Diplomatic Passport More Sleepy Than Woke

May 16, 2025

DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT MORE SLEEPY THAN 'WOKE'

At the turn of the 20th century, Australia became an independent nation after six British colonies (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania), united to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

As a sovereign nation, Australia was entitled to create a diplomatic corps to represent it on the world stage.   One of the defining features of that role is the diplomatic passport, a document which bestows rights, as well as obligations, not offered to or required of the rest of the citizenry.

When viewed through the lens of the 21st century, the passport used by Sir Joseph Cook as Minister for the Navy (1918-19), was a model of institutionalized misogyny.  There is no better example than the pages showing the photographs and signatures of the 'Bearer' and the 'Wife'.

Clearly, no self-respecting government of that era would have considered women as being interested in or capable of holding a position as important as a senior diplomat.

"It would be more than 50 years before Australia appointed its first ambassador," says Charles Leski, lead auctioneer of Leski Auctions, which is selling the passport together with an illuminated, leather-bound folio presented to Cook in 1913 by his supporters in the federal electorate of Parramatta (offered as a separate Lot #911).

The first woman to ever be appointed an ambassador was Alexandra Kollontaï, a Bolshevik Soviet feminist revolutionary, who served in Norway in 1924. By contrast, Australia's first female senior diplomat was Dame Annabelle Rankin, who was appointed as Australia's High Commissioner to New Zealand in 1971.

"The passport and the bearer are significant landmarks in Australia's political and diplomatic history," Mr Leski says.  "While Sir Joseph was a former Prime Minister of Australia (1913-14), his status was elevated internationally as one of only two Australians, the other being Prime Minister Billy Hughes, who signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which reshaped the post-war map of the world." 

"It was on this passport that Sir Joseph travelled to London for the Imperial War Conference in 1918 before heading to France for the signing."

The passport bears Sir Joseph's photograph and signature, as well as endorsements, handstamps, dates and manuscript entries.  These record the many times that Sir Joseph travelled to London and France for working sessions and signing ceremonies.

Lot 912:   Historically significant passport of Sir Joseph Cook, a former Australian Prime Minister and one of only two Australian signatories to the 1919 Treaty of Versailles which reshaped the world post-World War 1.

Pre-sale estimate is $3,000 - $5,000.

The auction will be held on May 24th & 25th from 10.00am.  Details can be found at www.leski.com.au

About Leski Auctions
Leski Auctions was established in 1973. Today, it is regarded as one of Australia's leading auctioneers of Sporting Memorabilia, Australian Art & Antiques, Collectibles and World Philately.  Among the many significant collections that Leski Auctions has been privileged to sell are those of Shirley Strickland, Ron Clarke, Sir Reginald Ansett and former RSL President, Bruce Ruxton.  It has sold more Brownlow Medals and 'baggy green' caps than any other auction house in the world.

Charles Leski is a registered valuer for the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts' Cultural Gifts Program.  He is also the valuer of the displayed items at the National Sports Museum at the MCG, Melbourne.  

The company is located at 727-729 High Street Armadale, Victoria 3143 Australia.  
Tel +61 3 8539 6150/+61 412 053 692 and www.leski.com.au