Description China, issued in 1894. 32.5 x 28 cm. This passport was issued by the Chinese government in 1894 for Ernst von Hesse-Hardegg, an employee of the German trade representation in Shanghai. Von Hesse-Hardegg (1851-1918), originally from Austria, received American citizenship in 1887. He was a world traveller - in 1894, he undertook a journey around the world, during which he spent time in China, hence the passport. He is the author of 29 travel books.