See the passports to countries that no longer exist

These fascinating photographs show how different the world used to be: A time when people could play guitars in their passport photos, or have citizenship of a country that only lasted four years. Aside from the frantic rummage through a sock drawer the night before an international flight, few people really pay much attention to their passports and what they really mean. A passport isn’t just a way to get through to the duty-free – it’s also a snapshot of a time, place and person that will one day be gone forever, as these passports from countries that no longer exist reveal.

Curated by collector Tom Topol, creator of the website Passport-collector.com, the selection below shows just how many countries have now disappeared – such as Fiume, which existed for just four years and is now part of Croatia – and how unique the documents used to be.

‘I believe this topic is especially intriguing because nowadays our passports are so much standardized,’ said Topol, who is based in Germany – and when you see passport photographs of a woman playing a guitar, it’s easy to see what he means.

Read the full article here: Daily Mail Online

Passport-collector.com is an extensive online platform dedicated to the study, preservation, and appreciation of passport history. Founded in 2010 by passport history expert & 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 950 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, vintage passport collector, collectible documents, travel history, i94 travel history, passport collection, passport, diplomatic passport, passport office, famous people passports, celebrity passports, vintage passport, travel document, vintage passports for sale, old passports for sale, value of old passports, Reisepass, passport fees, most expensive passport in the world, passport color meaning, passport prices around the world,