Ottoman Official Payment Certificate 1910 Municipal Supply Document Armenian Citizens
Ottoman Official Payment Certificate - Municipal Supply Document 1910
Description
This original Ottoman document is dated 23 June 1326 (6 July 1910) and bears the title “Bi-l-umum devâir ve mevâki-i resmiyede elli kuruş ve daha ziyâde vuku bulacak teddiyâta mahsus mesârif içün seneddir.” This heading indicates an official certificate used by public offices for payments of 50 kuruş or more, confirming its formal administrative character.
The content records a municipal payment made for lime (kireç) supplied for the construction of a fountain being built adjacent to a hospital. The municipality purchased 132 batman of lime at a unit price of 60 para per batman, totaling 198 kuruş, which is stated as having been duly received. Batman was an Ottoman unit of weight, approximately 7.697 kilograms, and the lime was used directly in the fountain’s construction.
The supplier is listed as Kirkor, son of Tatos, whose Armenian signature appears on the document. Additionally, the payment is certified by a municipal employee whose seal bears the name Agop Karasimonyan (Karasimonian). The presence of Armenian individuals both as supplier and municipal official is notable and reflects the multiethnic composition of Ottoman municipal life. While the document clearly relates to a municipality, the specific municipality cannot be identified with certainty from the text. Revenue stamps and official seals further attest to its authenticity.
Key Features
• Type: Ottoman official payment certificate for public expenditures
• Date: 23 June 1326 (6 July 1910)
• Purpose: Payment for lime supplied for the construction of a public fountain
• Quantity & Price: 132 batman of lime at 60 para per batman
• Total Amount Paid: 198 kuruş
• Supplier: Kirkor, son of Tatos (Armenian; Armenian signature present)
• Municipal Certification: Sealed and endorsed by Agop Karasimonyan (Karasimonian)
• Unit of Measure: Batman (approx. 7.697 kg)
• Features: Ottoman revenue stamp, official seals, signatures
• Historical Significance: Demonstrates Ottoman municipal procurement practices and highlights the multiethnic structure of local administration and commerce