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1873 German Empire Passport (Reise-Pass). Issued under the authority of the Kingdom of Wurttemberg (Konigreich Wurttemberg), this 16-page booklet (16 Seiten enthaltend) stands as a fascinating artifact from the monumental era immediately following the Unification of Germany in 1871.
Primary Document Specifications:
* Sovereign Issuer: German Empire (Deutsches Reich)
* Regional Kingdom: Kingdom of Wurttemberg (Konigreich Wurttemberg)
* Issue Date: October 24, 1873
* Expiration Date: January 1, 1879 (gultig bis zum 1ten Januar 1879)
* Document ID: Register No. 34
* Bearer: Gustav Schick
Deep-Dive Internal Validation and Ephemera Markings:
Unlike standard covers, this passport features outstanding internal verification pages stamped in the capital city of Stuttgart on October 24, 1873. The inside contains two historically significant bureaucratic elements:
1. Top Panel - Royal Ministry of the Interior:
* Features the official bureaucratic authorization written by order of the Minister (Aus Auftrag des Ministers).
* Stamped with the highly detailed, crisp blind-style ink seal of the Koniglich Wurttembergisches Ministerium des Innern.
1. Bottom Panel - Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
* Features the formal foreign clearance text (Gesehen bei dem K. Wurttemb. Ministerium der Ausw. Angelegenheiten).
* Hand-signed by the Chancery Director (Kanzlei Director), Lindner.
* Backed by a pristine, incredibly vibrant blue ink crest stamp showcasing the detailed Royal Arms of Wurttemberg.
Exterior Cover Condition
* Water Staining: There is significant water damage and discoloration visible on the front cover. A prominent, dark water ring covers the lower right quadrant, and a separate dark water stain affects the bottom left corner and edge.
* Edge and Corner Wear: The outer edges show noticeable fraying, softening, and minor fiber separation consistent with age. The bottom left corner is heavily worn and slightly rounded.
* Surface Soiling: Minor surface smudging, spotting, and general handling grime are present across the cover background.
* Text Legibility: Despite the staining, all pre-printed typography and handwritten ink entries on the cover remain fully intact and readable.
Interior Page Condition
* Ink and Stamp Quality: The interior pages are much cleaner than the exterior. The black ink signatures and text are bold and completely clear.
* Official Seals: The blue ink ministry stamp on the lower panel is exceptionally crisp, vibrant, and fully legible with no fading or blurring. The blind-ink stamp on the top panel is clear and structurally intact.
* Paper Quality: The paper displays natural chronological toning (yellowing). There are minor thumb-smudges on the margins from past handling, but no major page tears, missing fragments, or modern ink markings are visible.
