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Very interesting, rare and unseen antique 1896 Italian Letter — Karahissar Chemin de Fer Pagani Railway Ottoman Empire
A handwritten letter in Italian, dated 2 July 1896 (with a notation "Rc. 8 Luglio" — received 8 July), written on the letterhead of Chemin de Fer Smyrne, Cassaba & Prolongement / Entreprise Flaminio Pagani (Smyrna-Cassaba Railway, Flaminio Pagani enterprise), from Karahissar (modern Afyonkarahisar, western Turkey).
Addressed to the Signor Cancelliere della Reale Ambasciata d'Italia a Costantinopoli (Chancellor of the Royal Italian Embassy in Constantinople). The writer informs the Chancellor that during a visit to Karahissar he made every effort to obtain the death certificate ("atto di morte") of one Martinelli Paolo, but all efforts were fruitless. The Armenian ecclesiastical authority confirmed having performed burial, but knew neither the birthplace nor the name of the deceased. The local civil authority knew nothing at all. The writer suggests that while an official document seems difficult to obtain, if a declaration by several Italians who were present would suffice, he could arrange to have it sent. Signed F. Pagani (Flaminio Pagani). The reverse/continuation page of the lettertext is a brief continuation closing of the same letter: requesting the Chancellor to kindly provide new instructions, offering expressions of highest esteem, and closing with the signature "Suo Devotissimo / F. Pagani". Below the signed portion, the ruled lines of the grid paper show faint bleed-through text from the other side.
A remarkable document connecting the Smyrna-Cassaba Railway (one of the major Ottoman railway concessions), an Italian entrepreneur (Flaminio Pagani), Armenian ecclesiastical administration in the Ottoman interior, and the Italian diplomatic network — all centered on locating a death record in 1896, one year after the Hamidian massacres.
"Karahissar, 2 July 1896. (Received: 8 July). No. 734. Signor Chancellor of the Royal Italian Embassy in Constantinople. Most Esteemed Sir, I have the honor of informing you that, having had occasion to go to Karahissar, I made every possible effort to obtain the death certificate of Martinelli Paolo. I regret that every effort proved fruitless. The Armenian ecclesiastical authority told me it had given burial, but they know neither the place of birth nor the name. The local civil authority knows nothing at all. Therefore, in my view, it seems difficult to obtain anything official; however, if you believe that a declaration by various Italians who were present would be sufficient, I can have it sent to you as soon as possible. I pray you to be so kind as to give me new instructions. Please accept my feelings of highest esteem. Your most devoted, F. Pagani."
Measures 20 x 28 centimeters (approx.)
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