Saxony Passport 1910 – War Department
Saxony passport war department
When I first spotted this document, I thought – ah just another German Empire I already have in my archive. But then I had a second more in-depth look and saw it was issued 1910, for a Lieutenant with name Fritz Eulitz from the 5th Infantry Regiment “Kronprinz,” No. 104 in Chemnitz. Passport then still had no pictures – 108 years ago. I wonder how the just 24 years old officer looked like in his uniform. I did not find a photo of Fritz but some biography – see below…
Fritz’s passport Saxony passport war department
for traveling to Brussels and Paris but the quite unusual fact is, the Royal War Department of Saxony issued the passport! Well, that is something which you don’t often see at all. Finally, I also find the signature of Fritz quite interesting, the two “Z” in his first and family name reminding me somehow on “ZORRO,” haha…
Anyway, a great historical and unusual document and I am glad I found it. Also look at the condition, the revenue stamp, and the seal on the last page. Nice! Saxony passport war department
Fritz Eulitz (1886 – 1947)
Born in Langenbach near Zwickau; father Paul Eulitz, technical engineer, papermaker; mother Fanny Eulitz, daughter of a landowner from Grünau /Saxony.; after school in Zwickau Training as an officer of the infantry; after participation in the 1st World War (his latest rank was Major) studies agriculture and forestry; 1923 Takeover of his father’s factory Combustinwerk Eulitz u. Co. in Fährbrücke /Saxony.; 1931 Acquisition of castle and manor Scharfenstein at the forced sale; the foundation of the ornithological station Scharfenstein; ornithological work.
Post WWII Saxony passport war department
Eulitz was after the end of WWII, expropriated by the Soviet occupying power as lord of the manor. Due to his good relations with the local occupation authorities, he was allowed to run his factory. However, at the end of 1945, he was arrested by local communists and taken to the camp of the Soviet secret service NKWD in Mühlberg a. d. Elbe, where he died of tuberculosis in 1947. It wasn’t until 1948 that the family found out about from the place of his imprisonment and his death. Saxony passport war department
This site was before a POW camp of the Wehrmacht known as STALAG IVB. About 300.000 POW’s from 40 different countries were interned there. About 3000 Pow’s died in the camp, mostly Russians. Then the NKWD run the camp from 1945-1948 and interned ca. 22.000 people, 6.700 died in the camp. More details HERE…
The Infantry Regiment “Kronprinz” (5th Royal Saxon) No. 104
was an infantry unit of the Electoral, later Royal Saxon Army. It was founded on 7 December 1701 as the “Infantry Regiment Graf Beichlingen” during the reign of Elector August the Strong and was dissolved after the loss of Saxon military autonomy on 31 March 1919. The following numbers were added to the system: 1701/5 (after Ticino), Infantry Regiment No. 4 and Old Prussian Infantry Regiment S 56 (after Bleckwenn). On June 15, 1930, a monument was inaugurated at the municipal cemetery in Chemnitz to those killed in action by the regiment.
Saxony passport war department
FAQ Passport History pasaporte passeport паспорт 护照 パスポート جواز سفر पासपोर्ट
1. What are the earliest known examples of passports, and how have they evolved?
The word "passport" came up only in the mid 15th Century. Before that, such documents were safe conducts, recommendations or protection letters. On a practical aspect, the earliest passport I have seen was from the mid 16th Century. Read more...
2. Are there any notable historical figures or personalities whose passports are highly sought after by collectors?
Every collector is doing well to define his collection focus, and yes, there are collectors looking for Celebrity passports and travel documents of historical figures like Winston Churchill, Brothers Grimm, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Read more...
3. How did passport designs and security features change throughout different periods in history, and what impact did these changes have on forgery prevention?
"Passports" before the 18th Century had a pure functional character. Security features were, in the best case, a watermark and a wax seal. Forgery, back then, was not an issue like it is nowadays. Only from the 1980s on, security features became a thing. A state-of-the-art passport nowadays has dozens of security features - visible and invisible. Some are known only by the security document printer itself. Read more...
4. What are some of the rarest and most valuable historical passports that have ever been sold or auctioned?
Lou Gehrig, Victor Tsoi, Marilyn Monroe, James Joyce, and Albert Einstein when it comes to the most expensive ones. Read more...
5. How do diplomatic passports differ from regular passports, and what makes them significant to collectors?
Such documents were often held by officials in high ranks, like ambassadors, consuls or special envoys. Furthermore, these travel documents are often frequently traveled. Hence, they hold a tapestry of stamps or visas. Partly from unusual places.
6. Can you provide insights into the stories behind specific historical passports that offer unique insights into past travel and migration trends?
A passport tells the story of its bearer and these stories can be everything - surprising, sad, vivid. Isabella Bird and her travels (1831-1904) or Mary Kingsley, a fearless Lady explorer.
7. What role did passports play during significant historical events, such as wartime travel restrictions or international treaties?
During war, a passport could have been a matter of life or death. Especially, when we are looking into WWII and the Holocaust. And yes, during that time, passports and similar documents were often forged to escape and save lives. Example...
8. How has the emergence of digital passports and biometric identification impacted the world of passport collecting?
Current modern passports having now often a sparkling, flashy design. This has mainly two reasons. 1. Improved security and 2. Displaying a countries' heritage, icons, and important figures or achievements. I can fully understand that those modern documents are wanted, especially by younger collectors.
9. Are there any specialized collections of passports, such as those from a specific country, era, or distinguished individuals?
Yes, the University of Western Sidney Library has e.g. a passport collection of the former prime minister Hon Edward Gough Whitlam and his wife Margaret. They are all diplomatic passports and I had the pleasure to apprise them. I hold e.g. a collection of almost all types of the German Empire passports (only 2 types are still missing). Also, my East German passport collection is quite extensive with pretty rare passport types.
10. Where can passport collectors find reliable resources and reputable sellers to expand their collection and learn more about passport history?
A good start is eBay, Delcampe, flea markets, garage or estate sales. The more significant travel documents you probably find at the classic auction houses. Sometimes I also offer documents from my archive/collection. See offers... As you are already here, you surely found a great source on the topic 😉
Other great sources are: Scottish Passports, The Nansen passport, The secret lives of diplomatic couriers
11. Is vintage passport collecting legal? What are the regulations and considerations collectors should know when acquiring historical passports?
First, it's important to stress that each country has its own laws when it comes to passports. Collecting old vintage passports for historical or educational reasons is safe and legal, or at least tolerated. More details on the legal aspects are here...
Does this article spark your curiosity about passport collecting and the history of passports? With this valuable information, you have a good basis to start your own passport collection.
Question? Contact me...
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