The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Red Army
Alexander Pokryshkin (1913–1985): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 6 March 1913, Novonikolayevsk (Novosibirsk) |
|---|---|
| Died | 13 November 1985, Moscow |
| Key role | Fighter pilot; Gold Star of a Hero of the Soviet Union three times |
| Documents bearing his name | Award documents, signed photographs, post-war letters and books |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Alexander Pokryshkin was one of only two Soviet fighter pilots to receive the Gold Star of a Hero of the Soviet Union three times. His official victory tally is debated by historians, but his standing as one of the great aces of the war is not.
Who Was Alexander Pokryshkin?
Pokryshkin was born in Novonikolayevsk (today Novosibirsk) in 1913. He flew throughout the war and received the Gold Star three times. After the war he rose to the rank of Marshal of Aviation.
What Documents Bear Pokryshkin’s Signature?
Award documents, signed photographs and post-war letters and books exist. See Hero of the Soviet Union.
Soviet documents bring their own checks. Signatures are usually in Cyrillic, and official papers combine typed text, printed forms, ink signatures and round seals. A collector should read the Russian text, compare the office named with the date, and remember that Soviet state papers were often reproduced, so many documents carry a printed or stamped signature rather than ink.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Read the Cyrillic text and check the office against the date.
- Distinguish ink signatures from printed or stamped ones.
- Soviet-era reproductions and later commemorative items are common.
- Ask for documented provenance on any important piece.
Later Life
Pokryshkin died in Moscow on 13 November 1985.
Collector’s Note
Victory tallies of aces are often contested. In a description I give the official figure and say clearly that historians debate it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many times was Pokryshkin a Hero of the Soviet Union?
Three times.
Who else received the Gold Star three times as a fighter pilot?
Ivan Kozhedub.
When did Pokryshkin die?
On 13 November 1985.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts of the Soviet period for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology, and it is written in memory of the victims of political repression and war.
References & Further Reading
- Guttman, J. (2006) Aviation History interview with World War II Soviet ace Ivan Kozhedub, HistoryNet.
- Aircrew Remembered, Aleksandr Pokryshkin.