Wallenberg Schutzpass Found In Budapest
Besides meeting up with fellow collector Marco, the main reason for going to Budapest was to pick up an exceptional document. Some weeks ago, I was contacted via my website to ask if I would be interested in a RAOUL WALLENBERG SCHUTZPASS (Protection letter). Yes, you read correctly. A second WALLENBERG was available within just three months! Unbelievable! I know only two passport collectors have this critical document in their collection. Mainly you will find them in Holocaust Museums, but even there, they are scarce to see. Well, here is the picture of the precious collectible.
Besides this document, I could acquire two more documents, which are no less critical regarding life-saving documents during the Holocaust. The following pictures show a CARL LUTZ – SCHUTZBRIEF. The second document (not displayed) is the original copy of the Schutzbrief, which has a printed embassy stamp and signature. rawallenberg schutzpass
Until now, I was already blessed to find these three relevant documents, but the story is not yet finished…
Visiting antique bookstores in Budapest and asking for old passports can be an odd task, but reading further can end in a fascinating result. To make the story short, I also found a SCHUTZBRIEF issued by the SWEDISH RED CROSS and signed by the Swedish righteous VALDEMAR LANGLET. l wallenberg schutzpass
WALLENBERG, LUTZ, and LANGLET are three of the most notable people saving Jews from extermination by the Nazis. All three are most valuable when we talk about the Hungarian Jews, and the State of Israel honors all three as “Righteous among the Nations.”
Again, to make it clear – if you find one of these documents, you should be pleased, but if you find THREE of such significant documents during your research, then you are just speechless! I am thrilled to hand over again some of these outstanding documents to a Holocaust foundation.
THE GLASSHOUSE IN BUDAPEST
In 2005 the Carl Lutz Foundation established a Memorial Room in the former garage of the building. The building of Vadász utca 29 (street) was designed by the architect Lajos Kozma in the 30s of the last century as a business center for the Weiss family, a dealer of glassware products for building construction. The Hungarian legislation banned the Jewish owner from exercising his profession. The Swiss Embassy’s Emigration Department for Representing Foreign Interest opened in the desolated building on July 24, 1944. The Memorial Room shows a small exhibition. However, it is an interesting one, also displaying several original Schutzpasses. I do recommend a visit there.
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM IN BUDAPEST
When I was there on August 3, there was a special event, “Day of Humanity,” with high-ranking officials, including the Hungarian Cultural Minister and German Ambassador. I could follow the speeches live with an English translation headset. Two Hungarian Jews reported about their life at this time back in 1944. They are today 95 and 105 years old.
I have to say the Holocaust exhibition is ok, but the museum is designed in very dark rooms, which I didn’t like. By today I believe the Imperial War Museum (IWM) in London still has one of the best Holocaust exhibitions in Europe. I haven’t seen the museums in Washington or Jerusalem yet. raoul wallenberg schutzpass
My three-day trip to Budapest was very fruitful and educational. I got new contacts to document dealers. The city was sweltering these days (up to 35°C), and now I am relaxing in refreshing Berlin, where I am writing this article.
Tom Topol | Passport History Expert & Author.
Featured in media incl. CNN, BBC, Newsweek. Awarded by the U.S. Department of State.
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