Skip to product information
American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
  • American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
  • American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
  • American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
  • American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
  • American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
  • American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
  • American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
  • American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
  • American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
  • American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia
American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia

American Bible Society 1899 Armenian Book Order Form Ottoman Empire Era Armenia

$80.00

Armenian Book Order Form – American Bible Society (1899 September)

Description:

An original Armenian-language book order form issued by the American Bible Society and dated 1899. The American Bible Society was actively involved in missionary, educational, and religious publishing activities within Ottoman territories, particularly among Christian communities.

During the Ottoman period, non-Muslim subjects were generally not permitted to open licensed bookshops or work officially as booksellers (sahaf). Religious restrictions especially concerning the handling of Islamic sacred texts prevented non-Muslims from obtaining sahaf licenses. As a result, Christian communities often relied on foreign missionary organizations such as the American Bible Society or the British and Foreign Bible Society to access books. Missionaries, including Armenian intermediaries, frequently traveled from village to village collecting book orders, which were later fulfilled through these institutions.

This document represents a clear example of such a system. Although Armenian handwritten text can be difficult to read with certainty, the place where the order was collected appears to be Zmarraşen Village, and the name recorded may be Garabed B Jingeshian. As a whole, the document provides valuable insight into the distribution of religious and educational materials among Armenians in the late Ottoman period and stands as a collectible piece for Armenian history collectors.

Key Features:

• Type: Armenian-language book order form

• Organization: American Bible Society

• Date: 1899 September

• Language: Armenian

• Purpose: Book ordering through missionary networks

• Location: Zmarraşen Village (appears to be indicated)

• Name Recorded: Garabed B Jingeshian (handwritten, not fully legible)

• Historical Context: Christian access to books via foreign missionary societies

• Significance: Illustrates missionary and educational activities in the Ottoman Empire

• Collectibility: Desirable ephemera for Armenian history and missionary history collectors

• Condition: Period document with age-related wear

You may also like