DLV Deutscher Luftsportverband Original Portrait Photograph of Free Balloon Pilot and DLV Flight Captain Oberstleutnant (Ret.) Dr. Alfred Hildebrandt
Very fine full-length portrait in uniform with complete array of decorations, postcard size, condition 2+.
Includes the original bookplate (ex-libris) of Hildebrandt featuring aircraft, balloon and Zeppelin. Two original photographic postcards of Hildebrandt with Orville Wright and his wife during their 1909 flight over Berlin Tempelhof, as well as one together with Graf Zeppelin aboard an airship.
Dr. Alfred Hildebrandt was one of Germany's first aviation pioneers. Born on July 10, 1870, he was active as a free balloon pilot and aeronaut well before World War I. In 1909, he became Germany's first airplane passenger, flying at an altitude of 5 to 10 meters in the second seat of the Wright Brothers' aircraft over Berlin-Tempelhof! During World War I he served with the Fliegertruppe, first as commander of a fortress airship detachment, later as commander of FEA 2, commandant of Feldflugplatz Johannisthal, etc. Decorated with the Iron Cross 1914 1st and 2nd Class, the German Observer and Pilot's Commemorative Badge, the Austrian Field Pilot's Badge, Wound Badge in Black, Turkish Iron Crescent and additional decorations. In 1940 appointed to the rank of Oberstleutnant of the Luftwaffe. As an airship expert, he was also active as a journalist and book author. Dr. Hildebrandt passed away in the 1950s in Saarland. Included is one fine reproduction photograph of Hildebrandt as a Hauptmann during World War I wearing full decorations, from the book “Unsere Luftstreitkräfte 1914-18”.
Includes the original bookplate (ex-libris) of Hildebrandt featuring aircraft, balloon and Zeppelin. Two original photographic postcards of Hildebrandt with Orville Wright and his wife during their 1909 flight over Berlin Tempelhof, as well as one together with Graf Zeppelin aboard an airship.
Dr. Alfred Hildebrandt was one of Germany's first aviation pioneers. Born on July 10, 1870, he was active as a free balloon pilot and aeronaut well before World War I. In 1909, he became Germany's first airplane passenger, flying at an altitude of 5 to 10 meters in the second seat of the Wright Brothers' aircraft over Berlin-Tempelhof! During World War I he served with the Fliegertruppe, first as commander of a fortress airship detachment, later as commander of FEA 2, commandant of Feldflugplatz Johannisthal, etc. Decorated with the Iron Cross 1914 1st and 2nd Class, the German Observer and Pilot's Commemorative Badge, the Austrian Field Pilot's Badge, Wound Badge in Black, Turkish Iron Crescent and additional decorations. In 1940 appointed to the rank of Oberstleutnant of the Luftwaffe. As an airship expert, he was also active as a journalist and book author. Dr. Hildebrandt passed away in the 1950s in Saarland. Included is one fine reproduction photograph of Hildebrandt as a Hauptmann during World War I wearing full decorations, from the book “Unsere Luftstreitkräfte 1914-18”.
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