Passport Archive

Overview of 900+ well crafted expert articles and passport history! Business Insider says, “Tom’s website is a goldmine on passport history.”

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Not a Member? Join Us Now or subscribe to our Newsletter

Testimonials

I did not expect to get such precious information. Thank you, already for your answers! They were very helpful.
-Jasmin Valjas, Prop master, Finland-

Oh wow, thank you so much! I've tried contacting several antique shops, auction houses and museums about my old passport and this is by far the most helpful information I have received.
-Jaime Krahenbuhl, California, USA-

I am writing to you because I came across your website and your book 'Let Pass or Die' when doing initial research in preparation for my graduation project. Your collection and knowledge of passport design history have been a fantastic source of inspiration and helped me immensely during my graduation project.
-Pontus Höglund, Rotterdam, Netherlands-

I just wanted to send a quick note to mention that I've been enjoying your website. I was searching for information about European citizenship and somehow tripped into the topic of collecting passports. I'm intrigued by the stories associated with many of them, and I've enjoyed hours of research learning about collecting passports and the nuanced differences/peculiarities. Your book has been wildly insightful. I enjoyed it.
-Derek Sandheinrich, Hamburg, Germany-

Fascinating website! Thank you!
-David J. Wasserman, NYC, USA-

I browsed your page several times and congratulate you on your impressive work and what must be an even more impressive collection.
-Bastian Matteo Scianna, Lecturer at University Potsdam (History of the Schengen Agreement), Potsdam, Germany-

Keep up the good work – I love your site.
-David Anderson, NYC, USA-

Thank you for such an informative website.
-Clint Daniel, North Hollywood, USA-

Your website looks incredible! I'm already hooked up on it and will be for some time. I think I will also buy your book; it looks exciting.
-Lucas, Cambridge, USA-

I just discovered this website, and I love it!
-Brittany Pulford, Dallas, USA-

I love your website so much
-Justin Stokes (Documentary Filmmaker), Hammersmith, UK-

Thank you for your swift reply, and thanks for the incredible photos that you've sent along. Your archive is a trove of rare and precious items. I'm stunned.
-Mark Goldstein, Ontario, CA-

Hi Tom. I've just discovered your website and am an instant fan.
-Jefferson McCarley, San Francisco, USA-

I must say you have a fantastic website. I enjoyed all of your articles, but I enjoyed the recent one related to the collector's market. You hit the spot on that one.
-Christi, Bucharest, RO-

Your website popped out at first sight, and I admired all the information you were sharing!
-Bert Kraker, Amsterdam, NL-

Your book looks incredible - and I am excited to know more about your work.
-Rebecca McElroy, filmmaker, AUS-

Fascinating website, and thanks for the cultural curating/preservation that you do.
-Tom Dunkel, journalist/author, USA-

Thank you so much for your expert advice and guidance.
-Dr. Andrew Norman, book author, UK-

Many thanks for your fascinating historical perspectives on passports and for finally facilitating my effort to obtain an old Newfoundland Passport.
-Terry Loder, Canada-

I periodically receive your article via your newsletter. They are fascinating indeed. By the way, your book is excellent, and I've been many times throughout it.
Ramon Pinos, USA-

Tom, you have been a great partner for the State Department team throughout this exhibit's preparation.
-Karin Lang, Director, Bureau of Consular Affairs, US State Dept-

Tom, your website is a fantastic resource with so much fantastic information. What a collection you have.
- David Farley, Prop-Master, UK -

I enjoyed reading your article "A history of passports and their design."
- Thomas A. Tass, CEO, BORDERPOL -

Thank you, Tom. You've been a great help. When I have historical passport questions in the future, I know whom to call.
- Tim Winchester, Exchange Movie Canada Inc., Ottawa, CA -

Many thanks for your excellent and informative website on passports, Tom. I've found it immensely useful.
- Prof. Peter Stallybrass, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA -

Hi Tom! Thank you for such a fascinating website.
- Brinn Black, Country/Pop Singer, Nashville, USA -

Enjoying your posts. Sharing this with my contacts.
- Thomas Poe, USA, Independent, and GLG Sales, Conference & Technical Consultant for Secure Document Covert Ultra Violet Pigments and inks -

Congrats, Tom, your work is impressive.
- Carlos Sasias, Uruguay, Encargado del Centro de Capacitación Migratoria -

Hi Tom, Wow, what a fascinating page! Maybe in the future, I can start collecting old passports.
- A reader from the USA -

"Very well done, dear Tom. You understood the dimension of the rescue activity of my stepfather Carl Lutz. I am truly grateful you made this publication!"
- Agnes Hirschi, Journalist, Muenchenbuchsee, Switzerland -

"I love your website."
- Ellen Freund, Property Master, Los Angeles, USA -

"I was searching for passport expertise, and you sound exactly right for what we want to cover."
- Dearbhla Gavin, producer BBC Essex -

"Your website is excellent, really very interesting! Thank you"
- M.F., Criminal Intelligence Analyst at Federico Fellini International Airport, Rimini (Italy) -

