Von Richthofen Signed Book - Original or not?

[hvm]

This interesting booklet full of signatures of Luftwaffe aces from the First World War is currently on offer. As it is full of original signatures, this is of course a unique piece of history. I myself have very little knowledge of signatures and am therefore curious whether the experienced specialists can say something about whether this booklet and the signatures are original?

Signatures are in this order: Max Immelmann, Manfred Frhr. Von Richthofen, Lothar Frhr. Von Richthofen, Werner Voss, Kurt Wusthoff, Hermann Goering, Otto Brauneck, Kurt WolffHeinrich Gontermann, Oswald Boelcke, Hans Klein, Julius Buckler, Kurt Wintgens, Rudolf Windisch, Heinrich Bongartz, Erich Boenisch, Wilhelm Frankl, Walter Blume, Fritz Rumey, Heinrich Kroll, Eduard Ritter von Schleich, Erich Loewenhardt.

[hvm]

Anyone an opinion about these autographs authenticity?

[MAP]

Amazing piece of history if original. Not sure however if anyone here will be able to authenticate something like this. I would suspect, one would really need to enlist the services of an autograph authentication expert.

[Chopperman]

maybe it's just me but most of those signatures look to be done by the same hand.

[KMMorris]

Hopefully Bart and come in and share his views as I will.

Firstly, unless this book is attributed to someone who has signed this book, the chances of someone being able to collectively get all of these aces to sign, using the same pencil might I add is very slim to none. I could name 10 units that these aviators came from, Jagdstaffel 10, Jasta 11, Jagdgeschwader 1 so on.

Secondly the book would of had to of been made in 1916 for Max Immelmann to sign it and before 1917 for about 60% of these names as their deaths fall in 1916 or 17. If that was the case and it was signed in 1916 it would be far before most of these other aces gained notoriety.

Thirdly, Richtofen and other signatures are very stop start, even with the poor photos you can see where the person has stopped the pencil to change the angle a sign that someone is not use to writing it. The styles between a few in terms of calligraphy and writing style are identical, just different names signed. If this was real, which im certain it is not, it should be commanding 30- 40 thousand dollars.

So my view it is a blatant forgery, the Max Immelmann signature is the biggest give away.

Morris

[hvm]

If this was real, which im certain it is not, it should be commanding 30- 40 thousand dollars.

So my view it is a blatant forgery, the Max Immelmann signature is the biggest give away.

Morris

The minimum bid price is $ 14,000, so if this is a replica I will still lose a lot of money. Thanks for this insight.

[hvm]

I got an accompanying story:

"Once in a lifetime offer on an item that belongs in a museum!

Amazing WWI Aviation autograph book that was purchased from Luftwaffe Ace
Erich Rudorffer several years ago by our consignor.

It was given to him by one of his grateful pilots in
JG54 who inherited it from their father that was a German fighter pilot in WWI.

This book is an absolute gem, a who’s who of the Mighty German WWI Fighter pilot Aces.

Incredibly, this book has been signed by 22 Pour Le Merite ( Blue Max ) Holders. This is a breath taking autograph album."

Erich Rudorffer: Erich Rudorffer - Wikipedia

[KMMorris]

Again i would suggest buy the item not the story.
I was lucky enough thanks to members here to write to and talk with rudorffer many times before his passing. I have dozens of photos from him in my collection.

The Rudorffer awards remain with the family I am quite sure. Where is this item beging offered ?

Also going for an item which is so expensive with little or no knowledge in the area is a very dangerous pass time.

[Danmark]

Hopefully Bart and come in and share his views as I will.

Firstly, unless this book is attributed to someone who has signed this book, the chances of someone being able to collectively get all of these aces to sign, using the same pencil might I add is very slim to none. I could name 10 units that these aviators came from, Jagdstaffel 10, Jasta 11, Jagdgeschwader 1 so on.

Secondly the book would of had to of been made in 1916 for Max Immelmann to sign it and before 1917 for about 60% of these names as their deaths fall in 1916 or 17. If that was the case and it was signed in 1916 it would be far before most of these other aces gained notoriety.

Thirdly, Richtofen and other signatures are very stop start, even with the poor photos you can see where the person has stopped the pencil to change the angle a sign that someone is not use to writing it. The styles between a few in terms of calligraphy and writing style are identical, just different names signed. If this was real, which im certain it is not, it should be commanding 30- 40 thousand dollars.

So my view it is a blatant forgery, the Max Immelmann signature is the biggest give away.

Morris

Brilliant assessment Morris!! .......

Even if they got Max's signature close, he crossed the 'T' in Leutnant differently!

[hvm]

Again i would suggest buy the item not the story.

I agree in not buying the story, but I just wanted to ad the story of the auction house. I am not going to bid for this item for sure now.

Rudorffer has an impressive track record. It must have been an honor to have met him and received pictures from him.

Thank you all for your opinion and sharing knowledge!