Germany, Imperial. A Rare Wartime Signed Postcard Of Fighter Ace Werner Voß

(Fliegerass Postkarte mit Unterschrift). A rare wartime signed postcard of fighter ace Werner Voß, depicted in uniform and with the Pour le Mérite and other decorations clearly visible, the lower part of the image overlaid by Voß’ handwritten signature in black ink, the obverse with studio marks indicating that it is part of the series of First World War notable figure postcards issued by W. Sanke, Berlin, the reverse unused, measuring 86 mm (w) x 136 mm (h), a rare dedicated image in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Having begun his military career as a Hussar at the age of 17 on 16 November 1914, Werner Voß transferred to the Luftstreitkräfte on 1 August 1915. A naturally gifted pilot, he flew his first solo flight on 28 September, less than a month after his first lesson. He graduated from flying school on 12 February 1916, and was thereafter retained as an instructor, and was notably the youngest flight instructor in German military service. Voß began flying combat missions that spring, quickly distinguishing himself and cultivating a friendship with Manfred von Richthofen (the “Red Baron”). The latter considered Voß his only true competitor for the distinction of Germany’s top fighter ace. Appropriately, in the span of his combat career, Voß amassed a total of 48 confirmed victories, winning the Pour le Mérite on 8 April 1917. The jubilation was short-lived; Voß was killed after prolonged aerial aerial combat with a squadron of British Royal Flying Corps aces, in which he managed to damage virtually all of his pursuers, on 23 September 1917. The signature offered is a rare example of a dedicated image of the legendary fighter pilot at the height of his career.