My name is Tom, German national, familiar with the world as I was working with several international companies in different countries.
I’am passionate passport collector since 2005 when I explored the “Art” in old passports at some flea market. Such a document tell’s you the story of it’s bearer and it’s interesting history. Who was he/she? What did they work? Why they traveled to China, India or USA in 1924? Where was the passport issued and from whom? Of course there are many more questions to ask on geography and political issues…so it`s much more than just collecting it`s also my research on travel documents.
Today our passports are uniform beside the individual passport stamps and visas of course but look at an old passport back in 19th century – at that time they were really some kind of “Art” and unique. Handwritten on nice paper with colorful stamps, signatures and beautiful photographs.
Every collector has to define his own range of collection – you can’t have it all. Ask yourself “What is the purpose of my collection?” Focus on quality not quantity!
My main focus is on “German documents”. My private collection has 400+ passports. The earliest one is from 1646.
Passport-collector.com is well recognized by international collectors and other interested parties. I am in regular contact with different museums and archives such as the German Foreign Office – Political Archive in Berlin, I am advisor to Foundations and support/supported Hollywood film makers, Universities, Libraries and TV stations such as BBC.
Several articles on passport history and passport collecting were issued on different collector websites. I can say I do have the most comprehensive documentation and database when it comes to travel documents. At my website you will find several guidelines on passports.
A famous man once said “If you don’t find what you looking for – create it – be it!” So I did as there was nothing available at all. All is done by my private time and efforts.
THANKS to all fellow collectors for their contribution with articles and pictures as this keeps the site vivid.
Please take also a look at the Legal Notice.
Tom
Passport Collector & Editor
Member of the Ephemera Society of America
Member of the Ephemera Society of UK
Hi there
I’m can see by your website that you’re the world expert on passports! I am a valuer of manuscripts and art here in Australia. I have never valued a passport before. I am currently valuing the collection of one of our ex-Prime Ministers for donation to a library. This Prime Minister is seen historically as an important one. Can you help me to evaluate?
Hi Adrienne
thank you for your kind words. Indeed I can tell I am the source when it comes to passports and their history. Please look at “About this site” where you can learn more about me. I was already supporting many different interested parties.
I really envy you for your task
Would love to see this great collection.
More by private email…
hi there, we are looking for an old Ethiopian Passport that would have been used in the 1960′s. We are currently shooting a movie and are looking for reference to recreate. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Your website is very informative and interesting. Thank you kate
Dear Kate
thank you very much for your message and kind words. I do myself not have such a passport but I will ask my collector friends. I got a few times such requests and I am proud to say even from a famous Hollywood studio and BBC, which I did support. Be patient a bit and we might be successful.
Oh, I see you are the guy with the great website! Regards Bruce.
Thank you, Bruce.
Any advice you can give for selling a passport of a famous person? I own a passport issued to the actor James “Jimmy” Stewart. Issued in the 1950′s. I would be intersted in finding out what it is worth. Thank you. All the best!
Dear Christopher
thank you very much for your interesting message.
A Jimmy Stewart passport is surely something outstanding.
Did you saw my celebrity passport gallery and related auction results on my website?
I have listed many celebrity passports incl. auctions results.
Have a look here…
Gallery: http://www.passport-collector.com/2011/11/22/celebrity-passport-gallery/
Prices: http://www.passport-collector.com/2011/10/24/celebrity-passports-ii/
I belive that gives you a good overview about the value of your item.
I would love to see some pictures and I kindly ask you to send me some for my gallery.
Best regards from Switzerland
Tom
Hello.
I have been following your website for awhile, and I must say, you have quite the collection, and much knowledge on the subject. Thank you for your tremendous service to passport collectors everywhere! I am interested in your Vatican passports (ID numbers 1561, 1564, and 1567 on your passport list).
Your collection is so great. I must ask, where do you find these, and how do you get your hands on them? Is it just plain luck, or is there some way other than ebay and Delcampe to find them?
Thank you in advance for your help regarding the passports. I am a huge fan of your website. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Henry
Dear Henry
thank you very much for you nice comment. I appreciate your statement. I do my best to keep the site attractive for readers and collectors. Well, finding passports is not always that easy. Ebay, Delcampe are two sources but I always got many items from fellow collectors and direct via requests by my website. Nice to have fans like you. Did you already signed up for my newsletter? I will reply to you more in detail by email. Best regards Tom.
Hey Tom, All I can say is wow. I did a little reading and research, to post something interesting on the passport and it’s history, but your site is like a public library on the topic.
Thank you Jason.
I love your website (i’m sorry it’s taken me so long to discover it!) I have been learning so much.
Thank you Peter and Welcome!
Hi Bogdan, you are very welcome.
Hello,
It’s a pleasure finding your site, and I think it’s a great hobby to take interest in old passports. I used to work with an airlines company, and I had developed an interest in passports as well, and I had a habit of taking pictures of the covers of some passports (with the consent of the bearer of course).
I suppose I was wondering if you had an interest in seeing some. Although I will admit my collection is rather small, maybe nearing 70. I will continue looking through your wonderful site for now.
-Abbas
Dear Abbas, very nice to see your message and you are very welcome to contibute with some nice pictures. Thank you for your kind words. Please enjoy the site.
Hi Tom, thanks for this fantastic website. I appreciate the time and efforts it took to make it happen. I’m a passport collector based in Singapore and originally from Zurich….. Best wishes. Gil
Hi Gil, thank you very much for your kind words and i’m glad you like my website. Did you sign up for newsletter already? As i’m in Bangkok we should be able to meet in time here or in Singapore. Regards Tom