German WWI Sanke Postcard 526 Lothar Freiherr von Richthofen Jasta 11 Ace

Original German photographic portrait postcard of Lothar Freiherr von Richthofen, card No. 526 in the celebrated series of aviator portraits published in Berlin by Willi Sanke (“Postkartenvertrieb W. Sanke, Berlin N. 37”). The caption across the top reads “Leutnant Lothar Frhr. von Richthofen,” and the studio credit at right reads “C. J. von Dühren phot. Berlin.” He is seated in a three-quarter studio portrait, wearing the Pour le Mérite (Order of Merit) at his collar, holding his sword and resting his field cap on his knee. Sanke’s numbered series is the standard reference set for German aviation portrait cards of the period, and it was collected avidly by the German public during the conflict.

Lothar von Richthofen, the younger brother of Manfred, was born in 1894 and, like his brother, began his service in the cavalry, in Dragoner-Regiment von Bredow (1. Schlesisches) Nr. 4. He transferred to the air service, first as an observer and then as a pilot, and in March 1917 he joined Jasta 11 under his brother’s command. His rise was remarkably fast. In the April 1917 fighting over Arras he scored repeatedly, and he received the Pour le Mérite in May 1917, after only a few months as a fighter pilot. He led Jasta 11 during his brother’s absences and finished the conflict with 40 confirmed victories, despite being seriously wounded more than once.

Unlike his brother, Lothar survived the conflict. He later flew as a civilian pilot and lost his life in a flying accident near Hamburg in July 1922. His career shows both the aggressive style that defined Jasta 11 and the remarkable family connection at the heart of Germany’s most famous fighter unit.

Condition is good. The real-photo image remains clear, with the cool gray tone typical of this card, light silvering in the darker areas and toward the edges, and light handling wear. The reverse is unused and was never posted, with a small pencil numeral “22” and a pencil mark at the top edge.

Sanke cards of Lothar von Richthofen are considerably less often seen than those of his brother. This card is a natural companion to Richthofen material and an important piece for collectors building a Jasta 11 or Pour le Mérite aviator series.