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Rare 1930 Kimono Men's Haori Jacket R100 Blimp Voyage stock #L8J2blimpHao
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A fascinating piece of world history is depicted on this stunning Japanese men’s silk haori. The hand woven back panel is divided into 3 scenes; the most dominate being a peaceful scent of Mount Fuji with a Japanese coin centered below it. The lower left scene is 1920s New York City skyline with coins. On the lower right is a scene with 1930 Montreal, Canada skyline, a Queen Victoria coin, and the R100 zeppelin. The R100 was built in 1927 by the Britain as the first of a commercial fleet of dirigibles. Nicked-named the ‘The Cupid Airship’ because 20 workers were married during construction, the R100 was the best airship ever made in Britain. In December 1929 it flew successfully to New York City, on to Montreal, then back to Britain. Because of the successful flight of the R100, it was decided that the newer larger R101 blimp was ready to embark on its first commercial voyage, despite much criticism that it had not completed enough trial flights. The R101 crashed in France on its maiden voyage, October 1930 in one of the worst airship disasters in history. All airship production in Britain stopped and, as a result, the successful R100 depicted on this jacket was converted into scrap metal. In excellent condition, this is a rare one-of-kind collector's piece. The golden bronze silk lining extends around to the front of the haori, while the back panel is hand woven in varying shades of taupe, bronze, gold, black, and silvery gray silk threads. The outside of the garment is black satin silk with the traditional 5 white mon (family crest). |
