I purchased over two decades ago from a well-known German auction house this Ehrenbecher that was awarded to Oberleutnant Richard Falke to celebrate his first aerial victory in combat in WWI. Though he had extensive air service in Palestine after transferring from land forces where he served since earlier in WWI, as an observer he never scored a victory in combat. After his transfer to the Western Front in August 1917 as commander of Kampfstaffel 24, he finally scored his first victory in combat on September 23, 1917. This is well documented. He continued in command and combat, being transferred to BG4, until he and his pilot were shot down and captured in June 1918. He survived both wars. This is his Sanke card photo.
He received numerous awards and honors. Among these was this Ehrenpokal.
At the top is the inscription of the date and location of his first (and only) combat victory.
It is inscribed with his name and command at the bottom of the chalice.
And finally on the bottom is the seal of the Commander of the German Air Services.
On the upcoming December Thies Auction, there is offered at a considerable minimum a grouping of Falke material, including the transmittal letter of the Falke Ehrenbecher and an unnamed silver Ehrenbecher purported to be the one awarded to Falke. It appears to be a correct silver Ehrenbecher, but it is without inscription as are others that have been offered in the past with an without attribution to specific flyers. It is believed that Ehrenbechers conferred later in the war were of iron/steel as silver supplies were exhausted. My Falke Ehrenbecher is steel/iron composition. Included also is the notice of his award of the Imperial Austrian Flyer's badge.
Earlier this year or last year, another piece of Falke material was sold on the Zeige Auktion. It is obvious that Falke's estate was disbursed to many places, documents and respective awards separated. It would do well for a potential bidder to apprise himself of all facts before the auction.
He received numerous awards and honors. Among these was this Ehrenpokal.
At the top is the inscription of the date and location of his first (and only) combat victory.
It is inscribed with his name and command at the bottom of the chalice.
And finally on the bottom is the seal of the Commander of the German Air Services.
On the upcoming December Thies Auction, there is offered at a considerable minimum a grouping of Falke material, including the transmittal letter of the Falke Ehrenbecher and an unnamed silver Ehrenbecher purported to be the one awarded to Falke. It appears to be a correct silver Ehrenbecher, but it is without inscription as are others that have been offered in the past with an without attribution to specific flyers. It is believed that Ehrenbechers conferred later in the war were of iron/steel as silver supplies were exhausted. My Falke Ehrenbecher is steel/iron composition. Included also is the notice of his award of the Imperial Austrian Flyer's badge.
Earlier this year or last year, another piece of Falke material was sold on the Zeige Auktion. It is obvious that Falke's estate was disbursed to many places, documents and respective awards separated. It would do well for a potential bidder to apprise himself of all facts before the auction.
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