"Your website is unique and important. You do good work, Tom."
- M.B., Holocaust collector / Philanthropist, USA -

"Your webpage is very well written, interesting and informative, and I enjoyed reading it. You've done an excellent job!"
- T. Lloyd, Reader, UK -

"It is an honor and pleasure meeting you at the BMC. Your profound knowledge of passports is an asset to the secure document industry. It's good to be connected to an expert like you."
- Prof. Raymond Wong, Biometrics Research Center at Hong Kong Polytechnic University -

"I enjoyed looking at your website and reading some of the exciting historical features you have! Well done, really interesting. Perhaps we could collaborate on one of my next projects?" testimonials
- Yanko Tihov, Yanko BA of Fine Arts and Printmaking -

"Thank you so much! You provided me with a ton of information (on Goodrum's passport) and enlightened parts of our collection. Traveling to Egypt explains some of the Egyptian motifs in the garden."
- Barbara Hyde, Curator, Goodrum House, Atlanta, GA -

"Topol's website, Passport-collector, is a goldmine of information on historical and important travel documents."
- Businessinsider UK -

"I had the opportunity to interact with Tom concerning old passport documents I have, and I am amazed at his knowledge and pinpointing details from the documents as old as 1909/1911. The information you get bangs on...more like an encyclopedia..."
- Khilen Dharmsinh, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman -

"Glad to come across your site! I will look forward to exploring your posts!"
- Peter J. Spiro, Charles Weiner Professor of Law, Temple University Law School -

"Cool site. I'm writing a historical novel and wonder if you know or could point to a place that might help in the next thought. - Tom, Thanks for your response. Very helpful."
- SD, Dallow, MN, USA -

"Thank you for sharing your work, as you always give us an important glimpse into history." testimonials
- Zionist Organization of America, founded in 1897 -

"Exactly the kind of information I have been looking around for a long time. A real gem!"

"I am writing to you from the film production company Serena film based in Prague. We are preparing a film about the Jewish Kindertransport from Austria after the Nazi occupation of Austria in 1938. An essential element of certain scenes is the use of "Reich" passports issued to Austrian citizens shortly after the occupation with the infamous J stamp. After extensively browsing and familiarizing myself with the world of passport collecting, you proved to be the foremost authority on the subject as much as someone who has previously worked with television and film productions."

"BLOODY MARVELOUS document you sent to me! Thank you very much" (Jersey passport 1753). "Thank you very much for all your input and information. I will refer your website to other people I know, as I have quite a few friends and family members with things of a similar nature. Thank you once again so very much.

"Your website is a fabulous resource for collectors - a Passport Collectors Paradise!"

"Your website is so impressive that if anyone knew the approximate value of old passports, it would be you."

"I just spent one hour exploring your website and have to say this hour was well spent. I learned a lot about passports and their history. A great source!"

"Fascinating site -- I found it while researching for a documentary I am editing about European Jews who fled the Holocaust to Ecuador. We saw one passport that would be great to illustrate a section on obtaining visas to leave -- is it possible for us to get a high-resolution scan of what you have posted and get permission to use it in our film?"

"Hello – excellent website! I am fascinated by the history of passports and other documents. I don't think I've found a better website / more comprehensive collection to date. Keep it up!"

"Glad to see you had a useful trip to London again recently, Tom - your website is certainly a great resource. Thanks again for your help."

"... your knowledge about passports is vast!"

"All I can say is wow. I did some reading and research to post something interesting about the passport and its history, but your site is a public library on the topic."

"You have amazing material. My Ph.D. dissertation is on internal passports in Peru, and your links are very beneficial."

"Thank you very much for the information on my document. You have an excellent site, informative and fun to look through."

"Thank you for your expertise. I appreciate your reasoning and will convey all your information to the owner. You have certainly studied this collecting area, and I will share information about you. This is vital information."

"Tom, many thanks for your very nice note and related information. I will stay in touch with you, and I appreciate the candid and excellent background you provided me."

"I want to thank you for your site - it is fantastic. You are doing a great job - your website is very professional and informative."

"Your website is a fabulous resource for collectors."
-9 Miles of Ephemera & Antiques-

"Thanks so much to you for your expertise, your kind assistance, and for facilitating the connection with your fellow collector on my topic. Your site is amazing, and I know I'll be back!"

"You truly have an impressive and informative website. It is not surprising that so many influential individuals seek you out for help and expertise.

"Thank you so much for your fast response. This is incredibly helpful, and you have answered my questions completely."

"Great website I just stumbled upon, which seems the only online resource!"

"Thank you again for introducing me to this fascinating hobby!"

"Hi there. I can see on your website that you're the world expert on passports! I am a valuer of manuscripts and art here in Australia. I have never valued a passport before. Thank you so much, Tom. As I said, this is outside my expertise, so it has been a sharp learning curve.

"I stumbled upon your website when looking for Ottoman Empire passports; yours was essentially the only dedicated site."