Ephemera Society UK: Collecting old passports

In collaboration with THE EPHEMERA SOCIETY UK, here is another article on old passports and passport collecting. If you collect Ephemera, then you should take a look at the Society’s new webshop, where you can also sign up for a membership for only £35 a year. The Ephemera Society is excited to welcome new members. Annual membership entitles you to the following benefits: Ephemera Society UK passports

Four issues of The Society’s acclaimed quality magazine, The Ephemerist, a colorful illustrated 32pp quarterly journal with a reputation as a source of expert information on all aspects of ephemera. It brings together new writing by academics and collectors offering insights into their specialist areas of expertise.
The Ephemera Society Handbook which lists names and contact details of fellow members and their specialized collecting interests, as well as a subject index.
Early access to The Society’s two Ephemera Fairs each year, which promote the discovery of fresh collectible material.

By buying a yearly membership, you will be put on the mailing list to receive the next four issues of The Ephemerist. Issues will arrive in Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

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Passport Collecting – How to Start?

If you want to become a serious collector of passports, then I always recommend beginners to collect quality instead of quantity! Collecting is a leisure activity, but at the same time, you also invest money, and no matter what you collect, quality items are always preferred as they have value – historically and economically.

What to collect?

I recommend setting a collection focus which you can extend in time. If you start at the beginning with everything, then you will quickly lose your overview. I focus on German including East
German passports of any period. No ID-Cards or other documents – only passports. Other collectors are looking, e.g., just for diplomatic passports or consular passports (issued abroad). In my collection, I still miss a few German Empire passport booklets of the smaller states like Waldeck-Pyrmont, which are very difficult to find!

Where to Find Old Passports?

Your local flea market might be a good start also online auctions offer such old documents. In time, you will be able to build or join a collector’s community, and then you can even swap documents. The classic auction houses are an excellent source too when it comes to medium and high-end collectibles. Ephemera Society UK passports

Tom Topol | Passport History Expert & Author.
Featured in media incl. CNN, BBC, Newsweek. Awarded by the U.S. Department of State.
"Want to go deeper? My book Let Pass or Die covers the full 400-year history"

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