A Road Trip with a German passport in the 1970s
Unlike the citizens of East Germany living behind the Iron Curtain, West Germans traveled extensively throughout the Cold War. By 1970, West Germany’s Hallstein Doctrine had ended, meaning West Germans were free to interact liberally with nations that had recognized the DDR.
The early 1970s also saw the rise of Détente and West Germany’s ‘Ostpolitik,’ which also relaxed tensions between the East and the West. This era of Détente was formalized in 1975 by the Conference on Security and Cooperation (CSCE), which led to the signing of the Helsinki Accords. Interestingly, President Ford of the USA was seated next to the DDR’s leader, Erich Honecker.
During this time, this 24-year-old West German student made the most of this travel freedom, embarking on numerous road trips throughout Europe and even North Africa. As can be seen from the multiple border stamps he amassed en route, we know, for example, that this young man drove from West Germany to Calais (France) in 1978, embarking on a ferry to Dover (UK). He also moved extensively throughout Eastern Europe, going to the DDR, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. He obtained a visa from the Czechoslovak commercial representation in Frankfurt (West Germany) to enter Czechoslovakia. He later got a Polish visa from Poland’s embassy in Bonn.
He drove through Podkoren (Austro-Slovenia border) on his way down to the beaches of Yugoslavia. Lastly, and most interesting, he went to Spain in 1974 and took a ferry to the Spanish territory of Ceuta (North Africa) before entering Morocco at the Bab-Sebta checkpoint.
Though Détente had considerably relaxed the Cold War tensions of the 1950s and 1960s, such exotic journeys were still considered impossible luxuries to the men and women living and working behind the Iron Curtain. They would have to wait until 1989 to travel and discover the world. road trip German passport
FAQ Passport History
Passport collection, passport renewal, old passports for sale, vintage passport, emergency passport renewal, same day passport, passport application, pasaporte passeport паспорт 护照 パスポート جواز سفر पासपोर्ट
1. What are the earliest known examples of passports, and how have they evolved?
The word "passport" came up only in the mid 15th Century. Before that, such documents were safe conducts, recommendations or protection letters. On a practical aspect, the earliest passport I have seen was from the mid 16th Century. Read more...
2. Are there any notable historical figures or personalities whose passports are highly sought after by collectors?
Every collector is doing well to define his collection focus, and yes, there are collectors looking for Celebrity passports and travel documents of historical figures like Winston Churchill, Brothers Grimm, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Read more...
3. How did passport designs and security features change throughout different periods in history, and what impact did these changes have on forgery prevention?
"Passports" before the 18th Century had a pure functional character. Security features were, in the best case, a watermark and a wax seal. Forgery, back then, was not an issue like it is nowadays. Only from the 1980s on, security features became a thing. A state-of-the-art passport nowadays has dozens of security features - visible and invisible. Some are known only by the security document printer itself. Read more...
4. What are some of the rarest and most valuable historical passports that have ever been sold or auctioned?
Lou Gehrig, Victor Tsoi, Marilyn Monroe, James Joyce, and Albert Einstein when it comes to the most expensive ones. Read more...
5. How do diplomatic passports differ from regular passports, and what makes them significant to collectors?
Such documents were often held by officials in high ranks, like ambassadors, consuls or special envoys. Furthermore, these travel documents are often frequently traveled. Hence, they hold a tapestry of stamps or visas. Partly from unusual places.
6. Can you provide insights into the stories behind specific historical passports that offer unique insights into past travel and migration trends?
A passport tells the story of its bearer and these stories can be everything - surprising, sad, vivid. Isabella Bird and her travels (1831-1904) or Mary Kingsley, a fearless Lady explorer.
7. What role did passports play during significant historical events, such as wartime travel restrictions or international treaties?
During war, a passport could have been a matter of life or death. Especially, when we are looking into WWII and the Holocaust. And yes, during that time, passports and similar documents were often forged to escape and save lives. Example...
8. How has the emergence of digital passports and biometric identification impacted the world of passport collecting?
Current modern passports having now often a sparkling, flashy design. This has mainly two reasons. 1. Improved security and 2. Displaying a countries' heritage, icons, and important figures or achievements. I can fully understand that those modern documents are wanted, especially by younger collectors.
9. Are there any specialized collections of passports, such as those from a specific country, era, or distinguished individuals?
Yes, the University of Western Sidney Library has e.g. a passport collection of the former prime minister Hon Edward Gough Whitlam and his wife Margaret. They are all diplomatic passports and I had the pleasure to apprise them. I hold e.g. a collection of almost all types of the German Empire passports (only 2 types are still missing). Also, my East German passport collection is quite extensive with pretty rare passport types.
10. Where can passport collectors find reliable resources and reputable sellers to expand their collection and learn more about passport history?
A good start is eBay, Delcampe, flea markets, garage or estate sales. The more significant travel documents you probably find at the classic auction houses. Sometimes I also offer documents from my archive/collection. See offers... As you are already here, you surely found a great source on the topic 😉
Other great sources are: Scottish Passports, The Nansen passport, The secret lives of diplomatic couriers
11. Is vintage passport collecting legal? What are the regulations and considerations collectors should know when acquiring historical passports?
First, it's important to stress that each country has its own laws when it comes to passports. Collecting old vintage passports for historical or educational reasons is safe and legal, or at least tolerated. More details on the legal aspects are here...
Does this article spark your curiosity about passport collecting and the history of passports? With this valuable information, you have a good basis to start your own passport collection.
Question? Contact me...