British Passport 1859 in unusual leather case
This remarkable British passport stands out due to its unique leather case protection. I’ve encountered numerous British passports featuring diverse leather cases. Some are even equipped with secret or hidden pockets and occasionally a small pen. These custom-made cases serve the dual purpose of safeguarding the thin passport paper and enhancing its durability. British Passport unusual case
Presentation & Attention
Presenting a passport in an ornate, decorative leather case protects it and commands additional attention and respect from border control officers.
Passport Agents British Passport unusual case
Passport agents, responsible for managing the required visas for travelers, crafted these cases. However, such cases and services came at a cost, making them more suitable for those beyond the ordinary traveler. Yet, this passport case is exceptionally uncommon.
Earl of Malmesbury
Issued under James Howard Harris, 3rd Earl of Malmesbury, in 1841, this passport holds historical significance. Upon his father’s demise, Malmesbury, a Conservative, had recently won election to the House of Commons for Wilton. This victory led to his succession to the peerage.
Political Career British Passport unusual case
Malmesbury’s political career was marked by his service as Foreign Secretary under the Earl of Derby in 1852. He held the same position again from 1858 to 1859. Additionally, he assumed the role of Lord Privy Seal under Derby and Benjamin Disraeli between 1866 and 1868. Furthermore, he held the same position again under Disraeli from 1874 to 1876. In 1852, Malmesbury’s admission to the Privy Council marked him as an influential Tory within the House of Lords. This was during a period when Lord Derby and Disraeli were actively shaping the course of Conservatism. British Passport unusual case
During his two brief terms as Foreign Secretary, Malmesbury pursued a cautious, Conservative policy. His association with the exiled Louis Napoleon led to British acquiescence in the Prince-President’s decision to restore the Empire in 1852. Despite this, it did not deter Malmesbury from maintaining a relatively sympathetic policy to Austria during the events leading up to the Italian War of 1859.
Malmesbury expressed horror at Cavour’s behavior and the ease with which a small country like Piedmont could threaten European peace. His extensive life and the publication of his charmingly written “Memoirs of an Ex-Minister” in 1884 contributed to his reputation. These memoirs, filled with anecdotes and exciting historical material, remain his chief claim to remembrance.
Lord Malmesbury also edited his grandfather’s Diaries and Correspondence in 1844 and published “The First Lord Malmesbury and His Friends” in 1870. He died childless in May 1889 at the age of 82, succeeded in the earldom by his nephew, Edward Harris.
Vintage passports in leather cases
Tom Topol | Passport History Expert & Author.
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