K-131
LANDING OF ZEPPELIN XVI IN LUNÉVILLE
1913 Cast bronze medal, 50.5mm, 51.50g, Kaiser 382, Frankenhuis 467.
Obverse: Within a beaded border a French Gallic coq speaks to a German eagle, “Par ici c’est la terre Francaise, Compris-“ (This is French soil, do you understand?). The eagle replies, “Sehr richtig, aber mein Schiff ist deutscher boden, VERSTANDEN!!!” (Right indeed, but my ship is German territory, UNDERSTOOD!!!). ZXVI in Luneville, 3. April 1913 is in exergue. Raised GOETZ on marker placed at extreme top, left, of exergue.
Reverse: Within a beaded border a zeppelin airship involuntarily lands in Luneville as armed French troops and Hussar's scurry toward it. A military observation airplane flies above. Inscription: “Vive la politesse Francaise" (Cheers for the French politeness).
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This piece is also known in the following compositions and sizes:
50mm Cast silver, edge-punched, "SILBER 890"
50mm Struck bronze
50mm Struck copper
50mm Struck versilbert white metal
50mm Struck silver, rim-stamped, "SILBER 890"
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KNOWN VARIETY
K-131a
1913 Cast Silver medal, 50.0mm, 33.40g, Rim-punched: 'SILBER 890'.
Obverse: Same as K-131 except the text Reads; "PAR ICI C'EST LA TERRE", instead of "PAR ICI CE LA TERRE"
Reverse: Same as K-131
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Kallir Sale, Lot Z106, Provenance: Saginaw Valley Collection
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This is Goetz’ first WWI satirical medal. The French made quite a clamor when the zeppelin developed engine trouble and was forced to land in Lunéville. Goetz couldn’t hold himself back from making light of the obvious overreaction by the French.
Goetz has the German eagle looking down at the French coq in patronizing fashion as if to say "What do you want, surely you remember who won the war in 1870/71, you'd better step back!" Although the French coq should be in a better position while in its own territory, Goetz depicts it in a submissive stance under the eagle's angry stare as if to say that the Germans are the masters of the situation.