British Courier Passport Of Ernest Frederick Gye

British Courier Passport Gye
This British courier passport was issued on 7th December 1910 for travel to St. Petersburg, Russia, maybe in connection with the arrival of Sir George Buchanan, the new British Ambassador.

The courier was Ernest Frederick Gye who was also ambassador in Tangier in 1933 and from 1936 to 1939 in Venezuela. Gye’s mother was the singer Dame Emma Albani and his father was Ernest Gye, the lessee of Covent Garden theater. Gye entered the Foreign Office in 1903, became Second Secretary in 1908 and Councillor in 1924. British Courier Passport Gye

He served for some years in Tehran in the earlier part of his career before being appointed Minister and Consul General in Tangier in 1933. Three years later, he was made Minister Plenipotentiary in Venezuela, retiring in 1939.

A courier passport like this is quite rare and challenging to come by these days. It is also in excellent condition and was issued to a diplomat with a thirty-six-year career spanning various posts worldwide. In over twenty years of research and collecting, I have encountered only three/four documents of this type.

History British Courier Passport Gye

The history of the British courier passport is a fascinating niche within the broader context of diplomatic documentation. A courier passport is a specialized travel document issued to couriers transporting diplomatic dispatches, ensuring the secure and official transfer of sensitive information between embassies, consulates, and the home government.

Diplomatic couriers were crucial for maintaining secure lines of communication, especially before the advent of electronic communication. These couriers carried sealed diplomatic pouches that were inviolable under international law, ensuring that sensitive information could be transmitted without risk of interception or tampering.

A British courier passport typically bore distinctive features that set it apart from regular diplomatic or ordinary passports. These might include special markings, notations, or stamps indicating the bearer’s status as a courier. The document would often detail the routes and countries the courier was authorized to travel through.

Rareness and collectability

Due to their specialized nature and the limited number issued, British courier passports are rare and highly sought after by collectors and historians. The documents often provide unique insights into the diplomatic history and international relations of their time.

The value of a courier passport can be significantly affected by its condition and provenance. Passports issued to notable diplomats or those that traveled through significant historical events can be particularly prized.

Researching courier passports can be challenging due to their rarity and the often confidential nature of their use. However, they provide a rich vein of historical information for those dedicated to uncovering the details of diplomatic history.

In conclusion, the British courier passport is a specialized and historically significant document that played a crucial role in the secure transmission of diplomatic communications. Its rarity and the unique stories attached to each passport make it a fascinating subject for both collectors and historians.

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