Reisdocument Possibly 1833 - 1838

This is an anonymous Reisdocument, or travel document, made in 1833 using ink on paper. Consider this artifact as part of the growing culture of mobility in the 19th century. As social structures shifted, so did the way people moved through the world. Look closely and you'll see intricate handwritten details which provide more than just logistical information. It offers a snapshot of a particular journey from Altenburg to Weimar, for a passenger named Torbeike. The document reveals not only the cost of passage, but also includes fees for personal luggage and even potential excess weight. Think about how economic status, and even gender, might have affected an individual’s ability to travel and the kind of reception they might have received along the way. What stories might this document tell us about the changing experience of travel? While appearing practical, this Reisdocument quietly speaks volumes about a time of transition, both personal and societal.