Among the most coveted military collectibles of the First World War, the Ehrenbecher für den Sieger im Luftkampf (Honor Goblet for the Victor in Air Combat) occupies a singular place. Awarded to fighter pilots of the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) to recognize their aerial victories, this silver goblet embodies the romance and danger of early aerial combat. The example under consideration is an early silver version, produced between 1915 and 1917, making it a particularly desirable piece for the serious collector.
Origins of the Award
The Honor Goblet owes its existence to an anonymous group of German supporters of the air forces who, in 1915, made funds available to Hermann von der Lieth-Thomsen, the Chef des Feldflugwesens (Chief of Field Air Forces) of the German Army. Von der Lieth-Thomsen had been appointed to this position in March 1915, and it was under his authority that the honorary cup for victories in air combat was created. The first goblet was awarded on 27 January 1916, establishing a tradition that would endure for the remainder of the war and resonate far beyond it.
Physical Description and Craftsmanship
The goblet is a masterfully crafted object of considerable artistic merit. Its most striking feature is the relief decoration of two fighting eagles, with one eagle overtaking the other — a powerful allegory for the triumph of one aviator over his opponent. The inscription “Dem Sieger im Luftkampf” (To the Victor in Air Combat) encircles the tapered grip of the goblet above four spherical standing feet. The approximate dimensions are a diameter of 96.40 mm and a height of 19.3 cm. The goblet is expertly constructed of multiple pieces, with the four lower ball bases featuring a two-piece construction. The silver version weighs approximately 335 grams.
Early versions, such as the present example, were manufactured in 800 silver (80% pure silver) and bear the standard German silver hallmarks: crescent moon, crown, “800,” and eagle. The bottom is stamped with the “Chef des Feldflugwesens” seal. Multiple silversmiths were involved in production, including Bruckmann & Söhne of Heilbronn and Johann Wagner & Sohn of Berlin, with manufacturer marks varying accordingly.
Award Criteria and Wartime Changes
The Honor Goblet was generally given upon a pilot’s first victory in aerial combat, though the actual bestowal of the award might come some time after the victory itself. The goblet was normally given to fighter pilots who had shot down their first opponent, but could also be awarded for further outstanding aerial victories. As the war progressed and air combat became more common, the requirements for earning this distinction increased.
A pivotal change occurred from the end of 1917 onwards. Due to wartime material shortages, the goblets were no longer manufactured in silver but in iron (silver-plated), and they were awarded only after the third aerial victory. By the close of the war, the situation had deteriorated to the point where only the certificates for the goblet were being issued, without the physical object being presented. This evolution from silver to iron, and from first to third victory, dramatically underscores the increasing pressures the German war effort faced in the final year of the conflict.
Notable Recipients
The roster of Honor Goblet recipients reads as a roll call of the most legendary names in German aviation history. Oswald Boelcke, one of Germany’s top aces of World War I and a recipient of the Pour le Mérite, received his goblet on 24 December 1915. Ernst Udet, who would become the second-highest scoring German ace of the war, was awarded his on 17 August 1916. Theo Osterkamp, a naval aviator and Pour le Mérite recipient, received his on 18 April 1917. Other legendary aviators who were honored with this goblet include Hermann Göring, Max Immelmann, and Manfred von Richthofen — the famed “Red Baron.”
Numbers and Rarity
The total number of Honor Goblets awarded during World War I is estimated at approximately 2,411. Collectors should also be aware that a separate and even rarer variant existed: the Ehrenbecher für erfolgreiche Angriffe aus der Luft (Honor Goblet for Successful Attacks from the Air).
Historical Significance and Legacy
The Ehrenbecher served as the primary predecessor to later German aviation awards. These cups were highly prized trophies, comparable in prestige to an official bravery medal. Their significance extended beyond mere decoration — they represented recognition by the highest aviation authority in the Imperial German military.
On 27 February 1940, Hermann Göring — himself a World War I recipient of the Honor Goblet — established the Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe) as a direct successor award. Following World War II, the honor goblets fell out of favor, likely due to their wartime associations. Today, however, they rank among the most sought-after collectibles in military history. Early silver versions, with their superior craftsmanship and historical resonance, command particular attention from collectors worldwide.
