Valdemar Langlet saved Jewish Lives during the Holocaust
Valdemar Langlet Jewish Lives
Valdemar Langlet
is a relatively unknown name, yet Langlet, at age seventy-two, was responsible for saving thousands of Jewish lives in Budapest, Hungary, during the Holocaust. Langlet taught Swedish at Budapest University and became an unpaid cultural attaché at the Swedish Legation, while also working with the Swedish Red Cross in Budapest.
During the years 1944 – 1945, when the Germans and the Hungarian Arrow Cross Party waged a terror assault against Hungarian Jews, Langlet fabricated Red Cross “Letters of Protection” that provided Jews with a modicum of safety. Langlet’s passport-like documents, which he issued without the permission of the Red Cross, allowed Jews to avoid deportation to the death camps.
His memoir provides us with an understanding of the danger faced by anyone who stood up to the Nazis and the barbaric Arrow Cross soldiers. These “letters of protection” were issued long before Raoul Wallenberg arrived in Budapest and proceeded to issue “protective passports.”
As the war turned against both Germany and Hungary in late 1944, and the Red Army approached Budapest, Langlet informs us that the Arrow Cross soldiers intensified their attacks against the Jews. It became obvious to him that the city would become a battleground once the Soviet army entered the city. Under these conditions, Langlet risked his life to shelter Jews and other refugees in safe houses throughout Budapest.
After the war, Langlet returned to Sweden and was awarded the Swedish Red Cross Medal in 1946; in 1965, five years after his death, Yad Vashem recognized Langlet and his wife, Nina, as “Righteous Gentiles“ for their work in rescuing Jews in Budapest.
Book recommendation: Reign of Terror: The Budapest Memoirs of Valdemar Langlet 1944 – 1945
Further reading…
Under Swiss Protection – Accounts from wartime (Swiss Consul Carl Lutz)
Valdemar Langlet Jewish Lives
FAQ Passport History
Passport collection, passport renewal, old passports for sale, vintage passport, emergency passport renewal, same day passport, passport application, 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...