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1890, "TELGRAF ve POSTAHANE-I VAN" (Isfila unrecorded, Coles Walker no.2A., 25 pts) on cover written at "VARAC CAMP" (Varagavank, Varak seven churches monastry), 1 Pia. dull blue with missing corner clear cancelled and transit marks Constantinople on front and New York on reverse, addressed to Chicago, Ill., tiny part of flap missing, fine and unique on document. Only few years after this cover was written during the Hamidian massacres of 1896, the monastery was sacked and robbed. Some teachers and students were killed. According to a contemporary report by an American at Van, "Varak, the most famous and historic monastery in all this [Van] region, which has weathered the storms of centuries is almost certain to go [on fire]." Showpiece of highest importance for Armenia & Turkey postal history!
cancellations |
