 130 Stdkm.

Foto Scherl

Translation:
The new German Zeppelin airship "Hindenburg" LZ 129
The biggest airship in the world.

Length m 248th Height 44.7 m, maximum diameter 41.2.
Boring Machines: 4 Mercedes-Benz diesel engines of 1,100 hp speed of about 130 Stdkm.

Photo Scherl

unused, from 1936

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LZ 129 Hindenburg (Luftschiff Zeppelin #129; Registration: D-LZ 129) was a large German commercial passenger-carrying rigid airship, the lead ship of the Hindenburg class.

The airship flew from March 1936 until destroyed by fire 14 months later on May 6, 1937, at the end of the first North American transatlantic journey of its second season of service. Thirty-six people died in the accident, which occurred while landing at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Manchester Township, New Jersey, United States.

Hindenburg was named after the late Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg (1847–1934), President of Germany (1925–1934).