Fabled German military pilot (1892–1918), known as the ‘Red Baron,’ who shot down 80 enemy planes in World War I before he was killed in action at age 25. Signed book: Der Rote Kampffliger. First edition. Berlin: Berlaa Ullftein & Co., 1917. Softcover, 4.25 x 6.5, 185 pages. Signed at the top of the title page in black ink “Fhr. v. Richthofen,” adding what appears to be an inscription underneath. In very good condition, with uniform toning to pages, moderate wear and creasing to covers, and some light creasing and partial separation to spine.
The German-language title of this tome more accurately describes the moniker used by the pilot in his brief lifetime—‘Der Rote Kampfflieger,’ or ‘The Red Battle Flyer.’ Written as World War I still raged, the book is said to have suffered from the propaganda and censorship of the era. For his part, even though the work was attributed to Richthofen, the German captain said following its publication that its tone was too contemptuous, and that he was no longer such an insolent individual. As Richthofen did not survive the war, this is the only work of its kind directly attributable to him, and signed copies are virtually unobtainable. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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