Germany, Imperial. A Rare Wartime Signed Photo of Fighter Ace Hans-Joachim Buddecke

(Luftstreitkräfte Bild mit Unterschrift). A rare wartime signed photo depicting Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Buddecke, a fighter ace credited with 13 victories, depicted in uniform and with a variety of decorations clearly visible, the image overlaid by Buddecke’s handwritten signature in black ink, the reverse in postcard format, unused, measuring 84 mm (w) x 136 mm (h), a scarce signature in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Buddecke was only the third German flying ace to earn the Pour le Mérite, after Max Immelmann and Oswald Boelcke. His 13 victories came on both the Western Front and in the Gallipoli theatre while briefly serving with the Ottoman Aviation Squadrons. He was killed in action on 10 March 1918 above Lens, France, after being downed by a Sopwith Camel of the Royal Naval Air Service.