Bidspirit auction | Ottoman Empire Postal Card –

Ottoman Empire Postal Card – “Camp Imperial Jerusalem” – Visit of Emperor Wilhelm II, 1898 - Ottoman Empire, Palestine. Official postal card (Carte Postale) mailed from Jerusalem on 29 October 1898 to Berlin–Schöneberg, Germany, with arrival backstamp dated 10 November 1898. The card bears an Ottoman 20 Para stamp (Scott 96 / Bale 104), cancelled with the rare and special postmark: “Camp Imperial – Jerusalem” (in Turkish and French), used by a temporary post office established on the occasion of the historic visit of German Emperor Wilhelm II to Jerusalem. This cancellation was in use for a very short period only – from 28 October to 4 November 1898 – and is therefore highly desirable in Ottoman and early Palestine postal history. Reverse: pictorial postcard “Gruss aus Palestine / Salutations de Palestine – Le Jourdain, ” published by Kalil Michel & Fils, Bethlehem, Palestine, featuring the Jerusalem Cross emblem and a scenic photograph of the River Jordan with a seated figure in the foreground. Postal details: Addressed to Gertrud Seidel, Berlin–Schöneberg (full address in manuscript). Clear German arrival marking: “Bestell Postamt Schöneberg 10.11.98.” Condition: Very good for its age. Minor age toning and light corner creases. Stamp intact with good margins; cancellation sharp and well struck. An important historical and philatelic item from the Ottoman period in Palestine, connected to one of the most significant diplomatic events in Jerusalem at the end of the 19th century. Items from the collections of Jacob Yablok - VirtualJewishmuseum.com. The items are placed in a quality proactive nylon sleeve and can be easily and safely taken out from the display page. Displayed on a thin cardboard sheet.