December 2017 Auction Ends Thursday, December 14th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2017
Extremely scarce 1944 ''protective passport'' signed by Angel Sanz Briz, ''The Angel of Budapest'' who saved the lives of thousands of Hungarian Jews at the close of WWII. As First Secretary of the Spanish Legation in Hungary, Sanz Briz issued over 5,000 fake passports to Hungarian Jews and other vulnerable individuals, claiming they were actually Spanish citizens awaiting repatriation, with the full protection of such citizenship and therefore not subject to deportation to Auschwitz, the fate of most Jews in Hungary. Like his contemporary Raoul Wallenberg, who issued fake Swedish passports, Sanz Briz even used his own funds to secure lodging for the refugees as they awaited passage to Spain. Translated as ''Temporary-Passport'', document is twice stamped by the Spanish Legation-Budapest and boldly signed by Sanz Briz on 10 October 1944. Passport features the photograph of the recipient, a 55 year old woman. Measures 11.5'' x 16.25''. Folded into fourths, with small holes along folds and light toning and wear. Overall in very good condition. Very scarce, more so than the passports issued by Raoul Wallenberg.
Angel Sanz Briz Signed WWII Protective Passport -- Called ''The Angel of Budapest'', Sanz Briz Saved the Lives of Thousands of Hungarian Jews by Issuing Fake Spanish Passports -- Very Scarce
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