Description
SANKE CARD – ADOLPHE PÉGOUD
Willy Sanke produced the most famous aviation postcards of aviators. Aviator postcards were generally numbered between 300-600. This is a most unusual Sanke Card — it has no number. It clearly says “Sanke,” but the missing number is a bit of a puzzle. Not only does this card lack a number, its subject is a Frenchman!
Adolphe Pégoud (1889-1915) was a well-known, pre war, French pilot. He joined the French Air Service shortly after WW I began. He first flew single-seater, then two-seater, scouts. He was the first French pilot to achieve ace status. He was shot down in 1915 by one of his pre war German students.
The postcard shows him in the cockpit of his aircraft. He is identified by name. The postcard was never mailed and is in excellent condition. This card may well have preceded German aviator Sanke Cards.
