Antique early 20th-century postcard showing a sweeping panoramic view of Smyrna in the Ottoman Empire, now İzmir, Turkey.
The French caption reads:
“Smyrne — Vue générale du centre de la ville”
General view of the city center
This fascinating image shows the densely built historic center of Smyrna stretching toward the surrounding hills. The photograph provides an important view of the Ottoman city before the dramatic events and destruction that transformed Smyrna in the early 1920s.
Published by Établissements Orosdi-Back, a prominent international department-store company that operated a branch in Smyrna and published postcards depicting locations throughout the Ottoman Empire and eastern Mediterranean. Historical records specifically list Smyrna among the company's branches.
The postcard is unused and unposted, with a divided back reading “Union Postale Universelle / Carte Postale.”
Location: Smyrna, Ottoman Empire — modern İzmir, Turkey
View: General view of the city center
Publisher: Établissements Orosdi-Back
Approximate Date: c. 1905–1915
Era: Ottoman Empire / pre-WWI
Postally Used: No
Fair to good antique condition. Unused and unposted. Noticeable age toning and general surface wear. Small loss/chipping along the lower edge, including a more noticeable notch near the center, with additional corner and edge wear. There is also a visible curved scratch/mark in the sky area of the image. No writing, stamp, or postal cancellation. Please examine both photographs carefully for exact condition.
City: Smyrna / İzmir
Country: Turkey
Region: İzmir Province / Asia Minor
Era: Divided Back (1907–1915)
Approximate Year: c. 1910
Subject: Smyrna City View
Theme: Cities & Towns, Ottoman Empire, International Cities, History
Publisher: Établissements Orosdi-Back
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Postage Condition: Unposted
Type: Printed Postcard
Language: French
Features: Panoramic City View
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