Two specimen forms of "Imperial Ottoman Bank". [1863-1924]. French.
Both are marked "Specimen" in red.
1. Promissory note –the bank promises to pay to the holder of this certificate an agreed upon amount after the date appearing on the note. The digits "18" are printed in the space designated for the date.
24X13 cm. Good condition. Stains. Creases and folding marks. Filing holes (slightly affecting text). Uneven trimming at right margin.
2. "Certificat de Dépôt" (deposit certificate). In the space designated for the date appears the digits "19".
24X15 cm. Good condition. Stains. Creases and folding marks. Filing holes. Uneven trimming to right margin.
Imperial Ottoman Bank, founded in 1863 by a consortium of financial companies from England and France, was a private corporation, holding the franchise to issue banknotes and serve as the banking agent of the Ottoman Government. In 1873 the Swiss missionary and banker Johannes Frutiger, opened a bank in Jerusalem and served as the representative of the Imperial Ottoman Bank in Palestine until 1896 when he went bankrupt. In 1905 an official branch of the bank was opened in Jerusalem, and during the following year other branches were opened in Haifa and in Jaffa. In 1924 the bank changed its name to Ottoman Bank. The bank continued to operate in Palestine until 1953, when it was purchased by Bank Mercantile LeIsrael.