Existing comment:
Stolen History:
Safe passport, but not safe from the hands of thieves...
Between 1786 and 1836, the United States made treaties with the Barbary Coast nations of Tunis, Tripoli (today Libya), Algeria, and Morocco, which included provisions to protect American ships from acts of piracy from those nations. To ensure safe passage, American ships carried Mediterranean Passports, like the two shown here, bearing the signatures of the President and the Secretary of State. Due to their high historic and monetary value, records with Presidential and other important signatures -- like the passport with the signature clipped out -- can be targets for theft. |