Ottoman 1909 Business Card of Nichan Kalebdjian Armenian Assistant Translator to the French Consulate Armenia

Ottoman-Era Business Card of Nichan Kalebdjian - Armenian Assistant Translator to the French Consulate 1909

Description:
This is an original Ottoman-era business card dated 24 Kanun-i Evvel 1324 (January 6, 1909) belonging to Nichan Kalebdjian, an Ottoman Armenian who served as the Assistant Translator to the French Consulate in Constantinople.

Printed in French, the card reflects Kalebdjian’s official diplomatic role. What makes this piece particularly special is the handwritten note on both sides, penned personally by Kalebdjian in Ottoman Turkish script.

In his note, he informs the recipient that a previously scheduled luncheon in honor of the Consul’s candidacy had to be postponed. Instead, it would take place on Friday, the second day of Kanun-i Sani (January 15, 1909), and the recipient is kindly requested to attend.

Key Features:

• Date: January 6, 1909 (24 Kanun-i Evvel 1324)

• Name: Nichan Kalebdjian

• Identity: Ottoman Armenian

• Title: Assistant Translator to the French Consulate

• Languages: Printed in French and Ottoman ; handwritten note in Ottoman Turkish

• Content: Personal note about a diplomatic luncheon invitation

• Format: Writing on both front and back of the card

• Historical Value: Offers a rare glimpse into intercultural and diplomatic relations in the late Ottoman Empire, and the role of Ottoman Armenians in foreign missions

This card not only showcases the multiethnic fabric of the Ottoman bureaucracy but also preserves a private moment from consular social life, making it a highly collectible historical artifact.