Meet the Historian Behind 500 Years of Passport History – Tom Topol
Recognition and Advisory Work
I have advised the U.S. Department of State and numerous museums and foundations worldwide. Furthermore, I was formally recognized by the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs for my contribution to a passport history exhibition in Washington, D.C.
My work has been referenced by the European Commission, USA Today, and Newsweek, among others. See the complete recognition list.
tom topol passport historian
A 100 years old ritual just ended
Click the picture to see my interview with CNN on vanishing passport stamps in Europe. – June 2026 –
Origin and Expertise tom topol passport historian
I began collecting in 2003. My archive includes travel documents dating back to 1646, spanning nearly 400 years of travel history. I founded passport-collector.com in 2010 to preserve that history and make it accessible to researchers, collectors, and the public.
My research treats passports not merely as administrative paperwork, but as historical records of state power, identity formation, migration, security design, and individual lives.
The Book
I am the author of Let Pass or Die, the first comprehensive history of the passport. The book traces the evolution of passport documents from their earliest known forms through the modern security era, covering more than 500 years of state control, identity, and movement.
The expanded e-book edition and more passport history books are available on this page.
The Website
Passport-collector.com hosts more than 1,000 rigorously researched articles on passport design, regulation, and geopolitical context. It is the largest independent online resource for passport history. The platform generates today 1.5 million visits per year. Use the search function at Passport-collector.com to find your topic.
How Can I Help You?
I support collectors, researchers, museums, and media in understanding passports as cultural and historical artifacts. Including providing details and samples.