French Education Book Used in Ottoman Empire 1894 Germain Lescane Galatasaray
Germain Lescane – Morceaux Choisis de Lecture, Explication et Récitation – Constantinople Edition (1894)
Description:
This is a rare 1894 Constantinople (Istanbul) edition of Morceaux Choisis de Lecture, Explication et Récitation, authored by Germain Lescane and published by the well-known Ottoman-Armenian bookseller Karabet Keshishian (Garabed), one of the prominent figures of the Babıali publishing world.
The book was specifically prepared for upper-level students of Mekteb-i Mülkiye (École Impériale Mulkié), one of the most prestigious institutions of the late Ottoman Empire. It reflects the structured and advanced level of French language education within elite Ottoman schools during the late 19th century.
Germain Lescane, the author, was a distinguished educator who taught French at Mekteb-i Mülkiye and Latin at Galatasaray Sultanisi (Lycée Impérial Ottoman de Galata Sérail). His title “Officier du Médjidié,” printed on the cover, indicates that he was awarded the Order of the Medjidie by the Ottoman state, highlighting his importance within the imperial education system.
The book is officially approved by the Ottoman Ministry of Education (Maarif Nezareti / Ministère de l’Instruction Publique), further emphasizing its role as a formal educational text. It consists of selected French reading passages designed for reading, explanation, and recitation, aiming to develop advanced language skills among students.
A particularly notable feature of this copy is the presence of a dedication page to Sultan Abdülhamid II, which adds significant historical and symbolic value. Additionally, the first page bears an Ottoman Turkish stamp, indicating ownership or institutional use during the period.
This work stands as a rare and valuable document reflecting the Ottoman Empire’s modernization efforts and the central role of French language education in its elite institutions during the late 19th century.
Key Features:
• Title: Morceaux Choisis de Lecture, Explication et Récitation
• Author: Germain Lescane
• Publisher: Karabet Keshishian (Garabed), Constantinople
• Date: 1894
• Language: French
• Target Audience: Upper-level students of Mekteb-i Mülkiye
• Institution Context: Mekteb-i Mülkiye; Galatasaray Sultanisi
• Approval: Ottoman Ministry of Education (Maarif Nezareti)
• Distinction: Author awarded “Officier du Médjidié”
• Historical Context: Late Ottoman Westernization and French-language education
• Special Features: Dedication page to Sultan Abdülhamid II; Ottoman Turkish stamp on first page
• Collector Appeal: Rare late Ottoman educational book reflecting elite academic culture
• Condition: Cover shows signs of wear; some pages contain handwritten notes in Ottoman Turkish