Autographed Udet autobio

fsbof · 14 August 2005, 05:50 AM

This autographed English-translation of Udet's "Ace of the Black Cross" is being offered on eBay from the UK. His German inscription appears to be dated 1937. Does anyone have any opinions about the authenticity of this signature or a reasonable bid? (reserve price unknown at this point). http://cgi.ebay.com/SIGNED-ERNST-UDE...QQcmdZViewItem

TomVrille · 14 August 2005, 01:03 PM

The original German edition of Mein Fliegerleben was printed in 1935, and included an image of Udet's signature on the front cover and introductory page. Udet's signature was, therefore, readily available from 1935 forward. As far as I know, Ace of the Iron Cross didn't come out until 1970. I am not familiar with Ace of the Black Cross. Check the publication date of the English translation you mentioned, the addressee of the autograph, and draw your own conclusions. Caveat emptor!

fsbof · 14 August 2005, 06:46 PM

Thanks for your response, Tom. I ended up not submitting a bid - no one else did either. The book was probably the UK edition of Udet's translated bio. The inscription looked real (at least in the photos on eBay), but there was just no way to verify its authenticity.

Taz · 19 August 2005, 05:59 AM

fsbof, Tom- The book and signature are real. Ace of the Black Cross was first published in 1937 and was translated by a different person than Ace of the Iron Cross. Unfortunately the seller wants about $500 for it. Undoubtedly worth it, just hard to dig up that kind of money. Have a signed photo of Udet from 1922 or so, and that was only ~$125.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Barrett · 25 August 2005, 02:40 PM

Egad--mention of signed items by Famous Fliers set me to finish cataloging & sorting my autographed books & photos. The short version...

Oh...my...GOD!!!!!!

Bader, Barkhorn, Boyington, Carl, Doolittle, Foss, Gabreski, Galland, Hartmann, The Johnsons (Johnnie, Robert S. & Gerald W.), Krupinsky, McCampbell, Rall, Rickenbacker, Rudel, Sakai, Stearman, Steinhoff, Thach, Valencia, Walsh, Zemke, etc. And that's just a partial list of the deceased.

Lesson: start early and keep at it!

Immo_Frese · 25 August 2005, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrett

Bader, Barkhorn, Boyington, Carl, Doolittle, Foss, Gabreski, Galland, Hartmann, The Johnsons (Johnnie, Robert S. & Gerald W.), Krupinsky, McCampbell, Rall, Rickenbacker, Rudel, Sakai, Stearman, Steinhoff, Thach, Valencia, Walsh, Zemke, etc. And that's just a partial list of the deceased.

Lesson: start early and keep at it!

hm..., I think General Günther Rall is still alive...

Immo

fsbof · 25 August 2005, 07:36 PM

Hey Barrett - I started compiling my list of signed books several years ago and you're right, it takes diligence to not get behind. My list is 26 pages - lots of airmen (mostly WWII aces), buncha sailors and soldiers, and authors (even you !).

Barrett · 26 August 2005, 07:14 AM

Immo: You're right (thank goodness!) I'd dearly love to see Rall write another bio; the one by the British gal is marginal at best.

FSBOF: I salute your literary taste, sir!

Immo_Frese · 26 August 2005, 08:07 AM

Barrett,

there is a new book out written by Rall himself. Unfortunately, I don't know if there will be an english translation of his memories...

Look here: Günther Rall. Mein Flugbuch.

Immo

Taz · 26 August 2005, 07:07 PM

Barrett- Nice collection, mate. Gabreski was my father's squadron commander and all the other names are really familiar, too, for some reason. Len Morgan's daughter is selling some really nice items now, if you had not heard. Very tempting. Price the sellers are looking for on the Udet book is actually $1500-2000, so my original estimate was way low. Since that amount of money would probably not touch an Udet signed Sanke, I know which I would rather have.

Taz
Terry Phillips