Fantastic U.S. Passport 1858 – Legation St. Petersburg

Rare and exquisite travel documents like this one don’t cross the path of collectors very often. The rarity factor becomes even more pronounced when it pertains to United States passports issued within Russia, specifically in St. Petersburg.
Francis W. Pickens US Passport Legation St Petersburg
U.S. Minister to Russia US Passport Legation St Petersburg
In 1856, President Buchanan appointed Pickens as the U.S. Minister to Russia, a role he held until 1860. At that time, he returned to South Carolina and was subsequently elected as the governor. During his governorship, he staunchly supported secession and issued the command to open fire on the Union vessel, the “Star of the West,” as it attempted to deliver reinforcements to Fort Sumter. Additionally, he issued a demand to Major Anderson to surrender the fort, marking the onset of the Civil War. Following the war’s conclusion, Pickens retired to his plantation, where he resided until his passing in 1869. US Passport Legation St Petersburg
The Passport
(Translation of French Text)
The Great Seal of the United States: E Pluribus Unum with 26 Stars
Passport No. 5.
Legation of the United States of America in Russia. The undersigned, F W Pickens Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Court of His Majesty the Emperor of all Russia, pray all those who are asked to let pass surely and freely and if necessary give aid and protection to Mister John L Jarvis, citizen of United States going to England carrying the dispatches.
Given under my signature and imprint of the Seal of the Legation in St Petersburg on 6th, November 1858, the 83rd year of the Independence of the United States. W Pickens
The history of the American passport…
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