Prince Heinrich XV. Reuss zu Greiz

This document is a Passport for Abroad (Passaporto all’Estero) issued in 1814 under the authority of Heinrich XV, Prince of Reuss-Plauen, who was then the Civil and Military Governor-General of Italian territories under the Austrian Empire. Below is the translation of the main sections:

WE, HEINRICH XV, OF THE PRINCES OF REUSS-PLAUEN Knight of the Military Order of Maria Theresa, Grand Cross of the Imperial Austrian Order of Leopold, Knight of the Order of Alexander Nevsky of the First Class, Grand Cross of the Order of St. Hubert, and of Maximilian of Bavaria, General of Artillery, Proprietor of an Infantry Regiment, Governor-General Civil and Military in Italy for His Majesty the EMPEROR of Austria, King of Hungary and Bohemia, etc. etc. etc.

Passport Details

We invite all Civil and Military Authorities in the service of His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, etc. etc., as well as those of friendly Powers, to let pass freely, and to provide help and protection in case of need to:

Name: Anna Maria Bugatti Lombar
Status/Profession: Possidente (Property owner/Lady of means)
Native of: Belluno
Department of: Piave
Destination: Bologna, Department of Reno

Physical Description (Connotati)

On the left side, the traveler’s physical features are listed:

Age: 27
Stature: Medium (ordinaria)
Hair: Blonde
Forehead: Medium (ordinaria)
Eyebrows: Blonde
Eyes: Cerulean (blue/grey)
Nose: Regular
Mouth: Medium (ordinaria)
Chin: Round
Face: Oval
Complexion: Fair/Good (bello)
Distinguishing Marks: None

Heinrich XV, Prince of Reuss-Plauen, 1814, passport

Issuance

Validity: Three (3) months
Issued in: Venice, April 28, 1814
Fee: Three Lire including the stamp

The stamps and signatures on this document act as a “time capsule” of the administrative shift from Napoleonic to Austrian rule in 1814. Here is a breakdown of the specific markings:

The Signatures

Prince Heinrich XV (Reuss-Plauen): While his name is printed at the top as the issuing authority, the signature at the bottom right—“Per ordine di S.A. il Signor Principe… [Signature]”—is likely that of a high-ranking secretary or official acting on his behalf. Heinrich XV was a major historical figure; born in 1751, he was a highly decorated Austrian general who signed the Treaty of Ried in 1813, which helped turn the tide against Napoleon. At the time this was signed (April 1814), he was the Civil and Military Governor-General based in Venice.
The Bearer’s Signature (Sottoscrizione del Latore): In the left margin, you can see the handwritten signature of Anna Maria Bugatti Lombar. It was standard practice for the traveler to sign their own passport to allow border guards to verify their identity by comparing the handwriting on the spot.

The Official Stamps & Seals

The Imperial Austrian Eagle (Top Center): This is the prominent coat of arms of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. It features the double-headed eagle holding a sword and scepter, signifying the return of Austrian sovereignty over Northern Italy.
The Wax Seal (Bottom Left): The circular mark is the impression of a paper-covered wax seal. These were essential for proving the document’s authenticity. It likely bears the heraldic arms of the Reuss family or the Governorate of Venice.
Control Stamps:
- “F. I.” Stamp: This stands for Francis I (Franciscus Primus), the Emperor of Austria.
- The Circular “Venetian” Stamp: At the top right, there is a small circular ink stamp. This was used for fiscal or “tax” purposes (the bollo), as indicated by the note at the bottom: “Tassa Lire tre compreso il Bollo” (Fee of three Lire including the stamp).

Handwritten Annotations

Registration Details: On the top left, the document is noted as belonging to “Registro II, No. 114”. This indicates it was the 114th passport recorded in the second ledger of that year’s administrative office.
The Margin Note: There is a vertical handwritten note in the left margin: “Generale Civile, e Militare in Italia”. This reinforces the absolute authority of the Governor-General who issued the document.

Historical Context

This document is a fascinating piece of Napoleonic/Restoration-era history. It was issued just as the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy was collapsing and the Austrian Empire was re-establishing control over Northern Italy (the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia). The mention of “Departments” (Piave, Reno) reflects the administrative divisions established during the Napoleonic era that were still in transition at the time.

This specific passport was issued on April 28, 1814. This is exactly during the “Provisional Austrian Regime.” Just weeks prior, the Treaty of Fontainebleau had seen Napoleon abdicate. Venice and the surrounding “Departments” (like Piave and Reno mentioned in the text) were in a state of flux—legally still using Napoleonic-style paperwork, but physically occupied and governed by the Austrian military.

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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