About Me
Hello, I am Tom Topol, a seasoned passport history expert and author. Since 2003, I have been fascinated by the “Art” and history of old passports, which I discovered at a flea market in Kyoto, Japan. My passion for passport history has driven me to study and explore this field extensively.
“Old travel documents are not just pieces of paper, but they tell the stories of their bearers. These documents provide information about the person’s profession, their destination, and the reason for their travel. They also reveal where the passport was issued and by whom. Additionally, there are many questions related to geographical and political issues, processing, and security printing. Therefore, travel documents are not just a collection of papers, but they are a source of advanced research on travel documents.”
Passport History and Collection
Nowadays, passports are standardized, but if we look back at passports from the 19th century and earlier, they were unique pieces of artwork. Handwritten on fine paper and adorned with colorful stamps, signatures, and beautiful photographs. Each passport was a work of art in itself. However, it is important to note that collectors of passports have to define the range of their collection, as it is impossible to have every single passport from that time period. My collection has about 700 historical travel documents, with the earliest one dating back to 1646.
Milestones
I have worked on several projects, including assisting the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. with their historic passport exhibition, for which I received an award from the U.S. Government. Furthermore, on a project for the world’s oldest watchmaker, Swiss company Vacheron Constantin, and numerous museums and foundations around the world.
Website
My website is the definitive resource for passport history. Established in 2010, it’s a one-person endeavor, built entirely without spending a single penny on advertising. Despite this, it attracts an impressive 1.1 million visitors annually—an average of 3,000 daily. With ~1000 articles published and counting, the journey continues!
Books
My book LET PASS OR DIE (2019) was a massive success and is SOLD OUT. It is worth mentioning that it was sold by 70% in the security printing/passport industry! But, the 2nd edition (as e-Book only) with plenty of additional new content is available now! LINK to my books.
You can find numerous articles from me about passport history in the news media and with market leaders of the security printing industry. Take a look at my Reference List.
Legal Note On Passport Collecting Tom Topol passport history
This site aims to establish a source for collectors, historians, researchers, and other interested parties to share and exchange information, knowledge, and collectibles and raise awareness of passport history and collecting as a leisure activity.
Passports As Government Property
Most countries declare by law that passports are government property and may be confiscated, withdrawn, or revoked at any time, usually on specified grounds. A confiscation, withdrawal, or revocation is generally subject to judicial review. The definition of “Government property” is stated in most passports or country-specific passport laws, and came up (to my best knowledge) within the last 30–40 years. Old passports (100 years old and more) do not have such a statement at all – not on the document nor in the passport laws at that time. Tom Topol passport history
Is Passport Collecting Legal? Tom Topol passport history
YES, don’t worry, it is – as long the documents are obsolete/canceled!
I contacted several government agencies, and they often cannot clearly communicate. It is safe to say that passport collecting is “accepted” as long as you have a good reason for your collection, e.g., for historical research. Usually, you will get your old and obsolete marked passport back when you pick up your new one. Passport offices are not interested in their “property” by collecting “old paper.” Tom Topol passport history
Statement Of The German Interior Department Tom Topol passport history
“The retention of title extends only to passports and identity cards of the Federal Republic of Germany. The passports and identity cards pattern from before 1945 and the former German Democratic Republic (GDR – East Germany) are very different from the current ones. Those “historical” documents are therefore NOT protected.”
The statement of the German Interior Department can be used as an example for travel documents of other countries. However, each country has its views and laws that must not conform to this example! Patterns after 1945 until the 1980s are very different from the current one, so there should also be no retention of title, in my opinion. Passport collecting, historical passports, vintage passports, passport history, rare passports, diplomatic passports, passport collection, collectible passports, passport collector, antique passports, passport ephemera, passport stamps, travel documents, passport exhibitions, passport research, passport articles, passport blog, passport stories, passport gallery, passport archive, passport authentication, passport identification, passport valuation, passport preservation, passport forums, passport community, passport news, passport events, passport resources, passport guides, passport history blog, passport collecting tips, passport collecting community, passport collecting resources, passport collecting articles, passport collecting news, passport collecting events, passport collecting forums, passport collecting guides, passport collecting stories, passport collecting gallery, passport collecting archive, passport collecting authentication, passport collecting identification, passport collecting valuation, passport collecting preservation, passport collecting exhibitions, passport collecting research, passport collecting blog
Documents presented on this website are obsolete and only for research, education & collection purposes! I do NOT buy or sell any biometric passports! Selling/purchasing of VALID passports is ILLEGAL!
Passport-collector.com is an extensive online platform dedicated to the study, preservation, and appreciation of passport history. Founded in 2010 by passport historian, editor & author - Tom Topol, the site offers a wealth of educational articles and resources that explore the origins and evolution of passports, their historical significance, and the impact of global events on travel documentation. With over 1000 meticulously researched articles, Passport-collector.com not only serves as an essential repository for collectors and historians but also provides insights into the role of passports in shaping national identity and cultural heritage. Passport history, passport collectors, collecting passports, passport fees, vintage passport collector, collectible documents, travel history, passport collection, diplomatic passport, passport office, celebrity passports, travel document, vintage passports for sale, old passports for sale, value of old passports, Reisepass, passport fees, most expensive passport in the world, passport colors, passport prices around the world, passport costs around the world, passport cost by country, cost of passports around the world, british visitor's passport, world passport prices, east german passport, passport fees by country, passport printers, passport printer, third reich passport,
