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Auction: 26015 - "The Treasure of the Eagles" Collection of Albania - Part I
Lot: 3002

(x) Ottoman Albania (1718-1912)
Ottoman Albania (1718-1912)

Ottoman Albania (1718-1912)

Ottoman Albania (1718-1912)

Ottoman Albania (1718-1912)

Ottoman Albania (1718-1912)
Ottoman Albania (1718-1912)
Mail Originating in Ottoman Albania
1812. Entire letter from Durrës (Durazzo) written by Mustafa Bey (Bushati) and Omar Bey (Vrioni) on behalf of Ali Agha, sent to Mr. Gautier, General of the Division for Albania of the French Army of Dalmatia stationed in Ragusa (Dubrovnik). The letter requested French assistance for their brother Halil Bey, who was besieged by Ottoman troops in Bosnia. The letter was dispatched from Durrës and transported on a French ship to its final destination, marked arrive le 25 Fevrier 1812. On the missive we find two Arabic negative seals of the senders. Two upper corners have been trimmed and backed with paper.
The contents are historically significant, including: "Our brother Halil Bey and his troops defended our positions in Kuluyan, but he is running out of ammunition and food. He is under siege, and we are unable to reach him. The overlords of Dubran and Pologusa are much closer, and for the sake of our friendship, we ask if you can send your army within the next three or four days to rescue them safely. We beg you to act quickly. It is our earnest prayer that they be rescued".
A unique piece of mail from these significant sender and addressee during the Ottoman period, further enhanced by its fascinating historical text.


provenance: Markus Gmähle
note: Before the opening of the first post office in Shkoder in 1849, correspondence from Ottoman Albania mainly consisted of private letters sent by local authorities operating within the respective pashaliks (provincial administrative units governed by a pasha) or by foreign noble families conducting trade or managing consulates there. In 1812, the lords of two of the main families of Ottoman Albania, seeking some autonomy from the Sublime Porte through an alliance with France, were Mustafa Bey Bushati, who governed the Pashalik of Shkoder in the north, and Omar Pasha Vrioni from Berat, whose pashalik had been annexed to the Pashalik of Janina after the defeat of Ibrahim Vrioni by Ali Pasha of Tepelene.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,500 to £2,500

Starting price
£1300